Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi Induced Acclimatization and Growth Enhancement of Glycyrrhiza glabra L.: A Potential Medicinal Plant

Abstract

A bioinoculation experiment was performed to see the effect of inoculation of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) on post-transplanting performance and growth enhancement of micropropagated plantlets of Glycyrrhiza glabra L. The dominant AMF Glomus mosseae and Acaulospora laevis were isolated from the rhizosphere soil of G. glabra and mass produced in laboratory for further studies. In vitro raised plantlets were inoculated with single and in combined mycorrhizal treatments. Various morphological and biochemical parameters were measured after 120 days. All inoculated plantlets responded significantly different to all three mycorrhizal treatments. G. mosseae enhanced the survival rate of G. glabra plantlets to 100 %. Most growth related parameters (shoot length, leaf area, leaf number, fresh, and dry weight) were significantly affected by different fungal intervention. Treated plants typically showed more obvious modifications in their biochemical status also. The chlorophyll a, chlorophyll b, and protein content increased in AMF inoculated as compared to the control plants. The total soluble sugars and reducing sugars contents in the present study showed a minor decrease in mycorrhizal-treated plants. Overall results suggest that although, all mycorrhizal treatments showed good response, but the treatment with G. mosseae + A. laevis inoculation executed more pronounced response for enhancing the growth and development of this plant. These results emphasize the need for the incorporation of tissue culture protocols with mycorrhizal inoculation for ensuring better survival and improved growth of this valuable medicinal plant. © 2013 NAAS (National Academy of Agricultural Sciences).