scholarly journals Saffron Cultivation in Marginal Alpine Environments: How AMF Inoculation Modulates Yield and Bioactive Compounds

Agronomy ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
pp. 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Matteo Caser ◽  
Íris Marisa Maxaieie Victorino ◽  
Sonia Demasi ◽  
Andrea Berruti ◽  
Dario Donno ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Antioxidant Activity ◽  
Bioactive Compounds ◽  
Mycorrhizal Fungi ◽  
Arbuscular Mycorrhizal ◽  
Single Species ◽  
Crocus Sativus ◽  
Limited Information ◽  
Medicinal And Aromatic Plants ◽  
Flower Production ◽  
Yield And Quality

Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) establish mutualistic symbiotic associations with plant roots and act as biofertilizers by enhancing plant nutrient and water uptake. Moreover, AMF colonization may influence the biosynthesis of plant bioactive compounds in medicinal and aromatic plants. There is limited information on AMF associations with Crocus sativus L. (saffron) roots and their effect on crop performances and spice quality. In the present work we verified the efficiency of root mycorrhization in potted conditions, then we evaluated the yield and quality of the saffron produced in two Alpine sites during two cultivation cycles with the application of AMF. Two inocula were applied, either a single-species (Rhizophagus intraradices) or a multi-species mixture (R. intraradices and Funneliformis mosseae). The trial conducted in potted conditions confirmed that both AMF commercial inocula established symbiotic relationships with saffron roots. The multi-species inoculation yielded the highest content of arbuscules in colonized portions of the root (100%), while the single-species was slightly less (82.9%) and no AMF were recorded in untreated control corms. In open-field conditions, AMF colonization of the root systems, flower production, and saffron yields were monitored, and bioactive compounds contents and antioxidant activity in the dried spice were analysed using spectrophotometry and high performance liquid chromatography. Overall, the saffron produced was high quality (ISO category) and had high contents of bioactive compounds, with very high total polyphenol content and elevated antioxidant activity. The use of arbuscular mycorrhizal symbionts as biostimulants positively affected saffron cultivation, improving the crop performances and the content of important nutraceutical compounds. In particular, the inoculum composed by R. intraradices and F. mosseae increased flower production and the saffron yield. R. intraradices alone enhanced the spice antioxidant activity and the content of bioactive compounds such as picrocrocin, crocin II, and quercitrin. Since saffron is the world’s highest priced spice, the increases in yield and quality obtained using AMF suggests that farms in marginal areas such as alpine sites can increase profitability by inoculating saffron fields with arbuscular mycorrhiza.

scholarly journals Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi Modulate the Crop Performance and Metabolic Profile of Saffron in Soilless Cultivation

Agronomy ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (5) ◽  
pp. 232 ◽  
Author(s):  
Matteo Caser ◽  
Sonia Demasi ◽  
Íris Marisa Maxaieie Victorino ◽  
Dario Donno ◽  
Antonella Faccio ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Antioxidant Activity ◽  
Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi ◽  
Open Field ◽  
Mycorrhizal Fungi ◽  
Climatic Factors ◽  
Arbuscular Mycorrhizal ◽  
Bioactive Compound ◽  
Single Species ◽  
Crocus Sativus ◽  
Alternative Cultivation

