Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi Enhance Growth and Increase Concentrations of Anthocyanin, Phenolic Compounds, and Antioxidant Activity of Black Rice (Oryza sativa L.)

Black rice (Oryza sativa L.) contains high concentrations of bioactive compounds that are associated with human-health benefits. Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) can increase plant performance and these compounds. In a pot experiment, the effects four different species AMF (Claroideoglomus etunicatum; Rhizophagus variabilis; nov. spec.; Acaulospora longula) were assessed on growth performance, grain yield, phenolic anthocyanin, antioxidant activity two black-rice cultivars. The experiment was completely randomized factorial design factors, viz. cultivar (Niew Dam Hmong Maled Phai) treatment (four non-inoculated treatments, without mineral fertilizer). Results showed cultivar, treatment, their interaction almost always significant sources variation for both parameters Phai higher phenolics anthocyanins but lower than Niew Hmong. fertilizer lowest performance. resulted in larger root shoot biomass yield treatments. Inoculation R. variabilis highest concentration anthocyanins. We conclude best inoculum increasing compounds, especially Phai.