fungal-inoculants
Fungal inoculants are preparations containing beneficial fungi, such as mycorrhizal species or biocontrol agents, that are intentionally introduced to plant root zones or growing substrates to enhance plant performance. These inoculants can improve nutrient uptake, drought tolerance, and disease resistance by establishing symbiotic or protective relationships with host plants. Research into fungal inoculants is advancing sustainable agriculture by reducing reliance on synthetic fertilizers and pesticides while improving crop resilience and yield.
PubMed · 2026-04-03
Scientists discovered that a salt-tolerant fungus called Tetraploa, when added to wheat roots, boosts wheat growth and grain yield in salty soils by rewiring the plant's own chemical pathways to produce more growth hormones and by improving the surrounding soil microbiome.
The first complete genome of a Tetraploa fungus was assembled, providing a new scientific reference for understanding how this organism helps plants cope with salt stress.
Wheat inoculated with Tetraploa sp. E00680 showed improved yield under both laboratory and real-world saline field conditions, demonstrating practical agricultural potential.
The fungus boosts auxin (plant growth hormone) production in wheat by supplying chemical building blocks from tryptophan metabolism, representing a cross-kingdom metabolic partnership.
