Transgenerational benefits of endophytes on resilience and antioxidant genes expressions in pea (Pisum sativum L.) under osmotic stress

Water shortage adversely affects many vital physiological processes in plants. In this study, we present the benefit of plant endophytic fungi and bacteria on endophyte-free second-generation Pisum sativum L. seeds arising from drought-stressed plants. Germination percentage, root and shoot length, reactive oxygen species (ROS) accumulation, antioxidant gene expression and protein content was examined in the F2 generation of pea (CDC Golden). The IOP-PDA and PEG media increased water stress, osmotic pressure and dehydration, respectively, to plants grown in vitro. The transgenerational endophyte-mediated benefits to pea can be appreciated by improved seed germination and reduced ROS accumulation levels in plant-roots. qPCR of antioxidants in leaves revealed downregulated proline, superoxide dismutase (SOD), and manganese superoxide dismutase (MnSOD) genes under water-deficient conditions. This finding implies that endophytes can improve pea’s resilience to abiotic stresses. The protein content increased in seeds produced from F1 plants colonized by endophytic Penicilium SMCD2206, Paraconiothyrium SMCD2210 and Streptomyces sp. SMCD2215 strains compared to endophyte-free plants. The results provide new insights into understanding leguminous plant–endophyte interactions under stress. The mechanisms by which transgenerational endophyte-mediated resilience in plants merit further studies under natural field conditions.