Microbes-mineral interactions enhance nutrient acquisition and physiological adaptation in Glycine max under Sulfur-deficient conditions

Introduction Sulfur is finite source for plants to develop their growth and productivity as well as help in plant's metabolism. Its deficiency causes the chlorosis, and thin stem in plant. Here in Trichoderma reesie (TP-5) was used to compared with other microbes for solubilization of nutrients during sulfur deficiency in soybean. Methods Sulfur solubilizing activity and plant growth-promoting traits were performed in vitro . Further plants were inoculated with microbes under sulfur deficiency to identify the nutrient acquisition, SEM analysis and gene expression. Results The in vitro study results showed that TP-5 has higher sulfur solubilization as well as plant growth-promoting ability. Moreover, in in vivo experiment TP-5 enhances photosynthetic pigment soybean under 25% sulfur deficient condition. Additionally, different stress ameliorating enzymes viz . SOD, CAT, APx, and PPO were also enhanced in TP-5 treated soybean root and shoot. Similarly, macronutrients such as N, P, S, Ca, and K and micro-nutrients B, Co, Cr, Zn, Ni, Fe, and Cu increase in TP-5+25%S treated soybean. The results were further confirmed by qRT-PCR assay, which showed that sulfur metabolism related genes i.e., SULTR1, SAT 2, ATPS, NIR, DES , and GR were highly upregulated in TP-5+25%S treated soybean. Moreover, the colonization of TP-5 in soybean tissue was also validate by SEM analysis. Discussion Conclusively, present investigation gives evidence that TP-5 is efficient to solubilize sulfur, balance the nitrogen and sulfur ratio during abiotic stresses especially nutrient deficient condition.