MYCOLab Ai Logo - gold and army green

Leucocalocybe mongolica Fungus Enhances Rice Growth by Reshaping Root Metabolism, and Hormone-Associated Pathways

Summary

Researchers discovered that a special fungus called Leucocalocybe mongolica, when added to soil, significantly improves rice plant growth without requiring chemical fertilizers. Plants grown in fungus-treated soil developed more branches (tillers), had longer roots, and contained more chlorophyll, making them greener and healthier. The study revealed that the fungus works by altering soil nutrients and triggering specific genes in rice roots that boost growth-promoting hormones and improve how plants process energy.

Background

Rice is a staple food crop facing challenges from declining soil fertility and environmental stresses. Leucocalocybe mongolica, a wild edible mushroom native to Asian grasslands, has demonstrated plant growth-promoting capabilities in natural fairy ring ecosystems without fertilizer application. The LY9 strain derived from this fungus shows potential as a sustainable soil amendment for agriculture.

Objective

This study investigated the effects of LY9-transformed soil on rice growth and development through comprehensive physiochemical, phenotypic, transcriptomic, and metabolomic analyses. The research aimed to elucidate the molecular mechanisms underlying LY9-mediated growth promotion in rice plants.

Results

LY9-treated soil significantly improved soil nutrient availability and rice phenotypes, including increased tillering (up to 20.29 tillers vs. 9 in control), enhanced root length (52.5 cm vs. 42 cm), and elevated chlorophyll content (1.21 mg/g vs. 0.38 mg/g). Transcriptomic analysis identified 2,612 upregulated and 3,419 downregulated genes, with significant alterations in nitrogen metabolism, photosynthesis, hormone signaling, and amino acid biosynthesis pathways. Metabolomic profiling revealed more than 2-fold increases in tryptophan and auxin biosynthesis-related compounds.

Conclusion

LY9-transformed soil enhances rice growth through coordinated modulation of nitrogen metabolism, photosynthetic efficiency, and hormone signaling pathways, particularly auxin and gibberellin biosynthesis. These findings demonstrate the potential of Leucocalocybe mongolica as a sustainable soil amendment for improving rice productivity while providing molecular insights into plant-fungal interactions in agricultural systems.
  • Published in:Rice (N Y),
  • Study Type:Experimental Research Study,
  • Source: PMC12170973, PMID: 40522605, DOI: 10.1186/s12284-025-00813-4
Scroll to Top