Saffron (Crocus sativus L.) is cultivated worldwide. Its stigmas represent the highest-priced spice and contain bioactive compounds beneficial for human health. Saffron cultivation commonly occurs in open field, and spice yield can vary greatly, from 0.15 to 1.5 g m−2, based on several agronomic and climatic factors. In this study, we evaluated saffron cultivation in soilless systems, where plants can benefit from a wealth of nutrients without competition with pathogens or stresses related to nutrient-soil interaction. In addition, as plant nutrient and water uptake can be enhanced by the symbiosis with arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF), we also tested two inocula: a single species (Rhizophagus intraradices) or a mixture of R. intraradices and Funneliformis mosseae. After one cultivation cycle, we evaluated the spice yield, quality (ISO category), antioxidant activity, and bioactive compound contents of saffron produced in soilless systems and the effect of the applied AMF inocula. Spice yield in soilless systems (0.55 g m−2) was on average with that produced in open field, while presented a superior content of several health-promoting compounds, such as polyphenols, anthocyanins, vitamin C, and elevated antioxidant activity. The AMF symbiosis with saffron roots was verified by light and transmission electron microscopy. Inoculated corms showed larger replacement corms (+50% ca.). Corms inoculated with R. intraradices performed better than those inoculated with the mix in terms of spice quality (+90% ca.) and antioxidant activity (+88% ca.). Conversely, the mixture of R. intraradices and F. mosseae increased the polyphenol content (+343% ca.). Thus, soilless systems appeared as an effective alternative cultivation strategy for the production of high quality saffron. Further benefits can be obtained by the application of targeted AMF-based biostimulants.

scholarly journals A symbiotic balancing act: arbuscular mycorrhizal specificity and specialist fungus gnat pollination in the mycoheterotrophic genus Thismia (Thismiaceae)

2019 ◽  
Vol 124 (2) ◽  
pp. 331-342 ◽  
Author(s):  
Xing Guo ◽  
Zhongtao Zhao ◽  
Shek Shing Mar ◽  
Dianxiang Zhang ◽  
Richard M K Saunders
Keyword(s):  
Mycorrhizal Fungi ◽  
Arbuscular Mycorrhizal ◽  
Single Species ◽  
Symbiotic Association ◽  
Mycorrhizal Associations ◽  
Fungus Gnats ◽  
Floral Phenology ◽  
Fungus Gnat ◽  
Below Ground ◽  
Yellow Pigments

Abstract Background and Aims Mycorrhizal associations in mycoheterotrophic plants are generally more specialized than in autotrophs. Mycoheterotrophs typically bear small, inconspicuous flowers that often self-pollinate to maximize seed set, although some have structurally complex flowers indicative of xenogamy. A trade-off has previously been proposed between specialization in these above- and below-ground symbioses, although empirical data are lacking. Methods We used next-generation DNA sequencing to compare the mycorrhizal communities from the roots of a mycoheterotrophic species, Thismia tentaculata (Thismiaceae), and its neighbouring autotrophs. We furthermore conducted detailed assessments of floral phenology and pollination ecology, and performed artificial pollination experiments to determine the breeding system. Key Results Thismia tentaculata maintains a symbiotic association with a single arbuscular mycorrhizal Rhizophagus species. The flowers are pollinated by a single species of fungus gnats (Corynoptera, Sciaridae), which are attracted by the yellow pigments and are temporarily restrained within the perianth chamber before departing via apertures between the anthers. The plants are self-compatible but predominantly xenogamous. Conclusions Our findings demonstrate that T. tentaculata maintains highly specialized associations with pollinators and mycorrhizal fungi, both of which are widely distributed. We suggest that specialization in multiple symbiotic interactions is possible in mycoheterotrophs if redundant selective pressures are not exerted to further restrict an already constrained suite of life-history traits.

Rhizosphere dynamics influenced by arbuscular mycorrhizal fungus (Glomus deserticola) and related changes in leaf nutrient status and yield of Kinnow mandarin {King (Citrus nobilis) × Willow Leaf (Citrus deliciosa)}

2004 ◽  
Vol 55 (5) ◽  
pp. 571 ◽  
Author(s):  
K. Usha ◽  
A. Saxena ◽  
B. Singh
Keyword(s):  
Mycorrhizal Fungi ◽  
Root Exudation ◽  
Mycorrhizal Fungus ◽  
Soil Nutrient ◽  
Arbuscular Mycorrhizal ◽  
Nutrient Status ◽  
Fruit Yield ◽  
Yield And Quality ◽  
Kinnow Mandarin ◽  
Glomus Deserticola

