From Piriformospora indica to Rootonic: A review

Abstract

Piriformospora indica (Hymenomycetes, Basidiomycota) is a cultivable endophyte that colonizes roots and has been extensively studied. P. indica has multifunctional activities like plant growth promoter, biofertilizer, immune-modulator, bioherbicide, phytoremediator, etc. Growth promotional characteristics of P. indica have been studied in enormous number of plants and majority of them have shown highly significant outcomes. Certain secondary metabolites from the fungus are reasons behind such promising outputs. Effect of P. indica has been studied on more than 150 plants. Promising outputs of laboraatory experiments and small field trials indicated the need for its mass cultivation and usage. For field trials, a formulation “Rootonic” was prepared by mixing P. indica biomass in magnesium sulphite. The quantity of formulation (Rootonic) to be used per acre of land for maximum productivity has also been standardized for about 50 plants. P. indica has proved to be highly beneficial endophyte with high efficacy