A recent paper published in Archives of Microbiology (2025) reports that extracellular polymeric substances (EPS) produced by the fungus Sarocladium strictum can act as powerful natural elicitors to improve plant resistance and growth.
Researchers from Maria Curie-Skłodowska University and the Łukasiewicz Research Network in Poland isolated S. strictum from the rhizosphere of rye and optimized its EPS production using a sucrose-peptone medium. The strain yielded 1.17 g/L of EPS, composed primarily of glucose, galactose, and mannose, with over 56% sugar content.
When applied to wheat seeds, the EPS substantially increased defense-related enzyme activities—including phenylalanine lyase, tyrosine lyase, β-glucanase, and chitinase—without causing oxidative stress. Plants treated with EPS showed a 30% increase in fresh weight, demonstrating improved vigor and immunity.
Notably, the elicitation effects of S. strictum EPS were comparable or superior to chitosan, a widely used biopolymer in crop protection. This discovery positions fungal EPS as a promising sustainable biostimulant for enhancing crop resistance under natural conditions.
According to researchers, these findings underscore the untapped potential of endophytic fungi, such as Sarocladium, in developing eco-friendly bioformulations for agriculture. Further research could pave the way for commercial EPS-based products that aim to reduce chemical pesticide dependency while maintaining crop yield and health.
Reference
Nowak, A., Tyśkiewicz, R., Komaniecka, I., Pawlik, A., Janusz, G., & Jaroszuk-Ściseł, J. (2025). Characterisation and elicitor properties of extracellular polymeric substances (EPS) obtained from cultures of Sarocladium strictum isolated from rye rhizosphere. Archives of Microbiology, 207(12), 323. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00203-025-04520-y
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