Effect of mycorrhiza (Glomus mosseae) on morphological and biochemical properties of Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera) (L.) Dunal

Abstract

Mycorrhizal inoculation in the plant causing increase in growth and production of phytochemicals is well reported, however little information is available related to the effect of mycorrhiza on morphological and biochemical properties of the medicinal plants like Ashwagandha. The present study is an attempt on diversity analysis in Withania somnifera with an aim to ascertain the nature and extent of genetic diversity present among different accessions in presence of mycorrhiza. The major biochemical constituents of Ashwaganda roots are with nolides which are well known for its medicinal properties. Mycorrhizal associations confer benefits like better nutrition acquisition, enhanced growth, defense enhancement and improved abiotic and biotic stress tolerance in plants. The present investigation was undertaken to assess genetic diversity among five different accessions of W. somnifera using morphological and biochemical markers and the effect of mycorrrhizal inoculation on these marker. The present study concluded that presence of mycorrhiza was effective on plant growth and phytochemical constituents more than non-treated plants. Amongst five selected germplasms IC 283662, JA 134, RAS 23, MPAS 6 and MWS 205 of W. somnifera, JA 134 showed best response in pretext of the selected morphological and biochemical features in presence of mycorrhiza.

Roles of Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi on Plant Growth and Performance: Importance in Biotic and Abiotic Stressed Regulation

“…& Nakai [20], Musa acuminata Colla [21], and Prunus cerasifera L. [22]. In all these species, AMF improved plant growth parameters [10,[12][13][14][15]17] and the uptake of several major nutrients such as nitrogen and phosphorus in stressed conditions [23,24]. This growth stimulation is linked to the fact that AMF extends the absorbing network beyond the nutrient depletion zones of the rhizosphere, which allows access to a larger volume of soil [25].…”

“…AMF significantly improved Cucurbita maxima growth and metabolism, such as the concentrations of fat, crude protein, crude fiber, and carbohydrates in shoot and root systems of inoculated plants compared to control treatment [16]. Inoculation with this fungus significantly increased plant growth as well as phytochemical constituents such as sugar, protein, phenol, tannin, and flavonoid content [15]. In watermelon (Citrullus lunatus Thunb.…”

“…Among beneficial microbes, AMF are one of the most widespread symbiotic fungi colonizing the majority of agricultural plants [11]. The effects of AMF on plant growth and physiological elements contents have been widely studied in many species including relevant crops such as Solanum lycopersicum L. [12,13], Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench [10,14], Withania somnifera (L.) Dunal [15], Cucurbita maxima Duchesne [16], Piper longum L. [17], Phaseolus vulgaris L. [18], Panicum hemitomon Schult [19], and some free fruits such as Citrullus lanatus (Thunb.) Matsum.…”

“…Sm 1982, F. mosseae, Acaulospora longula, and Acaulospora scrobiculata Trappe 1977) some species like Acaulospora scrobiculata are more efficient for improvement of all these parameters in sorghum [10]. The effect of an AMF, F. mosseae was examined regarding the morphological and biochemical properties of different genotypes of the medicinal plant W. somnifera, commonly called Ashwagandha [15]. In addition, several studies reported that the responses of plants to colonization by AMF vary depending on inoculum composition, and a combination of mycorrhizal fungi is more effective than a monospecific inoculum [10,14,17,18].…”

Use of Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi for Vegetable Crops

“…This AMF is a major class which involves molds, mushrooms and yeasts. All these are involved in nutrient enhancement whereas molds are mostly utilized for this purpose in different combinations [8].…”