THE ROLE OF ENDOPHYTIC FUNGI IN ENHANCING NUTRIENT UPTAKE AND RESISTANCE TO FUNGAL PATHOGENS IN ORGANIC WHEAT CULTIVATION

Abstract

Organic wheat cultivation faces inherent challenges due to restrictions on synthetic inputs, often resulting in compromised yield and increased disease vulnerability. This study evaluated the efficacy of endophytic fungi in improving nutrient uptake and disease resistance in organically managed wheat systems. Field trials and laboratory assays demonstrated that plants inoculated with selected fungal strains showed significant increases in plant height, chlorophyll content, and tiller number. Grain yield improved by up to 75% compared to controls, coinciding with enhanced tissue concentrations of iron and phosphorus. Disease severity was substantially reduced in treated groups, supported by molecular evidence of systemic resistance activation and antimicrobial compound production. Chitin-based foliar treatments further augmented plant immunity and physiological responses. Functional analysis revealed that fungal strains with higher siderophore production and phosphate solubilization indices were most effective in promoting plant health. These findings support the use of endophytic fungi as sustainable biostimulants and biocontrol agents in organic farming. Integrating these biological tools into existing organic systems can significantly boost productivity, resilience, and soil health while reducing dependency on chemical fertilizers and pesticides.