The root endophyte fungusPiriformospora indicaleads to early flowering, higher biomass and altered secondary metabolites of the medicinal plant,Coleus forskohlii

• DOI: 10.4161/psb.7.1.18472
• Publication Date: 2012-01-31T22:28:51Z
• Authors: Aparajita Das; Shwet Kamal; Najam Akhtar Shakil; Irena Sherameti; Ralf Oelmüller; Meenakshi Dua; Narendra Tuteja; Atul Kumar Johri; Ajit Varma
• Keywords: 2. Zero hunger; 0303 health sciences; 03 medical and health sciences; Basidiomycota; Coleus; Biomass; Flowers; 15. Life on land; Plant Roots; Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry; 3. Good health

This study was undertaken to investigate the influence of plant probiotic fungus Piriformospora indica on the medicinal plant C. forskohlii. Interaction of the C. forskohlii with the root endophyte P. indica under field conditions, results in an overall increase in aerial biomass, chlorophyll contents and phosphorus acquisition. The fungus also promoted inflorescence development, consequently the amount of p-cymene in the inflorescence increased. Growth of the root thickness was reduced in P. indica treated plants as they became fibrous, but developed more lateral roots. Because of the smaller root biomass, the content of forskolin was decreased. The symbiotic interaction of C. forskohlii with P. indica under field conditions promoted biomass production of the aerial parts of the plant including flower development. The plant aerial parts are important source of metabolites for medicinal application. Therefore we suggest that the use of the root endophyte fungus P. indica in sustainable agriculture will enhance the medicinally important chemical production.