Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi enhance monoterpene production in red clover ( Trifolium pratense L.): a potential tool for pest control.

The possibility of modifying terpene production in plants is a defensive strategy that has been studied in conjunction with their biosynthetic pathways. A biotic factor such as Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi (AMF) could modify terpene production in Trifolium pratense L. In this work, the enzymatic production of monoterpenes in Superqueli INIA cultivar with two AMF was evaluated via HeadSpace-Gas Chromatography (HS-GC). A significant increase of ( S )-limonene was found in plants inoculated with Claroideoglomus claroideum as well as with the AMF mix (genera Scutellospora , Acaulospora and Glomus ). Moreover, significant increases in other monoterpenes such as (-)-β-pinene, myrcene, linalool, were observed. Results showed higher monoterpene production capacities in the Superqueli-INIA cultivar, suggesting the participation of monoterpene synthases (MTS). The significant rise of ( S )-limonene in red clover plants inoculated with AMF suggests this strategy could be implemented in an agronomical manage for controlling the H. obscurus , the primary pest.