Fruit quality and volatile compound composition of processing tomato as affected by fertilisation practices and arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi application

Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) have been used to promote numerous benefits to plants. In this study, we evaluated the symbiosis between AMF species (Rhizophagus clarus, Claroideoglomus etunicatum) and Piper nigrum L. ‘Bragantina’. Volatile compounds, lipoxygenase (LOX) and phenylalanine ammonia-lyase (PAL) activities, and total phenolic content were monitored from 1 to 60 days post-inoculation (dpi). Hyphae, arbuscles, and vesicles were observed during the root colonization. In the leaves, AMF induced an increase of sesquiterpene hydrocarbons (54.0%–79.0%) and a decrease of oxygenated sesquiterpenes (41.3%–14.5%) at 7 dpi and 60 dpi (41.8%–21.5%), respectively. Cubenol, the main volatile compound of leaves, showed a significant decrease at 7 dpi (21.5%–0.28%) and 45 dpi (20.4%–18.42%). β-caryophyllene, the major volatile compound of the roots, displayed a significant reduction at 45 dpi (30.0%–20.0%). LOX increased in the roots at 21, 30, and 60 dpi. PAL was higher in leaves during all periods, except at 60 dpi, and increased at 21 and 45 dpi in the roots. The total phenolic content showed a significant increase only in the roots at 30 dpi. The results suggested that AMF provided changes in the secondary metabolism of P. nigrum, inducing its resistance.

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Influence of colonization by arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi on three strawberry cultivars under salty conditions

Agricultural and Food Science ◽

10.23986/afsci.9552 ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 23 (2) ◽

pp. 146-158 ◽

Cited By ~ 23

Author(s):

Grant Sinclair ◽

Christiane Charest ◽

Yolande Dalpé ◽

Shahrokh Khanizadeh

Keyword(s):

Salt Stress ◽

Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi ◽

Fruit Quality ◽

Mycorrhizal Fungi ◽

Yield Loss ◽

Plant Biomass ◽

Arbuscular Mycorrhizal ◽

The Other ◽

Low Salinity ◽

Shoot Mass

Plant adaptation to hyperosmotic environments is generally associated with reduced growth and ultimately yield loss, making farming difficult. The potential of mycorrhizal symbioses to alleviate salt stress has been documented and benefits to plant revealed to be specific and dependent to both plant cultivars and fungal strains. A factorial greenhouse experiment was performed to determine the effects of three arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) species (Funneliformis caledonius, F. mosseae and Rhizophagus irregularis) on three ‘day-neutral’ strawberry (Fragaria × ananassa Duch.) cultivars (‘Albion’, ‘Charlotte’ and ‘Seascape’), and a mixture of R. irregularis and F. mosseae on ‘Seascape’, under four salt conditions (0–200 mM NaCl). The overall results showed that plant biomass decreased with increasing salinity. The cultivars responded differently to both AMF and salinity, and ‘Seascape’ was more tolerant to salinity than the other cultivars. AMF enhanced plant growth and improved salt tolerance by increasing the proportion of medium (0.5<ɸ≤1.5 mm) and coarse (ɸ>1.5 mm) diameter roots. The mixture of two AMF species increased root and shoot mass to a higher degree than each species alone at low salinity (0–50 mM) but reduced fruit quality. At higher levels (100–200 mM), R. irregularis alleviated salt stress and improved fruit quality to a higher degree than the other AMF species. Our results support the use of bio-inoculants in saline horticultural areas. Because cultivars respond differently to fungal inoculants, and inoculants prefer specific environmental conditions, fungal inoculants need to be screened on a cultivar- and condition-specific basis.

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