Abstract
Arbuscular mycorrizal (AM) fungi may enhance plant growth and polyphenol production,
however, there have been limited studies on the relationships between root colonization of
different fungal species and polyphenol production on cultivated Allium porrum (garden
leek). The effects of inoculation of AM fungi spores from Rhizophagus intraradices, Giga
-spora margarita, Glomus geosporum, Paraglomus occultum, Claroideoglomus claroideum,
and Glomus species on colonization of garden leek roots and symbiotic changes in polyphenol
production and plant growth were evaluated in greenhouse experiments. There were
significant differences (p < 0.05) in colonization of leek roots by AM fungi species. The
greatest level of root colonization was recorded on plants inoculated with R. intraradices
(73%) and the lowest level on C. claroideum (3.2%). Significant differences (p < 0.05) in
plant height were recorded between AM inoculated plants and the controls. Polyphenol
levels differed significantly (p < 0.05) between garden leek plants inoculated with AM fungi
and the non-inoculated controls. The percentage increases in polyphenol (a derivative of
kaempferol) on garden leeks inoculated with G. geosporum relative to the untreated controls
ranged from 28 to 1123%. Due to symbiosis with different AM species, other polyphenols
decreased in some instances (negative values) and increased in others for values of up to
590%. Results showed that AM fungi species exhibited remarkable differences in polyphenol
levels in garden leeks. The high polyphenol production by garden leek plants inoculated
with G. geosporum, and Glomus species could be exploited for enhanced resistance of garden
leeks to insects and diseases. This research highlights an understudied area, notably the
relationships between AM fungal inoculations, root colonizations and polyphenol production
in garden leeks. The findings can be utilized to improve pest resistance and the quality
of garden leek plants.
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