Transcriptomic Dissection of the AMF-Solanum melongenaInteraction: Unveiling Molecular Secrets

Abstract

AbstractFungus-based biofertilizers, in particular, have been shown to improve plant growth and health by providing essential nutrients and improving soil health. Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) form mutualistic symbiotic relationships with plants, including those in the Solanaceae family. They colonize the root systems of plants and aid in enhancing nutrient absorption efficiency, particularly in phosphorus-deficient soils. The present study was carried out to study the interaction betweenSolanum melongenaL. withGlomus macrocarpumandFunneliformis mosseae(formely known asGlomus mosseae) at transcript level. In this study a total of 365 transcripts were upregulated (>1.5x) folds inS. melongenain response to both the fungi, while 44 transcripts were upregulated only in response toG. macrocarpumand 28 transcripts were upregulated only in response toF. mosseae. Similarly, 49 transcripts were downregulated less than −1.5 folds in response to both the fungi while 78 were downregulated only in response to theG. macrocarpumand 36 were downregulated only in response toF. mosseae.KEGG pathway analysis ofS. melongenatreated withG. macrocarpumrevealed carbon metabolism, cofactor biosynthesis and Endocytosis as the dominant metabolic pathway, while analysis of theF. mosseaetreatment revealed Glycerophospholipid and Endocytosis metabolism as dominant metabolic pathways.