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Abstract

The recent work aims at the use of Triticum endophytic fungal strain A1 to assess their bioremediation potential and growth restoration of aestivum L. under chromate (Cr+6) stress. The growth of the fungal strain was tested in Cr+6 supplemented media. The strains can withstand up to 300 ppm respectively in the media and effectively bio-transform it to nontoxic form. Supplemented metal’s levels significantly decreased the growth attribute of T. aestivum (p< 0.05). On the other hand, fungal strain rescued the host plant by establishing higher colonization frequency with the host roots. It also enhanced the host plant growth by producing phytohormones and ceasing Cr uptake and accumulation. Nonetheless, the fungus tend to modulate phytohormones production and strengthening antioxidant system of the host. Improvement in the antioxidant system enabled the host plant to produce higher phenolics and flavonoids, and lower peroxidase. Besides, the strains were able to produce higher amounts of phytohormones, and metabolites including IAA, and SA. The expression of the VTL gene in wheat significantly decreased under Cr+6 stress, indicating it’s sensitive to heavy metal toxicity. However inoculation with the fungal strain effectively restored the VTL gene expression indicating its potential role in in chromium stress mitigation and homeostasis. Such activities rendered them as excellent phytostimulants, which can be used as bio-fertilizers in chromium polluted soils.

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