Standardized Conditions to Study Beneficial and Nonbeneficial Traits in the Piriformospora indica/Arabidopsis thaliana Interaction

The endophytic root colonizing fungus, Piriformospora indica, interacts with the model plant Arabidopsis thaliana and promotes growth, biomass, and seed production and also confers resistance against biotic and abiotic stress. To identify genes, proteins, and biomolecules from the plant which are required for the mutualistic interaction between the two symbionts, beneficial and nonbeneficial traits must be measured and accurately quantified during the whole life of the plant. The fungus also enhances host resistance by the activation of induced systemic resistance against Alternaria brassicae and also protects the plant by direct antagonism to the invading pathogens. We have established standardized cocultivation conditions which allow to monitor these traits and which are described in this chapter.