Rhizosphere modification through root exudation is an important attribute that regulates not only the availability of nutrients in the soil but also their acquisition by plants. To test the above, 10-year-old Kinnow mandarin plants budded on Troyer citrange were inoculated with arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) (Glomus deserticola) and Azotobacter chroococcum in different combinations with organic-farm-yard manure (FYM) and inorganic fertilisers in February when the root system was active. Plants with FYM alone were treated as a control. In the present investigation, a higher release of organic acids such as malic, citric, shikimic, and fumaric acids was evident from symbiotic roots of Kinnow inoculated with AMF (G. deserticola). Soil pH decreased significantly from 8.5 before the start of the experiment to 6.4 at the end of the experiment in the treatment where G. deserticola was applied with FYM. A decrease in soil EC and organic carbon, and an increase in soil availability of N, P, and K, leaf nutrient status, and fruit yield and quality were observed when the plants were inoculated with G. deserticola compared with all other treatments. This study indicates that G. deserticola, when compared with A. chroococcum, modifies the rhizosphere favourably to improve soil nutrient availability and consequent uptake by plants and thus result in better growth, fruit yield, and quality of Kinnow.

Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi on growth, nutrient status, and total antioxidant activity of Melilotus albus during phytoremediation of a diesel-contaminated substrate

2012 ◽  
Vol 95 ◽  
pp. S319-S324 ◽  
Author(s):  
Herminia Alejandra Hernández-Ortega ◽  
Alejandro Alarcón ◽  
Ronald Ferrera-Cerrato ◽  
Hilda Araceli Zavaleta-Mancera ◽  
Humberto Antonio López-Delgado ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Antioxidant Activity ◽  
Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi ◽  
Mycorrhizal Fungi ◽  
Arbuscular Mycorrhizal ◽  
Nutrient Status ◽  
Total Antioxidant Activity ◽  
Total Antioxidant ◽  
Melilotus Albus

scholarly journals Mycorrhiza-induced Changes in Partitioning and Composition Alters Flower and Vegetative Production of Floral Geophytes

HortScience ◽  
2004 ◽  
Vol 39 (4) ◽  
pp. 767C-767
Author(s):  
Carolyn Scagel*
Keyword(s):  
Mycorrhizal Fungi ◽  
Glomus Intraradices ◽  
Arbuscular Mycorrhizal ◽  
Growth Cycle ◽  
Flower Production ◽  
Freesia Hybrida ◽  
Resource Storage ◽  
Induced Changes ◽  
Amf Inoculation

Resource partitioning and plant storage components are important factors that influence the productivity and profitability of geophyte species produced as floral crops. We determined that inoculation with arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) can alter different plant characteristics affecting productivity and quality of bulb and cut flower production of several floral geophytes including Brodiaea laxa, Zephyranthes sp., Sparaxis tricolor, Freesia × hybrida, Zantedeschia sp., and Canna sp. Plant growth, flower production, bulb/corm/tuber (bulb) production and composition were measured for two growth cycles after inoculation with Glomus intraradices. In general, shoots and flowers on plants inoculated with AMF emerged earlier than shoots and flowers on non-inoculated plants for species that produced most of their leaf area prior to flower emergence. However for species that produced leaves throughout the growth cycle or large flowers early in the growth cycle, AMF inoculation delayed shoot emergence and flower emergence. Many species that exhibited an earlier flower emergence or produced more flowers in response to AMF inoculation also produced smaller daughter bulbs and more offsets than non-inoculated plants. Across all species, the concentrations and contents of several storage components (Zn, S, and N, amino acids, and carbohydrates) that influence bulb quality were increased by AMF inoculation. Changes in partitioning between bulb and flower production resulting from AMF inoculation altered important aspects of commercial geophyte production for flowers or bulbs. AMF-induced increases in mineral uptake and resource storage are also related to aspects of quality important in the production of vegetative propagates.

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