Chen Xiaoli, Ran Zhifang, Wang Yue, Chen Tian, Guo Lanping, Fang Lei, Zhou Jie
School of Biological Science and Technology, University of Jinan, Jinan, 250022, PR China.
State Key Laboratory for Quality Esurance and Sustainable Use of Dao-Di Herbs, Beijng, 100700, PR China.
Mycorrhiza. 2025 Mar 19;35(2):23. doi: 10.1007/s00572-025-01195-7.
Panax quinquefolius L, a medicinal plant of the family Araliaceae, has been used in China for more than 300 years. The quality of its medicinal materials is a significant concern. Our previous studies have shown that arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) promote the growth of P. quinquefolius and facilitate the accumulation of the active ingredient ginsenosides. However, these beneficial effects are limited by the low AMF colonization rate in production settings, requiring interventions to improve the colonization rate. Biochar is considered an effective soil amendment. Our preliminary experiments indicate that biochar can enhance the inter-root microecology of P. quinquefolius, as well as increase the AMF colonization rate, but the mechanism was not clear. Therefore, we propose using biochar to increase the AMF colonization rate. In this study, we explore the use of biochar to promote the AMF infestation rate of P. quinquefolius and its potential mechanisms. The mechanism was explored by setting up eight treatments. The colonization rate and intensity of AMF in P. quinquefolius roots were assessed using a Trypan Blue solution. Rhizosphere soil microorganisms were analyzed by 16S and ITS sequencing, and secondary metabolites were identified via non-targeted metabolomics. The results showed that the AMF and 2% biochar combined (AMF + BC2) treatment significantly increased both the colonization rate and colonization intensity of AMF, which were 53.58% and 195.95% higher than that of AMF, respectively. The colonization and rhizosphere AMF data indicate that the application of biochar promotes AMF colonization from outside to inside the root. In addition, biochar attracted potentially beneficial microorganisms such as Sphingobium, Sphingomonas, and Novosphingobium, which are positively correlated with AMF and promote AMF colonization. These microorganisms are closely linked with active secondary metabolites, such as Sphingobium, which is positively correlated with L-malic acid. In conclusion, biochar can improve the quality of P. quinquefolius by promoting the formation of mycorrhizae. This finding provides a theoretical basis for the observed effect of the co-application of biochar and AMF on the growth and active ingredient accumulation of P. quinquefolius.
西洋参（Panax quinquefolius L）是五加科的一种药用植物，在中国已使用了300多年。其药材质量是一个重要问题。我们之前的研究表明，丛枝菌根真菌（AMF）可促进西洋参生长，并有助于活性成分人参皂苷的积累。然而，这些有益效果受到生产环境中AMF定殖率低的限制，需要采取干预措施来提高定殖率。生物炭被认为是一种有效的土壤改良剂。我们的初步实验表明，生物炭可以改善西洋参的根际微生态，提高AMF定殖率，但其机制尚不清楚。因此，我们提出使用生物炭来提高AMF定殖率。在本研究中，我们探索了使用生物炭提高西洋参AMF侵染率及其潜在机制。通过设置8个处理来探究其机制。使用台盼蓝溶液评估西洋参根中AMF的定殖率和定殖强度。通过16S和ITS测序分析根际土壤微生物，并通过非靶向代谢组学鉴定次生代谢产物。结果表明，AMF与2%生物炭联合（AMF+BC2）处理显著提高了AMF的定殖率和定殖强度，分别比单独AMF处理高53.58%和195.95%。定殖和根际AMF数据表明，生物炭的施用促进了AMF从根外向根内的定殖。此外，生物炭吸引了潜在的有益微生物，如鞘氨醇单胞菌属、鞘氨醇单胞菌和新鞘氨醇单胞菌，它们与AMF呈正相关并促进AMF定殖。这些微生物与活性次生代谢产物密切相关，例如鞘氨醇单胞菌与L-苹果酸呈正相关。总之，生物炭可以通过促进菌根形成来提高西洋参的品质。这一发现为生物炭和AMF共同施用对西洋参生长和活性成分积累的观察效果提供了理论依据。
