Abstract
Arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi can affect many different micronutrients and macronutrients in plants and also influence host volatile compound synthesis. Their effect on the edible portions of plants is less clear. Two separate studies were performed to investigate whether inoculation by AM fungi (Rhizophagus irregularis, Funneliformis mosseae, or both) can affect the food quality of tomato fruits, in particular common minerals, antioxidants, carotenoids, a suite of vitamins, and flavor compounds (sugars, titratable acids, volatile compounds). It was found that AM fungal inoculation increased the nutrient quality of tomato fruits for most nutrients except vitamins. Fruit mineral concentration increased with inoculation (particularly N, P, and Cu). Similarly, inoculated plants had fruit with higher antioxidant capacity and more carotenoids. Furthermore, five volatile compounds were significantly higher in AM plants compared with non-AM controls. Taken together, these results show that AM fungi represent a promising resource for improving both sustainable food production and human nutritional needs.
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The authors would like to thank NSERC (Discovery Grants) and the Alexander von Humboldt Foundation (Early Researchers) for funding (MMH). Thank you to Alicia Tymstra for help with references. Thanks also to Tom Helmer and Katie Axwik for technical assistance.
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Hart, M., Ehret, D.L., Krumbein, A. et al. Inoculation with arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi improves the nutritional value of tomatoes. Mycorrhiza 25, 359–376 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00572-014-0617-0
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00572-014-0617-0