Seed coating of native Rhizophagus irregularis and Funneliformis sp for improved production and moisture stress mitigation in finger millet, Eleusine coracana

Abstract

Abstract Background Commercial application of Bio-stimulants like AM fungi is limited due to higher quantity of inoculum required per unit area and per crop. AM fungal spore seed coating has the advantage of lowering dosage while simultaneously improving growth and yield metrics. In the present study, seed coating of two native AM fungi were evaluated for the first time to improve the production of finger millet under water deficit condition.Methods Two potential native AM fungi were identified using ITS primers. Seed coating method was standardized and combined and single inoculation of AM fungi was evaluated under water deficit conditions in finger millet. The Bio chemical, physiological, antioxidant properties and yield parameters were recorded and their root metabolites were analysed.Result Two potential native AM fungi were identified as Rhizophagus irregularis (OQ428879.1) and Funneliformis sp (OQ379911.1). Seed coating with combined inoculation of native AM fungi in finger millet significantly improved plant growth, yield parameters and root colonization potential under 50% deficit irrigated conditions. Similarly, this dual inoculation improved soil glomalin content, phosphatase activity, Cholorophyll stability index and antioxidant properties. Metabolomic study showed the presence of new compounds with fatty acid biosynthesis as predominant pathway, whereas glycolysis metabolism was predominant in AM fungi as soil inoculum.Conclusion Seed coating of Rhizophagus irregularis and Funneliformis sp. not only reduced the dosage to a tune of 150 to 200 g for one hectare seeds but also increased yield of 14.52% and improved soil biochemical, antioxidant properties of finger millet under water deficit conditions.