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<p>This study investigated the combined effect of grafting onto drought-tolerant rootstocks and inoculation with the endophytic fungus <i>Piriformospora indica</i> on drought tolerance and fruit quality in tomato. The main research question was whether combining these approaches mitigates drought-induced oxidative stress while enhancing bioactive compound accumulation and overall fruit nutritional value under limited water availability. A greenhouse factorial experiment was conducted as a completely randomized design (CRD) with three factors and three replications: (i) grafting treatment (non-grafted ‘Super Chief’ vs. grafted onto rootstocks 1616, IR.SR3, and 1626), (ii) <i>P. indica</i> (inoculated vs. non-inoculated), and (iii) irrigation regime (100% field capacity vs. 50% field capacity). Drought was applied from one week after transplanting and maintained for 12 weeks using daily pot weighing. Physiological, oxidative stress, metabolic, and fruit quality/bioactive traits were assessed, with support from correlation analysis and PCA. Drought increased oxidative damage indicators (e.g., H₂O₂ and MDA) and reduced photosynthetic pigments and fruit quality. Grafting and <i>P. indica</i>, particularly in combination, reduced oxidative stress and improved redox-related responses (including changes in antioxidant enzymes such as SOD, APX, PPO, and GPX). These effects were associated with improved pigment retention, better carbohydrate and protein balance, and enhanced fruit quality, including increased levels of vitamin C and β-carotene under drought conditions. PCA and correlation analyses confirmed strong links between oxidative markers, metabolic traits, and fruit quality. Combining grafting with <i>P. indica</i> is a promising strategy to maintain redox stability, support metabolism, and enhance the nutritional/functional quality of tomato fruit under water deficit conditions.</p>

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Piriformospora indica and grafting mitigate drought-induced oxidative stress and enhance fruit quality and bioactive compound accumulation in tomato

  • 期刊论文

  • 出版模式：

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  • 发表日期：

    2026年7月22日

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  • Nazil Vaseghi,
  • Farzad Rasouli,
  • Mashhid Hennareh,
  • Mohammad Ali Aazami,
  • Mahtab Shokati,
  • Arezoo Ajoudani,
  • Mohammad Bagher Hassanpouraghadam,
  • Juan Manuel Ruiz-Lozano

摘要

This study investigated the combined effect of grafting onto drought-tolerant rootstocks and inoculation with the endophytic fungus Piriformospora indica on drought tolerance and fruit quality in tomato. The main research question was whether combining these approaches mitigates drought-induced oxidative stress while enhancing bioactive compound accumulation and overall fruit nutritional value under limited water availability. A greenhouse factorial experiment was conducted as a completely randomized design (CRD) with three factors and three replications: (i) grafting treatment (non-grafted ‘Super Chief’ vs. grafted onto rootstocks 1616, IR.SR3, and 1626), (ii) P. indica (inoculated vs. non-inoculated), and (iii) irrigation regime (100% field capacity vs. 50% field capacity). Drought was applied from one week after transplanting and maintained for 12 weeks using daily pot weighing. Physiological, oxidative stress, metabolic, and fruit quality/bioactive traits were assessed, with support from correlation analysis and PCA. Drought increased oxidative damage indicators (e.g., H₂O₂ and MDA) and reduced photosynthetic pigments and fruit quality. Grafting and P. indica, particularly in combination, reduced oxidative stress and improved redox-related responses (including changes in antioxidant enzymes such as SOD, APX, PPO, and GPX). These effects were associated with improved pigment retention, better carbohydrate and protein balance, and enhanced fruit quality, including increased levels of vitamin C and β-carotene under drought conditions. PCA and correlation analyses confirmed strong links between oxidative markers, metabolic traits, and fruit quality. Combining grafting with P. indica is a promising strategy to maintain redox stability, support metabolism, and enhance the nutritional/functional quality of tomato fruit under water deficit conditions.