Trichoderma inoculation ameliorates arsenic induced phytotoxic changes in gene expression and stem anatomy of chickpea (Cicer arietinum).

Arsenic, a carcinogenic metalloid severely affects plant growth in contaminated areas. Present study shows role of Trichoderma reesei NBRI 0716 (NBRI 0716) in ameliorating arsenic (As) stress on chickpea under greenhouse conditions. Arsenic stress adversely affected seed germination (25%), chlorophyll content (44%) and almost eliminated nodule formation that were significantly restored on NBRI 0716 inoculation. It also restored stem anomalies like reduced trichome turgidity and density, deformation in collenchymatous and sclerenchymatous cells induced by As stress. Semi-quantitative RT-PCR of stress responsive genes showed differential expression of genes involved in synthesis of cell wall degrading enzymes, dormancy termination and abiotic stress. Upregulation of drought responsive genes (DRE, EREBP, T6PS, MIPS, and PGIP), enhanced proline content and shrunken cortex cells in the presence of As suggests that it creates water deficiency in plants and these responses were modulated by NBRI 0716 which provides a protective role. NBRI0716 mediated production of As reductase enzyme in chickpea and thus contributed in As metabolism. The study suggests a multifarious role of NBRI0716 in mediating stress tolerance in chickpea towards As.