Effect of Arbuscular Mycorrhization on the Accumulation of Hydroxycinnamic Acid Derivatives in Date Palm Seedlings Challenged with Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. albedinis

Abstract

AbstractThe effect of root colonization with arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi on the content of phenolic compounds was determined in date palm seedlings challenged with Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. albedinis (Foa), the pathogen causing the bayoud disease. The examination of phenolic compounds revealed no qualitative difference between arbuscular mycorrhized plants and non‐mycorrhized ones. However, after Foa infection, the accumulation of non‐constitutive hydroxycinnamic acid derivatives, such as the sinapic derivative I2, known to play a crucial role in resistance of date palm to Foa was more pronounced in mycorrhized seedlings. No accumulation of these compounds was detected in mycorrhized seedlings not challenged with Foa. The potential immunization of date palm seedlings with mycorrhizal fungi is discussed.