Root endophytic fungi are often a critical component of the plant root microbiome. Piriformospora indica is an axenically cultivable endophytic basidiomycete that was originally isolated from the Indian Thar desert. This fungus can colonize the roots of a broad range of plants and provides many beneficial effects including increasing resistance to biotic and abiotic stresses, nutrient uptake and yield. We explored the secondary metabolites produced by this fungus and their involvement in these beneficial effects to host plant systems. To achieve this, P. indica was cultured on 7 different solid media, extracted, and analyzed for in vitro production of secondary metabolites. The extracts were evaluated for their impact on the growth of the model plant Arabidopsis thaliana. Characterization of the secondary metabolite profile of this beneficial endophyte can lead to an improved understanding of these fundamental plant-microbe interactions and can lead to development of bioproducts that can improve crop production and contribute to sustainable crop production.

Investigating secondary metabolites produced by a beneficial root endophyte for improving Canadian Prairie field crops

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