Expression analysis of salt tolerance gene in root endophytic fungus piriformospora indica
Student name: Ms Aditi Pandit
Guide: Dr Pallavi Somvanshi
Year of completion: 2014
Host Organisation: Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi
Supervisor (Host Organisation): Dr Atul Kumar Johri
Abstract: Salinity is one of the major abiotic stresses that affect the plant growth, development and
productivity. Salinity is a significant problem in agricultural area worldwide. High salinity
affects plants in many ways like water stress, ion toxicity, osmotic stress, nutritional disorders,
oxidative stress, reduction of cell division, cellular integrity, early senescence, decreased
photosynthesis, necrosis and even death of the plants. A lot of studies have already been
conducted showing that genes of Piriformospora indica play an important role under high
salinity. Main objective of the study is focusing on the role of fungus Piriformospora indica in
providing tolerance to plants against saline conditions. In the present study, the salt tolerant
gene i.e. Chitinase-like protein (CLP) is analyzed to assess its role in conferring salt stress in the
fungus. To study the extent of contribution of P.indica in conferring salt stress tolerance, we have
checked for the expression analysis of salt tolerance related gene using RT-PCR and qRT-PCR.
Key words: Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi, Salt stress, Root endophytic fungus, Piriformospora
indica, Chitinase-like protein
