permaculture

["Lawrence F. London, Jr." <lflj@bellsouth.net>]

http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/j.1469-8137.1991.tb00568.x/abstract
Stimulation of vesicular-arbuscular mycorrhiza formation and growth of white 
clover by flavonoid compounds
   1. J. O. SIQUEIRA1,†,
   2. G. R. SAFIR1,
   3. M. G. NAIR2
Article first published online: 28 APR 2006
DOI: 10.1111/j.1469-8137.1991.tb00568.x
Issue
New Phytologist
Volume 118, Issue 1, pages 87–93, May 1991
SIQUEIRA, J. O., SAFIR, G. R. and NAIR, M. G. (1991), Stimulation of vesicular-arbuscular mycorrhiza formation and 
growth of white clover by flavonoid compounds. New Phytologist, 118: 87–93. doi: 10.1111/j.1469-8137.1991.tb00568.x
Author Information
1. Department of Botany and Plant Pathology, Michigan State University, East 
Lansing, MI 48824, USA
2. The Natural Products Chemistry Laboratory, Department of Horticulture, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 
48824, USA
      On leave from Escola Superior de Agricultura de Lavras, 372000-Lavras, 
MG-Brazil.
Publication History
   1. Issue published online: 28 APR 2006
   2. Article first published online: 28 APR 2006
   3. (Received 31 August 1990; accepted 13 December 1990)
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Keywords:
    * Isoflavonoids;
    * VA mycorrhiza;
    * mycorrhizal fungi;
    * root micro-organisms;
    * biotrophy;
    * phenolic compounds;
    * rhizosphere
summary
The effects of flavonoid compounds on VA mycorrhiza root colonization and growth of white clover (Trifolium repens L.) 
plants under growth chamber conditions are reported. The isoflavonoids, formononetin and biochanin A, previously 
identified from clover roots, stimulated colonization and growth of clover, while several other flavonoid compounds were 
inactive when tested at concentrations of 5 mg 1−1. The flavone, chrysin, when applied at concentrations higher than 
those tested for formononetin and biochanin A, also increased root colonization and plant growth. The stimulatory 
effects of the isoflavonoids on plant growth were mediated by VA mycorrhizal fungi and were dependent on concentration, 
period of growth and soil spore density. Maximum responses were found when 5 mg 1−1 solutions were applied to soil 
containing 2 to 4 VA mycorrhiza spores g−1 of soil. These results may provide insights on the molecular mechanisms of 
host-fungus interaction and for the development of technology to exploit the potential of the indigenous VA mycorrhizal 
fungi in field soil.