Effect of Quercetin on Mycorrhizal Synthesis between Tuberborchii and Arbutusunedo L. In Vitro Plants

Abstract

Arbutus unedo L. is a Mediterranean species used for fruit production; it is tolerant to drought and shows regeneration ability following forest fires. Mycorrhizal plants with Tuber borchii add resilience and value. This study aims to test the effect of quercetin on mycorrhizal synthesis between T. borchii and A. unedo. Two genotypes selected for fruit production and hydric stress tolerance, were micropropagated for mycorrhizal synthesis, accomplished during ex vitro rooting in perlite, using lyophilized spores of T. borchii suspended in culture media with different quercetin levels (0–10 µM). Six months after inoculation, plants were transferred to pots and maintained in nursery. Ten and 12 months after inoculation, roots were morphological examined and molecularly characterized using ITS1-5.8SITS2 rDNA region and specific primers. Results showed that mycorrhizae establishment was dependent on studied factors (genotype, quercetin level, and culture medium) and their interaction (genotype X culture medium). Quercetin levels up to 2.0 µM favored mycorrhizae establishment and plant growth, although levels superior to 4 µM showed a toxic effect. Quercetin showed to be an efficient factor on inducing mycorrhiza thriving independent of the genotype. Morphological observations and molecular analysis confirmed the permanence of the fungus association 10 and 12 months after inoculation.

Several Characteristics of Oidiodendron maius G.L. Barron Important for Heather Plants’ Controlled Mycorrhization

“…At the same time, quercetin and rutin have been shown to be able to accelerate plant symbionts' growth and development. For example, germination of spores of ectomycorrhizal fungus Tuber borchii was stimulated by quercetin concentrations up to 4 µM [41]; spore germination, mycelium growth, and roots colonization of several species of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi were stimulated by quercetin concentrations from 5 µM [42] to 8 µM of Gigaspora margarita [43].…”

Flavonoid mediated selective cross-talk between plants and beneficial soil microbiome

“…A study has been conducted to investigate the impact of AM symbiosis on flavonoids accumulation in S. rebaudiana , and also trichome quantity and growth Colonized plants had a substantial rise in root and leaf dry mass, along with total leaf surfaces, as compared to non-colonized plant species (Sarmiento-López et al 2021 ). Quercetin, a flavonoid compound was found to be an effective agent in promoting mycorrhizal flourishing regardless of genotype (Gomes et al 2021 ).…”