Rafiq Lone

AMF association and their effect on metabolite mobilization, mineral nutrition and nitrogen assimilating enzymes in saffron (Crocus sativus) plant

ABSTRACT Mycorrhizae are fungal symbionts forming mutualistic relationship with plant roots. Literature about the rhizsospheric mycrorrhizal diversity of saffron and its role in growth, yield and quality of saffron is very scarce. In this study association of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) with the saffron plant was analyzed. Saffron plant shows the high incidence of AMF colonization. It was observed that corm, despite being the modified stem, shows AMF colonization. The study was further extended to know the influence of AMF on growth of the saffron plant under pot culture conditions. The corms of saffron are shown to present a higher level of metabolites, mineral nutrition in the mycorrhizal ones as compared to the non-inoculated ones. Our results show a promising potential of AM fungi in saffron production for enhancing metabolites like carbohydrates, protein and phenolics and mineral nutrition in corm and nitrogen assimilating enzymes in plant.

Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi for Sustainable Agriculture

Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) have obligatory symbiotic relationship with more than 80% of terrestrial plant species. AMF symbiosis acclimatizes plants for their better survival, enhanced growth and development in biotic as well abiotic environment, thereby promoting sustainable growth and development of plants. Being highly competitive and better suited, plants with AMF association with ease tolerate environmental stress to face plethora of various biotic as well as abiotic changes. These fungal symbionts offer an eco-friendly biological sound substitute to chemical fertilizers and pesticides for managing both plant quality and quantity in agriculture, horticulture and forestry. AMF are now regarded as the cornerstone of sustainable agriculture; as such, there is a necessity to accelerate their integration in agricultural production systems. It becomes important now that soil scientists and agriculturalists pay due attention to the management of AMF in the formal way to increase, restore or maintain soil fertility which indirectly influences the growth and development of plant. Present review emphasizes the mycorrhizal symbiosis as a keystone to plant productivity and diversity because of their influence on almost all metabolic processes of plants and maintains and, in many cases, stimulates plant growth and development due to their diverse functionality/benefits to host plant, consolidated here.

Cinnamate and cinnamate derivatives in plants

Cinnamic acid, an ubiquitous alpha beta unsaturated acid, upon hydroxylation yields p-hydroxy cinnamic acid or p-coumarate, a plant mono phenol. Being, precursor for the production of various di (lignans), polyphenols (lignins) and also substituted derivatives, it seems to be an important aromatic chemical in growth and development of plants. This aromatic chemical substance synthesized primarily by almost all forms of plants, seemingly involves in the regulation of various physiological processes. The presence of this ubiquitous plant alpha beta unsaturated acid and its derivatives have been adopted by plants for various mechanisms. An effort towards the consolidation of these is made here.

Influence of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi on storage metabolites, mineral nutrition, and nitrogen-assimilating enzymes in potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) plant

ABSTRACT Mycorrhizae are fungal symbionts forming mutualistic relationship with plant roots. In this study, surface-sterilized potato tubers were sown in earthen pots filled with sterile soil. Half of the pots were inoculated with sterilized arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) spores and sterilized inoculated maize root fragments, and another half without any AMF inoculation representing control. Inoculation was done twice 3 days before sowing the tubers and on the onset of seedling emergence. Plants, along with their controls, were sampled at 20-day intervals upto 80 days after tuber initiation. The tubers of potato are shown to present a higher level of metabolites and mineral nutrition in the mycorrhizal inoculated compared to the non-inoculated. The results showed that AMF has a potential in enhancing potato production by increasing the storage metabolites, mineral nutrition in tubers and nitrogen assimilating enzymes in plant.

Fungal contamination of carpet industry in Gwalior Madhya Pradesh (India)

The working environment in carpet industry was assessed for fungal contamination in Gwalior (India). The sampling was carried out in five carpet units that were selected randomly. The Petri plates containing potato dextrose agar (PDA) medium was exposed for a period of 15 min near the workplace (exposed) and outside environment (control). They were covered again with aluminium foil before transporting them to the laboratory for further analysis. It was found that various types of fungal species viz., Aspergillus niger, A. parasitics, Fusarium sp., Alternaria sp., Penicillium sp., Trichoderma sp., Curvularia sp., Cladosporium sp., and yeast were present at the work place, which may cause various types of diseases among the weavers. Therefore, we recommended good housekeeping and workplace design, which is necessary for control of fungal contamination at the work place, that may not only reduce the disease among workers but may also increase productivity and efficiency of the workers.

