ARBUSCULAR MYCORRHIZAL FUNGI (AMF) AND SOIL CHEMICAL HETEROGENEITY SIGNIFICANTLY ALTER NUTRITIONAL VALUE OF TOMATO FRUIT

Soil chemical heterogeneity critically alters colonization and diversity of Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi (AMF) in roots of same host plant among different agro-ecological zones. AMF, being a natural soil bio-fertilizer, significantly affects the plant metabolome, changing the quality of its fruit. In present study, subsequent effect of soil chemistry and AMF on nutritional value of tomato fruit from place to place have been monitored. For this purpose, tomato plants along with their rhizospheric soil were sampled from different agro-ecological zones of Pakistan. Soil edaphic factors, AMF root colonization status, rhizospheric spore densities and diversity were estimated and also correlated. Also, the variation in secondary metabolites and antioxidant capacity of tomato fruit was examined. Out results indicated that agro-ecological zones having low soil phosphorus availability exhibits high AMF colonization and diversity, subsequently possessing high phenolic and flavonoid content in tomato fruits resulting in enhanced antioxidant capacity. The concluded correlative effect of spatial AMF diversity and soil chemistry on metabolomic profiles of host plant suggests detailed studies so that qualitative value of various food plants can be enhanced.

Automated summary

Soil chemical heterogeneity significantly affects the colonization and diversity of Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi (AMF) in tomato roots, leading to variations in the nutritional value of tomato fruit across different agro-ecological zones. The study found that agro-ecological zones with low soil phosphorus availability had higher AMF colonization and diversity, resulting in increased phenolic and flavonoid content in tomato fruits and enhanced antioxidant capacity.