Ameliorative Effect of Serendipita indica in Mitigation of Pesticide-induced Oxidative Stress in Tomato Plants

Pesticides, while essential for crop protection, can induce oxidative damage in plants, disrupting plant physiology and growth. This study investigates the potential of Serendipita indica, a beneficial endophytic fungus, to mitigate pesticide-induced oxidative stress in tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) plants. The MDA, proline, and enzymatic antioxidants (superoxide dismutase and ascorbate peroxidase) level was evaluated in fungi-inoculated and non-inoculated plants. Compared with the uncolonized seedlings, S. indica–colonized seedlings showed reduced levels of MDA and proline content suggesting the potential of S. indica to hinder the accumulation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and reduce the oxidative injury in tomato plants. On inoculation with Serendipita indica, the tomato plants showed enhanced activities of antioxidant enzymes superoxide dismutase, and ascorbate peroxidase in the pesticide-treated plants at four concentrations. At the same time, the increase was seen for all four concentrations of carbofuran while the most significant surge was seen for the recommended dose of 3mg and 5mg/L of carbofuran. As the concentration of pesticide was increased to 7mg and 9mg/L carbofuran the ameliorative effect of the fungi was seen but to a lesser extent. The observed results show enhanced anti-oxidant enzyme activity on inoculation of plants with Serendipita indica, at a recommended dose of pesticide which could be commercially used to minimize the damage caused by the pesticides and enhance the yield of the crop.