Mangrove-Associated Endophytic Filamentous Fungus Aspergillus Niger KCRE2202F for The Mangrove Plant Growth Promotion

Abstract

Microorganisms, including plant growth-promoting fungi (PGPF), serve as sustainable and environment-friendly agents to enhance plant productivity. The present study investigates the potential role of PGPF in mangrove plant growth promotion. A total of 466 filamentous fungal isolates were isolated from the Bhitarkanika mangrove ecosystem of Odisha from different plant parts and associated soil of the dominant mangrove species. Diverse plant growth-promoting potentials of these isolates, including phosphate, zinc, and potassium solubilization, were screened. The secretion of hydrolytic enzymes, such as cellulase, xylanase, and lignin peroxidase, as well as the production of ammonia, indole-3-acetic acid (IAA), and siderophore, were also checked. The most potent PGPF was identified as Aspergillus niger KCRE2202F, and this filamentous fungus with the ability to form biofilm was found to increase different plant parameters, including fresh weight (2.89 ± 0.43 fold), dry weight (3.16 ± 0.71 fold), plant height (1.35 ± 0.10 fold), and photosynthetic pigment (~1.5 fold) levels significantly (p