MYCOLab Ai Logo - gold and army green

Isolation and characterization of a new Leptobacillium species promoting tomato plant growth

Summary

Researchers discovered a new beneficial fungus called Leptobacillium that lives inside tomato plant roots without causing harm. When tomato seeds were treated with this fungus, the plants grew better, had more chlorophyll in their leaves, and produced tastier fruits with higher levels of lycopene, a beneficial compound in tomatoes. This discovery suggests the fungus could be used to improve tomato crop production naturally, reducing the need for chemical inputs and helping plants cope with heat stress.

Background

Endophytic fungi are microorganisms that colonize plant tissues and can confer beneficial effects including stress resistance and growth promotion. The Leptobacillium genus remains understudied despite its potential for sustainable agriculture. This study reports the discovery of a novel endophytic Leptobacillium species isolated from traditional Spanish tomato genotypes.

Objective

To isolate, characterize, and evaluate a new Leptobacillium fungal strain from healthy tomato roots and assess its ability to promote plant growth and fruit quality in tomato plants under controlled conditions.

Results

Sl27 was identified as a new Leptobacillium species with distinct characteristics from known species. The fungal inoculant showed no detrimental effects on any tomato genotype and significantly enhanced growth parameters in TH-30, including increased shoot and root biomass, chlorophyll content, and lycopene levels in fruits. PCR confirmed successful colonization of inoculated plants.

Conclusion

This novel endophytic Leptobacillium strain shows promise as a bioinoculant for improving tomato plant growth and fruit quality, particularly in genotypes sensitive to heat stress. Further research is needed to determine whether this endophyte can improve abiotic stress tolerance and to explore its agronomic applications in sustainable agriculture.
  • Published in:Scientific Reports,
  • Study Type:Experimental/Isolate Characterization Study,
  • Source: 10.1038/s41598-024-84951-7, PMID: 39762364
Scroll to Top