Mycorrhizal consortium: an option to modulate leaf lectin biosynthesis

Abstract

The association with arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) can modulate the production of both primary and secondary metabolites in plants. Although the importance of root lectins in establishing symbiosis is well recognized, nevertheless, it is not known whether mycorrhizal inoculation can modulate the accumulation of leaf lectins. This study aimed to verify whether the inoculation of a mycorrhizal consortium alters the lectins profile in leaves. A greenhouse experiment with two inoculation treatments was carried out: non-inoculated Schinus terebinthifolia Raddi seedlings (control) and seedlings inoculated with an AMF consortium containing Acaulospora longula, Entrophospora etunicata, and Dentiscutata heterogama (AMF+). The leaves were harvested after 191 days and used to prepare aqueous extracts. The extracts were assayed regarding the hemagglutinating activity, for detecting lectins, and the specific hemagglutinating activity (SHA) was determined for ABO group erythrocytes. The concentration of bioatives and the in vitro antioxidant activity were evaluated. The SHA of leaves from mycorrhizal S. terebinthifolia seedlings, evaluated using group A erythrocytes, was enhanced by over 30%, in comparison with non-inoculated plants (p≤ 0.01). However, inoculation of AMF reduced the production of metabolites, the antioxidant activity, and SHA when erythrocytes from groups AB, B, or O were considered (p≤ 0.01). This research provides the first evidence of mycorrhizal symbiosis affecting leaf lectin accumulation.