Abstract
The symbiotically interaction of arbuscular mycorrhiza (AM) with liquorice (Glycyrrhiza glabra) which is widely used in traditional Iranian medicine, may have a good potential to enhance host plant growth and resistance to salt stress and may regulate the synthesis and accumulation pattern of secondary metabolites in plant tissues. The aims of this study were to assess the effect of AM fungus Funneliforms mosseae on liquorice plant's growth and nutrition, and the expression of important genes participated in the glycyrrhizin biosynthesis under salinity stress. The salinity stress induced a decreased trend in root fungal colonization, growth parameters, K and P concentrations and K+/Na+ ratios. Moreover, salinity caused a significant increase in electrolyte leakage and Na+ concentration in shoot and root of liquorice. AM colonization considerably increased P and K concentrations under salinity stress and promoted shoot proline accumulation and a higher K+/Na+ ratio and concentration of glycyrrhizin. The expression of three genes including beta-amyrin synthas (bAS), squalene synthase1 (SQS1) and P450 under different treatments were assessed by qRT-PCR. The highest increase in bAS and P450 gene expression was observed in stressed mycorrhizal plants. The expression of SQS1 was higher in stress condition compared to non-stressed plants. This study indicated the ameliorating effects of arbuscular mycorrhizal symbiosis in liquorice plant under salinity stress. The symbiosis of liquorice with AM fungi can be suggested as an alternative to enhance liquorice quality for pharmaceutical purposes and a practical approach for exploiting saline soils.
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