Influence of AM Fungi on the Growth and Biomass production of "Catharanthus roseus"(L.) G.Don

Abstract: In addition to their applications in folk medicine for therapeutic purposes, plants serve as significant sources of diverse pharmaceutical drugs. While numerous compounds can be synthesized in laboratory settings, the complexity of the synthesis leads to low yields and renders economic production unfeasible. Catharanthus roseus (L.) G. Don (periwinkle) is notable for containing over 130 distinct terpenoid indole alkaloids, which are cyclic and nitrogen-containing compounds. The results of the present investigation bring out the important role of AM fungi in enhancing the growth and biomass of periwinkle. It may be concluded that all the medicinal plants screened in the present study were mycorrhizal inspite of possessing secondary substance like alkaloids. The AM inoculated plants showed improved plant growth such as plant height, dry weights of shoot and root. The biomass and dry matter production also significantly enhanced in the mycorrhizal plants over control. Mycoorhizal plants also showed increased levels of nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, zinc, iron and copper in their shoot and root tissues. Of the three treatments, G.aggregatum was the most effective AM fungus followed by G.mosseae and native inoculum. In addition to plant growth improvement, mycorrhizal plants also exhibited higher levels of alkaloid content in root and shoot tissues.