The influence of root endophyte fungus Piriformospora indica on some crop plants was
studied under pot conditions. The investigated plants were Vicia faba, Lupinus termis, Arachis hypogaea and Hibiscus sabdariffa. The presence of root endophyte fungus Piriformospora indica resulted significant increasing in plant biomass i.e. fresh, dry weight
and length for both root and shoot compared with the non-colonized plants for all tested
plants. Photosynthetic pigments content in leaves plant tissue appeared significant increasing
in colonized plants compared to non-colonized plants in all tested plants, increasing ratio of
total photosynthetic pigments were 21%, 50%, 16% and 13% in cases V. faba, L. termis and
- hypogaea, H. sabdariffa, respectively. The soluble proteins of various tested plants exhibited higher contents in colonized plants by P. indica than those of non-colonized plants.
Moreover, enhance water relations where transpiration rate showed a significant increase in
colonized plants by P. indica. Enhancement percentages were 14%, 64%, 121% and 92% in
- faba, L. termis, A. hypogaea and H. sabdariffa, respectively. Sodium content in colonized
plants appeared decreasing content compered to non-colonized plants. Decreasing ratios were
16%, 10%, 13% and 20% in V. faba, L. termis, A. hypogaea and H. sabdariffa, respectively.
Furthermore, calcium content in colonized plants was better than calcium content in noncolonized plants. Where, increasing ratios were, 25%, 40%, 30% and14% in V. faba, L.
termis, A. hypogaea and H. sabdariffa, respectively. Finally, potassium content appeared
significant increasing in colonized plants 25%, 16%, 40% and 45% in V. faba, L. termis, A.
hypogaea and H. sabdariffa, respectively compared to non-colonized plants.