Influence of flavonoid compounds on va mycorrhiza glomus mosseae and alfalfa plants

ABSTRACT

The effect of flavonoid compounds on germination and growth of Vesicular arbuscular mycorrhizal fungus Glomus mosseae in vitro as well as root colonization and growth of alfalfa [Medicago sativa] were studied. The study showed that the isoflavone [formononetin] stimulated germination and hyphal growth when applied at 5 mgl-1, while the flavone [chrysin] and the flavanone [hesperetin] significantly inhibited germination and hyphal growth at all applied concentrations. G. mosseae alone or coupled with formononetin significantly increased alfalfa growth, shoot nitrogen content, nodulation and root colonization with mycorrhizal fungus. The response was highly apparent when plants were treated with the fungus and the isoflavone. Nitrate reductase activity increased in alfalfa roots infected with G. Mosseae and slightly affected by the isoflavone. Peroxidae activity was highest in presence of mycorrhizal fungus and in presence or absence of formononetin