Synergistic Effect of Glomus Species and Organic Fertilizers for Enhanced Production of Bacoside-A: Memory Enhancer Compound in Bacopa monnieri (L.) Wettst.

Abstract

Bacopa monnieri (L.) Wettst. (BM) is popular for its medicinal properties which have been attributed to its rich collection of secondary metabolites. Its bioactive phytoconstituents have been used in therapeutic formulations for several human diseases. The use of traditional methods for increasing plant biomass and improving metabolite composition has gained substantial impetus in the past few years. Thus, the primary objective of the present study was to examine the effect of three different species of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (Glomus deserticola, G. mosseae, and G. intradices) and three different types of organic fertilizers (vermiculite, cocopeat, and perlite), both individually and in combination on morphological characteristics, physiological responses, metabolic regulation and bacoside-A production of BM. The findings demonstrated substantial improvement (P < 0.05) in various traits when treated with bio and organic fertilizers. Notably, as compared to the control, combination of three Glomus species and three organic fertilizers improved shoot length (1.2-folds; 2.0-folds), root length (3-folds; 2.6-folds), chlorophyll content (1.5-folds; 1.8-folds) and antioxidant activity (1.1-folds; 1.1-folds). Furthermore, use of mixtures of fertilizers led to an augmentation in the levels of both primary and secondary metabolites including lipids, alkanes, fatty acids, sugars, and terpenes. This application also enhanced the composition of bacosides A3, bacopaside II, bacopaside X, and bacopasaponin C and overall production of bacoside-A (1.2-folds). The findings obtained from the use of bio and organic fertilization techniques on the growth parameters and bacoside levels were analyzed and can be used as a potential alternative approach for mitigating the reliance on chemical fertilizers for improved growth of BM.