Effects of soil pH and arbuscular mycorrhiza (AM) inoculation on growth and chemical composition of chia (Salvia hispanica L.) leaves

Abstract

In this study, chemical composition and growth responses of chia plants (Salvia hispanica L.) to inoculation with an arbuscular mycorrhiza (AM, Glomus mosseae, Nicol. & Gerd.) fungal inoculum (namely MC10) under the influence of soil pH were investigated. The experiment project included six treatments, i.e., control-non-arbuscular mycorrhiza fungi (NAMF, pH 7.1), control-arbuscular mycorrhiza fungi (AMF, pH 7.1), acid-NAMF (pH 5.1), acid-AMF (pH 5.1), alkaline-NAMF (pH 8.2), and alkaline-AMF (pH 8.2). Stunted growth and leaf chlorosis were noticed mainly in plants grown in soil with acidic pH. An increase in fresh biomass was attained in plants amended with AM fungi in alkaline soil pH. Alkaline sandy soil with low levels of available P stimulated AMF colonization of chia roots, which subsequently enhanced P uptake and translocation in plant tissues. Total proteins, carbohydrates, and total fat content in leaves increased in AMF-inoculated plants in neutral and alkaline soil pH, while only fat content enhanced under acidic soil pH. MC10 inoculum resulted in reduced levels of total phenolics under alkaline conditions, whereas under acidic soil resulted in increased levels compared to the non-inoculated plants. The predominant fatty acids of chia leaves were palmitic (18.3 %), a-linolenic (17.1 %), pentadecenoic (11.0 %), linoleic (7.5 %), oleic (7.5 %), and stearic (6.3 %). Higher concentration of stearic, oleic, linoleic, and a-linolenic acids was observed in the leaves of chia plants grown on control (neutral pH) and alkaline soil in the presence of the MC10 inoculum. Alkaline soil combined with AM inoculation enhanced the nutritional value of chia leaves.

Impact of Row Spacing, Sowing Density and Nitrogen Fertilization on Yield and Quality Traits of chia (Salvia Hispanica L.) Cultivated in southwestern Germany

“…As the two trial sites in our study only showed slight alkalinity (7.45) in 2016 and acidity (6.37) in 2017 it was assumed that chia growth and seed yields were not affected by pH, also as no growth abnormalities were detected in both years [46]. If and to which extend chia growth, seed yield, and quality traits might be affected by soil pH needs to be further investigated, as literature on this topic is scarce.…”

The growth and phosphorus acquisition of invasive plants Rudbeckia laciniata and Solidago gigantea are enhanced by arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi

“…Firstly, the higher degree of mycorrhizal colonization of plants harvested from the valley soil may be associated with soil pH. Several studies showed that in the case of various plant species, root colonization by AMF was stimulated by increased soil alkalinity (Postma et al 2007; Zubek et al 2009; Ouzounidou et al 2015). In the case of the invasive plant Impatiens parviflora , AM colonization degree also increased along with increasing soil pH (Chmura and Gucwa-Przepióra 2012).…”

The Future Prospects of Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi in Slope Ecological Restoration

“…In order to improve substrate stability, special bonding materials have invariably been added [3], which may change the soil pH along with the continued deposition of indecomposable chemical compositions and have detrimental impact on the vegetation establishment [49]. Two hypotheses explained the mechanism of the adaptation of AMF to soil pH: directly through the metabolic activities and secretions of hypha [46], or indirectly through changing the component of plant root exudates [49,50]. The preference of AMF for alkaline or neutral soil and the role of AMF in alleviating acidic soil stress had also been proved by Ouzounidou et al [49].…”

“…Two hypotheses explained the mechanism of the adaptation of AMF to soil pH: directly through the metabolic activities and secretions of hypha [46], or indirectly through changing the component of plant root exudates [49,50]. The preference of AMF for alkaline or neutral soil and the role of AMF in alleviating acidic soil stress had also been proved by Ouzounidou et al [49]. In addition, the absorption of alkaline earth metal elements affected by AMF contributes to the rhizosphere pH change as well [51].…”