Effects of different inoculation methods of Serendipita indica on some morphophysiological, biochemical, and yield traits of tomato under drought stress

Serendipita indica transfers several benefits to hosts including enhancing plant growth and tolerance to abiotic stress. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of different Serendipita indica inoculants on some morphophysiological, biochemical, and yield traits of tomato under drought stress. This experiment was conducted as a factorial experiment in a completely randomized design with three replications in Malayer greenhouse complex. The experimental factors included two drought stress levels (F.C. and 50% F.C.) and four fungal inoculants (P0: uninoculated; P1: spore suspension; P2: mycelium suspension; P3: foliar application of culture filtrate). The results showed that drought stress significantly decreases fruit weight, RWC, chlorophyll, total soluble carbohydrate, proline, K and P; whereas inoculation with different fungus inoculants especially mycelium suspension filtrate enhanced traits such as RWC (5.5%), Chlorophyll (2.6 times), carotenoid (17%), phosphorous (47%), and fruit weight (48%) and mitigate the adverse effect of drought stress. Drought stress with increasing electrolyte leakage causes membrane instability, but inoculation with S. indica decreased lipid peroxidation. Among the inoculums, mycelium suspension filtrate had the best results. The results indicated the positive effect of different inoculums of S. indica on yield and physiological traits of tomato. The use of mycelium as a liquid plant-stimulating biofertilizer offers novel opportunities for the employment of S. indica in sustainable agriculture.