Effect of Quercetin and Pectinase on Spore Germination and Hyphal Growth of Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi and Biomass Production of Nicotiana tabacum L. and Calopogonium mucunoides desv

The aim of this study was to evaluate the ability of mycorrhizal fungi to rapidly colonize roots of host plants and to predict their competitive advantage over native strains. Different concentrations of quercetin and pectinase were used to stimulate hyphal growth and to determine the germination rate of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) in a Petri dish. The best strains were used to inoculate two host plants under green house conditions in the presence of high concentrated polyphenol and enzyme. The essays were carried out in the laboratory of biotechnology center; University of Yaounde I. Five strains of AMF from Cameroonian’s soils were identified and compared with exotic strain. Water agar 0.7% was mixed with three different concentrations of quercetin (0, 2.5 and 5 µM) and pectinase (0, 1.6 and 3.2 units/ml). Nicotiana tabacum and Calopogonium mucunoides were used to determine the root colonisation percent of AMF and shoot biomass after inoculation.

Results showed that for most species of AMF, 5% quercetin and 3.2 units/ml of pectinase significantly stimulate in vitro spore germination and hyphal growth. Treatment combining quercetin and pectinase could lead to a synergetic effect on mycorrhizal symbiosis and plant performance.

These compounds which can modify the symbiosis physiology may be of great importance in the regulation of plant and soil microbe interaction. They could also contribute in stimulating the growth of these strict biotrophic fungi under in vitro culture, and to enhance an increase in plant biomass.