LAUSR

The present study aims to explore the alternative way to improve the quality and productivity of rice grown under CO2 stress through an external supplement of Trichoderma as a biofertilizer (BF). The impact of BF-treated rice under elevated CO2 (eCO2) was examined by different plant growth parameters, physiological observations, scanning electron microscopy, microbial community profiling and expression levels of stress-related genes. The effect of eCO2 on percent change in yielding attributes of rice (Heena and Kiran) was found higher in control, whereas it was reduced in the presence of BF. Photosynthetic rate, stomatal conductance and transpiration rate were higher in BF-treated rice under eCO2 condition. SEM analysis of BF-treated roots exhibits an increase in the number of metaxylem along with its diameter with thicker and rigid sclerenchymatous cells. Expression analysis of stress-related genes showed an increase in their mRNA transcripts under eCO2 condition. A significant change in the microbial community was found in the rhizospheric region of Heena treated with BF under eCO2. The current study demonstrates the potential of BF in ameliorating the stress generated as a result of CO2 enrichment.