Piriformospora indica is an endophytic fungus with plant-promoting properties in a wide range of host plants. This study aimed to assess and compare the effects of different P. indica inoculants through morphological and physiological analysis at different times (4, 8, and 12 weeks) after inoculation. The study was conducted in a completely randomized design with three levels of fungus inoculation (non-inoculated, inoculated with P. indica spore and mycelium). The results showed that both P. indica inoculants have a positive effect on measured traits at different times after inoculation. Root and shoot dry weight were increased significantly at 4, 8, and 12 weeks after inoculation. P. indica improved the reproductive phase of tomato resulting in increased dry weight of fruits by up to 51%. Most importantly, the endophyte enhanced tomato fruit yield by up to 73%. Based on experiment data, P. indica increased total chlorophyll (25%), protein (143%), and carbohydrate (44%) content in inoculated plants compared to non-inoculated plants. Besides, P. indica promoted the antioxidant capacity of inoculated plants by increasing CAT and APX activity. In our study, plant inoculation with P. indica also remarkably led to an increase in K (172%) and P (41%) content. Our data showed that both P. indica spore and mycelium have a long-term effect on tomato growth. The application of fungus inoculants promotes plant growth and yield. Hence, P. indica represents a suitable plant-stimulating biofertilizer for tomato in sustainable agriculture. Manuscript profile

In the last years, there is a growing demand for plants used in traditional medicine. Licorice (Glycyrrhiza glabra) contains different phytocompounds, that have demonstrated various pharmacological activities. The endophytic fungus, Piriformospora indica, has been reported to enhance the growth of host plants and allow them to survive under abiotic and biotic stress. This study was undertaken to investigate the effect of P. indica on drought stress tolerance of G. glabra. The experiment was conducted in a completely randomized design with three fungus treatments (spore, mycelium and non-inoculated), and two levels of drought treatments (Filed capacity and 50% F.C.) in three replications. Four weeks after stress induction (six weeks after inoculation), samples were collected and, growth and morpho-physiological traits were measured. The drought stress decreased shoot, and root dry weight, chlorophyll content, potassium, and phosphorus content and increased electrolyte leakage, H2O2, proline, and Na; but, the interaction of licorice with P. indica resulted in an overall increase in plant biomass. The photosynthetic pigment (Chl a, Chl b, total Chl, and carotenoid), proline, K, and P were significantly higher for inoculated seedling. Furthermore, the inoculated seedling had lower H2O2, electrolyte leakage, and Na content. In conclusion, our findings indicated that the symbiotic association of endophytic fungus P. indica had a positive effect on growth and morpho-physiological traits and also can help the plants to tolerate drought stress. These results are opening up a window of opportunity for application of this fungus in desert agriculture of medicinal plants. Manuscript profile