Influence of mycorrhizal inoculation on carrot growth, metabolites and nutrition

ABSTRACT Mycorrhizae are fungal symbionts forming mutualistic relationships with plant roots. This study was undertaken to evaluate the overall influence of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) on the overall growth and development of carrot plant. Surface-sterilized seeds of carrot were sown in earthen pots filled with sterile soil. Half of the pots were inoculated with AMF spores; the other half without any AMF inoculation represented control. After germination inoculated plants, along with the controls, were sampled at 20, 40, 60 and 80 days of growth after seedling emergence. There is a progressive net increase in growth with each 20-day interval after seedling emergence. Storage roots of carrot had a higher level of metabolites and nutrients like nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium in mycorrhiza colonized plants than the control. High performance liquid chromatography analysis indicated an increase in the carbohydrate fractions in AMF-inoculated roots. Thus, mycorrhiza has been found increasing the growth, metabolites and nutrition of carrot plant.

Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi as Biocontrol Agents for Parasitic Nematodes in Plants

The use of synthetic fertilizers and pesticides has not only caused damage to environment but has caused detrimental impacts on the health of people. In order to feed the ever growing population and prevent environmental contamination and decrease the impact on human health organic farming is being promoted all over the world. The use of Arbuscular mycorrhiza fungi to boost agricultural productivity is considered a better alternative as it has strong influence on plant interactions by aiding plants in resource acquisition, disease suppression, and tolerance to soil pollution and play a decisive role in plant development. It also enhance the supply of water and nutrients (phosphate and nitrogen), to the host plant. In return, up to 20% of plant-fixed carbon is transferred to the fungus; hence the nutritional exchange is bidirectional. AMF acts as a biocontrol agent for various crops and thus reduces the burden of pesticides in agro-ecosystems. Advance research is needed to develop farming systems that optimize the use of natural resources such as mycorrhizal fungi for sustainable agricultural production. The present chapter is an attempt to study the role of AMF in controlling different plant parasitic nematodes along with its important advantages for the crop production.

Earthworms and Associated Microbiome: Natural Boosters for Agro-Ecosystems

Nature has bestowed every living creature with unique qualities for maintaining an ecological balance. Earthworms are equipped with wonderful machinery, absolutely different from other organisms, which allow them to nurture the soil beautifully, having a direct impact on the production and quality of crops. Worms act as natural boosters when organic matter is converted into vermicompost and as soil conditioners bringing beneficial microbial activity to plants for growth and development. Microbial stimulation in the presence of earthworms may be due to the utilization of additional nutritive substances (secretion and excretion products) that they provide. Vermicomposting is highly nutritive and a growth promoter as compared to conventional compost. The process of vermicomposting has been well studied by earlier researchers, covering almost every aspect, but scant scientific literature is available on the relationship of earthworms with microbial diversity in different ecosystems. This chapter investigates how earthworms are natural boosters for agro-ecosystems and the role earthworms play in activating different microbes in agriculture fields.

Lychee ( Litchi chinensis ): Biochemistry, Panacea, and Nutritional Value

Lychee is an evergreen tree of the genus Litchi in the soapberry family, mostly grown in China, India, Thailand, Vietnam, and the rest of tropical Southeast Asia, and commercially propagated through air layering by vegetative propagation. Lychee can successfully grow at higher altitudes with sufficient moisture and in an acidic soil environment but is prone to severe frost. Lychee has the ability to spread and produce good foliage growth in the presence of sufficient organic matter including nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium in the soil.

Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi: A Potential Tool for Restoration of Degraded Land

Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) have mutualistic relationships with most of the terrestrial plant species. AMF symbiosis is well known in helping the land plants to adapt to different biotic and abiotic conditions for better survival, growth and development. These symbionts offer an ecofriendly sound biological alternative to chemical fertilizers and pesticides, and hence maintaining plant quality and productivity in agriculture, horticulture and forestry. Thus, agriculturalists and soil scientists must pay proper attention to utilization of AMF to enhance, restore or maintain soil fertility and plant growth. Worldwide experiences reveal that restoration and restitution projects of degraded lands achieve little success or even fail. It is in this perspective that studies have shown that AMF can play a key role in the restoration of degraded ecosystems through beneficial impacts on plant growth and soil quality. Here we review the current knowledge and understanding about the role of AMF in improvement of soil characteristics, above- and below-ground biodiversity, seedling survival, growth and establishment particularly under stressful conditions. Developing widely accepted cost effective methods of inocula production and in situ AMF management for effective restoration of degraded lands shall remain the major research focus in view widespread degradation of habitats due to various anthropogenic activities.