Exploring Plant Growth-promoting Fungi from Rhizosphere for Improving Aromatic Rice Growth

Background: The prolonged and unregulated application of inorganic fertilizers and pesticides declines soil productivity and fertility. This scenario has prompted the exploration of environmentally sustainable and economically reasonable alternatives for enhancing crop production. Methods: Therefore, the present investigation focused on the plant-growth-promoting (PGP) activities of fungi isolated from the rhizospheric region of rice plants (Oryza sativa L.) through serial dilution techniques to be utilized as potential biofertilizers. Then they were screened for several plant growth promoting abilities. The most potent one was selected for in vitro growth promotion of aromatic rice. Result: Five fungal strains (NF1, NF2, NF3, SP1 and SP2) with distinct morphological features were isolated and screened for PGP properties. NF3 (Paradendryphiella arenariae) exhibited positive results for most PGP traits and was selected for further investigations. Seed bio-priming of two local aromatic rice cultivars (Gobinda Bhog or GB and Badshah Bhog or BB) with the selected fungal strain enhanced seed germination percentage (1.2-fold), root length (1.25 fold) and shoot length (1.40-fold) and dry weight (1.22-fold and 1.3-fold), along with an increase in tillers per plant (1.6-fold) and elevated pigment production (1.18-fold). The findings provided vital insights for the development of a biofertilizer for aromatic rice. Consequently, further research will be carried out to assess the efficacy of this isolate under field conditions, focusing on the growth, tillering, yield and aroma content of aromatic rice.