Piriformospora indica (Serendipita indica): The novel symbiont

Abstract

Piriformospora indica (Serendipita indica) (Hymenomycetes, Basidiomycota) is a cultivable endophyte that colonizes roots and has been extensively studied. P. indica has multifunctional activities like plant growth promoter, bio-fertilizer, immune modulator, bioherbicide, phytoremediator, etc. Growth promotional characteristics of P. indica have been studied in enormous number of plants (about 150 plants), and majority of them have shown highly significant outcomes. Certain secondary metabolites from the fungus are reasons behind such promising outputs. Promising outputs of laboratory experiments and small field trials indicated the need for its mass cultivation and usage. For field trials, a formulation "Rootonic" is prepared by mixing P. indica biomass in magnesium sulfite (raw talcum powder). The quantity of formulation (Rootonic) to be used per hectare of land for maximum productivity has also been standardized for about 150 plants. P. Indica has proved to be highly beneficial endophyte with high efficacy in the field. In this chapter, a general view of the journey of P. Indica from laboratory to field and finally toward industrialization is described.