The symbiotic relationship between arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) and the majority of terrestrial plants is one of the most beneficial interactions that occurs in nature. AMF play a major role in plants’ nutrient uptake from soil, and can protect plants from a variety of both abiotic and biotic stresses. Manganese (Mn) is a micronutrient element essential for normal plant growth and development. However, excessive levels of Mn in the soil can be damaging to the plants. High levels of Mn are often associated with acidic soils, and it has been observed that wheat plants can exhibit symptoms of Mn toxicity if grown in these conditions. This work aimed to determine the effect of AMF inoculation on wheat (Triticum aestivum L. var. Ardila), in a context of manganese toxicity, as well as on the expression of genes related to oxidative stress responses and on total oxygen reactive species (ROS) production. Wheat plants were grown in greenhouse conditions, in pots with sterilized soil, and half of the plants were inoculated with the AMF Rhizoglomus irregulare. Half of the pots were supplemented with 7.5 ppm of Mn to promote a Mn stress condition. The weight of the plants was measured after 7 weeks, and the samples of aerial parts were taken for the real-time qPCR analysis of genes related to oxidative stress response (SOD1, GPx, APx, and Trx).

AMF colonization enhanced wheat growth, more evident in the Mn addition treatment. Furthermore, AMF increased SOD1 expression in the Mn treatment, whereas GPx and TRx showed a decreasing trend in inoculated plants, for both Mn conditions. APx showed no differences amongst treatments. AMF significantly decreased total ROS in the Mn treatment. This work underscores that AMF have an impact on wheat oxidative stress responses, offering insights into the broader goal of developing crop varieties more tolerant to abiotic stresses.