Abstract The aim of present study was calculate the Minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) of silver nanoparticles and clotrimazole for Candida species and their interaction by the adaptation of standarized methods. The MICs values of clotrimazole were 9 E-04-3 E-03 ug/ml, 0.1-0.6 ug/ml, 3 E-03- 0.1 ug/ml and 3 E-03-0.3 ug/ml for Candida albicans susceptible to fluconazole, Candida albicans resistance to fluconazole, Candida krusei and Candida parapsilosis respectively. The MICs values of silver nanoparticles were 26.50- 53 ug/ml; 26.50-106 ug/ml; 106-212 ug/ ml and 26.50- 53 ug/ml for Candida albicans susceptible to fluconazole, Candida albicans resistance to fluconazole, Candida krusei and Candida parapsilosis respectively. Synergism between clotrimazole and silver nanoparticles was measured by checkerboard BMD (broth microdilution) test and shown only for C. albicans susceptible to fluconazole because the fractional inhibitory concentrations (FICs) values were 0.07 - 0.15 ug/ml. Indifference was shown for the other species tested because the FICs values were between 0.5 - 2- 3.06 ug/ml. The results suggest synergistic activity depending on the fungus species analysed, however we recommend the incorporation of others measurement methodologies to confirm our results. As for measurement methodologies of MICs of silver nanoparticles and clotrimazole international normative were respected to guarantee reproducible and comparable results.

Abstract: Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) establish an obligate mutualistic symbiosis with many plant species, increasing the uptake of phosphorous and other low-mobile nutrients by roots. In addition, AMF improve biotic and abiotic stress tolerance of host plants. Under these conditions, reactive oxygen species (ROS) increase occasional damage to proteins, lipids and DNA. Antioxidative enzymes in plants can play an important role in detoxifying ROS, thereby alleviating oxidative stress. In nursery practices, plants are subjected at least to two transplant conditions before being transplanted outside. It is important to achieve an optimal plant size to withstand environmental or other stresses when plants are transplanted into the field. The transplantation process can be considered a stress because plants have to adapt to new abiotic and biotic (rhizospheric) conditions. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of two Rhizophagus intraradices (N.C. Schenck & G.S. Sm.) C. Walker & A. Schüßler strains, GA5 and GC2, single and co-inoculated under two-transplant soil conditions, sterile and non-sterile, using cuttings of pomegranate (Punica granatum L.) as a model plant. These results showed that the GA5 single strain-inoculated plants improved growth and antioxidative enzyme responses to two transplant stress conditions. In conclusion, early mycorrhizal inoculation generates healthy plants that are more protected against environmental conditions, thereby improving plant transplant stress tolerance.