Effect of Some Mycorrhizal Fungi Species on Quantitative and Qualitative Properties of Two Landraces of Chicory in Greenhouse Conditions

Mycorrhiza is a common group of microorganisms that can establish symbiotic relations with plants. To evaluate symbiosis and compatibility between a collection of chicory seeds and mycorrhizal fungi, through inoculation, a factorial experiment is set up in a randomized complete block design. Two batches of chicory seed (Ardabil and Fars) are inoculated by two species of mycorrhizal fungi (Glomus mosseae and Glomus intraradices) with the control group of the seeds not being inoculated at all. Three replicates have been arranged in a greenhouse. The research aims at examining how the two species of mycorrhizal fungi affect several plant traits and the amounts of phytochemical compounds (i.e. phenol, flavonoids, antioxidant activity, chlorophyll a and b, total chlorophyll), fresh and dry weights of roots and root length. It also deals with chicory roots’ ability to absorb several elements. Results show that seed batch and mycorrhizal fungi have significant impacts on vegetative traits, chlorophyll content, phenol, total flavonoids, and antioxidant activity in plants. The highest amounts of total phenol production (3.77 mg/g fresh weight), total flavonoids (1.21 mg/g fresh weight), antioxidant activity (5.23 mg/g fresh weight), root growth and chlorophyll content are observed in the Ardabil batch when treated with G. intraradices. The lowest amounts of these values are recorded in the Fars batch where no mycorrhizal inoculation has been applied. The two batches of seeds grow into plants with different growth rates and phytochemical compositions. The growth parameters of plants improve in the case of mycorrhizal inoculation. The effects of G. intraradices are more efficient than those of G. mosseae in symbiosis with chicory plants. Based on the results of the present study and considering the compatibility of mycorrhiza with the environment, the use of these fungi can substantially increase the yield of various plants, especially medicinal plants.