Piriformospora indica in Improving Stress Resistance in Horticultural Plants: Function and Mechanism

Horticultural plants are exposed to multiple environmental stresses that compromise both vegetative growth development and final crop production. Piriformospora indica, a mycorrhizal-like fungus that can be cultivated axenically, promotes plant growth and stress tolerance. There is currently compelling experimental evidence that P. indica is involved in the plant stress response. This narrative review mainly focuses on the ability of P. indica to induce defense responses by enhancing antioxidant enzyme activities, regulating membrane peroxidation, promoting photosynthesis, and reducing the accumulation of ROS, thereby ultimately improving plant stress tolerance. Future research may focus on deciphering the intricate mechanisms by which P. indica, gasotransmitters, and transcription factors coregulate plant growth during stress.