Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) enhance growth, secondary metabolites concentration and antioxidant activity in Acmella paniculata (Wall. ex DC.) R. K. Jansen

Acmella paniculata (Wall. ex DC.) R. K. Jansen, also referred to as ‘the toothache plant’ is a valuable medicinal plant which has immense utility in traditional culinary and medicine. Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) are pivotal soil microorganisms which exist in symbiosis with terrestrial plant, and provide substantial benefits by improving plant growth, nutrition and therapeutic values. Therefore, an investigation was conducted to determine the potential role of native AMF and Glomus etunicatum as an eco-friendly innovative strategy to improve the growth, photosynthetic pigments, proximate components, phytochemical content and antioxidant activity in this plant. G. etunicatum is a widely studied AMF in crop and medicinal plants, and its selection was based on its potential for complementary benefits to plant growth, nutrition and plant secondary metabolism, while native AMF was selected as they are well adapted to natural condition, making them valuable for inoculation studies. The findings of the study demonstrated that inoculation of both AMF significantly improved plant growth parameters including height, shoot and root fresh and dry weights, chlorophyll a, b, total chlorophyll, carotenoids. Additionally, proximate analysis revealed that AMF inoculation enhanced crude protein, fat, and ash content. Furthermore, significant elevations in phytochemicals such as total phenolic and flavonoid contents along with the enhanced antioxidant activity was reported in AMF-inoculated plants. This study highlights the underlying potential of AMF as natural strategy to augment growth, nutrition and medicinal value of A. paniculata.