Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi AMF induced Phytochemical changes in Vinca minor Linn Growing under Himalayan conditions

Abstract

newline ix newlineABSTRACT newlinePhysiological performance of plants in general, particularly cultured plant newlineproductivity and crops quality depend on the rhizosphere characteristic feature, an newlinearea of great interest to plants, producers, consumers and environmental health. newlineAmong the rhizosphere components, arbuscular mycorrhizae are one of the most newlinecommon types of symbiotic associations between some rhizosphere microorganisms newlineand plants roots. AMF leads to the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) newlinewhich stimulates formation of highly active signaling compounds capable of newlinetriggering production of bioactive compounds (secondary metabolites) that enhances newlinethe medicinal value of the plant. Vinca minor, a medicinal plant, was selected in the newlinepresent study. The plant was subjected to AMF namely, Glomus coronatum (10%), newlineGlomus etunicatum (10%) Glomus coronatum + Glomus etunicatum (10%) in order newlineto see their impact on morphological, physiological, biochemical parameters and on newlinetherapeutically active constituents (vincamine). Vinca minor is known to be a valuable newlinemedicinal plant in folk medicine and it also serves as a natural source for the newlineindustrial production of medicaments for stimulating the brain blood flow. The study newlinerevealed that inoculation of AMF cause significant increase in length of root and newlineshoot, plant height, fresh and dry weight, relative water content, membrane stability newlineindex and total chlorophyll. Changes in total carbohydrate, total free amino acid, total newlineprotein content, carotenoids, tocopherol and flavonoids content were also observed. newlineConstitutive activities of CAT, POD, DPPH and ABTS showed an enhancement due newlineto AMF inoculation studied. It is interesting to note that the therapeutically active newlinecompound vincamine was high in AMF inoculated in combination (Glomus newlinecoronatum+ Glomus etunicatum) plants compared to normal grown plants. The newlineresults suggest that V. minor has a protection mechanism against oxidative damage by newlinemaintaining higher constitutive and induced activities of enzymatic and nonenzymatic newlineantioxidants and high content of its therapeutically active constituents. newlineKeywords: AMF, Glomus coronatum, Glomus etunicatum, Vincamine, Medicinal newlineplants, Vinca minor.