Influence of Rhizoglomus irregulare on nutraceutical quality and regeneration of Lycium barbarum leaves under salt stress

Abstract

Whether arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi augment the nutraceutical quality of crops under salt stress is critical as a potential agronomic practice in salinized farmland. To evaluate the effect of Rhizoglomus irregulare on the nutraceutical quality of Lycium barbarum leaves under salt stress, we analyzed growth parameters and the rutin, polysaccharide, acidic polysaccharide, and amino acids contents of 2 harvests. Inoculation of R. irregulare significantly increased the regenerated bud number (partial eta squared (PES) = 0.577, P < 0.0001) and rutin concentration (PES = 0.544, P < 0.001) of L. barbarum leaves, with and without salt stress. The biomass of the 2nd harvest (PES = 0.355, P = 0.0091) and acidic polysaccharide (PES = 0.518, P = 0.001) of L. barbarum leaves were notably enhanced by R. irregulare under 200 mmol/L salt level. Rhizoglomus irregulare had insignificant effect on polysaccharide (PES = 0.092, P = 0.221) and amino acids levels (PES = 0.263, P = 0.130) in the leaves of L. barbarum. However, inoculation by R. irregulare decreased proline level (PES = 0.761, P = 0.001) in the leaves of L. barbarum when subjected to salt stress. Taken together, these results indicate that R. irregulare significantly improved the nutraceutical quality and facilitated the sustainable production of L. barbarum leaves exposed to salt stress.

Investigation of fungal contamination in medicinal and edible Lycii Fructus through DNA metabarcoding

“…Furthermore, Zhang et al (2017) concluded that the Rhizoglomus irregular e, which is an AMF, could improve potassium uptake of L. barbarum root and translocation from root to shoot, increasing the drought tolerance of the plants. Liu et al (2017) assessed the effect of R. irregulare on the nutraceutical quality of L. barbarum leaves, indicating that the inoculation of R. irregular e remarkably increased the biomass of polysaccharide and amino acids of wolfberry leaves. Except for AMF, it has been reported that the investigation of other fungal community can provide references for improving the quality and clinical efficacy of herbs under proper conditions.…”

Genetic Variation in Salt Stress Response and Germplasm Resource Evaluation among <i>Lycium</i> Accessions

“…While an increased potassium content and expression of genes encoding potassium channels may underlying Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungus rhizophagus irregularis-mediated salt resistance in Lycium barbarum [24], potassium transporter LrKUP8 is essential for K + preservation in Lycium ruthenicum, a salt-resistant desert shrub [25]. Given these studies were conducted either with a single gene or with a single species [16] [26] [27], our understanding of the genetic mechanisms underlying Lycium plant's salt-tolerance remains rather poor.…”