Effect of jasmonates on ethylene biosynthesis and aroma volatile emission in Japanese apricot infected by a pathogen (Colletotrichum gloeosporioides)

The effects of the application of the jasmonic acid derivative n-propyl dihydrojasmonate (PDJ) on ethylene biosynthesis, volatile compounds, and endogenous jasmonic acid (JA) and methyl jasmonate (MeJA) were examined in Japanese apricot (Prunus mume Sieb.) infected by a pathogen (Colletotrichum gloeosporioides). The fruit were dipped into 0.4 mM PDJ solution before inoculation with the pathogen and stored at 25 °C for 6 days. The inoculation induced an increase in 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylic acid (ACC), ethylene, JA, and MeJA. In contrast, PDJ application reduced the endogenous JA, MeJA, and ethylene production and expression of the ACC oxidase gene (PmACO1) caused by the pathogen infection. The lesion diameter with C. gloeosporioides decreased upon PDJ application. The alcohol, ester, ketone, and lactone concentrations and alcohol acyltransferase (AAT) activity increased in the pathogen-infected fruit, but were decreased by PDJ application. These results suggest that PDJ application might influence ethylene production through PmACO1 and that aroma volatile emissions affected by pathogen infection can be correlated with the ethylene production, which is mediated by the levels of jasmonates.     

Effects of elicitors on the production of resveratrol and viniferins in cell cultures of Vitis vinifera L. cv Italia

Methyl jasmonate, jasmonic acid and chitosan were tested as elicitors on cell suspension cultures obtained from Vitis vinifera cv Italia to investigate their effect on stilbene production. Stilbene accumulation in the callus, grown under nonelicited conditions, was also investigated. Calli and cell suspensions were obtained in a B5 culture medium supplemented with 0.2 mg L(-1) NAA and 1 mg L(-1) KIN. Stilbene determination was achieved by HPLC/DAD/MS. Whereas callus biosynthesized only piceid, cell suspensions elicited with jasmonates produced several stilbenes, mainly viniferins. In suspended cells, methyl jasmonate and jasmonic acid were the most effective in stimulating stilbene biosynthesis, whereas chitosan was less effective; in fact, the amount of stilbenes obtained with this elicitor was not significantly different from that obtained for the control cells. The maximum production of total stilbenes was at day 20 of culture with 0.970 and 1.023 mg g(-1) DW for MeJA and JA, respectively.     

Decontamination of aflatoxin-forming fungus and elimination of aflatoxin mutagenicity with electrolyzed NaCl anode solution.

Electrolysis of a 0.1% (17.1 mM) solution of NaCl using separate anode and cathode compartments gives rise to solutions containing active chemical species. The strongly acidic "anode solution" (EW+) has high levels of dissolved oxygen and available chlorine in a form of hypochlorous acid (HOCl) with a strong potential for sterilization, which we have investigated here. Exposing Aspergillus parasiticus at an initial density of 10(3)spores in 10 microL to a 50-fold volume (500 microL) of EW+ containing ca. 390 micromol HOCl for 15 min at room temperature resulted in a complete inhibition of fungal growth, whereas the cathode solution (EW-) had negligible inhibitory effects. Moreover, the mutagenicity of aflatoxin B(1) (AFB(1)) for Salmonella typhimurium TA-98 and TA-100 strains was strongly reduced after AFB(1) exposure to the EW+ but not with the EW-. In high-performance liquid chromatography analysis, the peak corresponding to AFB(1) disappeared after treatment with the EW+, indicating decomposition of the aflatoxin. In contrast, the routinely used disinfectant sodium hypochlorite, NaOCl, of the same available chlorine content as that of EW+ but in a different chemical form, hypochlorite (OCl-) ion, did not decompose AFB(1) at pH 11. However, NaOCl did decompose AFB(1) at pH 3, which indicated that the principle chemical formula to participate in the decomposition of AFB(1) is not the OCl- ion but HOCl. Furthermore, because the decomposition of AFB(1) was suppressed by pretreating the EW+ with the OH radical scavenger thiourea, the chemical species responsible for the AFB(1)-decomposing property of the EW+ should be at least due to the OH radical originated from HOCl. The OH in EW+ was proved by electron spin resonance analysis.     

异硫氰酸苄酯对于黄曲霉生长速率和产毒情况的影响

为明确异硫氰酸苄酯(BITC)在不同条件下对黄曲霉的抑制效果,本研究以熏蒸法,在28℃培养条件下,分别以花生和玉米为培养基质,研究不同浓度(0、5、10、15、20 mg·L-1)异硫氰酸苄酯在不同水分活度(aw)(0.930、0.960、0.980、0.995)下对黄曲霉(Aspergillus flavus)生长和...     

Occurrence of ochratoxin A- and aflatoxin B1-producing fungi in Lebanese grapes and ochratoxin a content in musts and finished wines during 2004

This paper reports the results of an extensive survey on the occurrence of filamentous fungi isolated from wine-grapes in Lebanon and to test their ability to produce ochratoxin A (OTA) and aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) on CYA culture medium, in order to assess their potential for producing these mycotoxins on grapes. From the 470 grapes samples taken during season 2004, 550 fungi strains were isolated with 490 belonging to Aspergillus spp. and 60 belonging to Penicillium spp. All these isolated fungi starins were tested for their ability to produce OTA and AFB1. Aspergillus carbonarius shows that it is the only species able to produce OTA with a production percentage reaching 100% and a maximum concentration of 52.8 microg/g of Czapek yeast extract agar (CYA). In its turn, Aspergillus flavus was considered as the only AFB1-producing species with production percentage of 45.3% and a maximum concentration reaching 40 microg/g CYA. A total of 47 handmade musts produced from the collected grapes were also analyzed in order to correlate the presence of OTA in must and the occurrence of filamentous fungi on grapes; 57.4% were contaminated with OTA at low level with concentrations ranging between 0.011 and 0.221 microg OTA L(-1). The analysis of these must samples was not performed with regard to AFB1. Seventy samples of finish red wine were also assayed for OTA content. The results showed that 42 of the tested samples (60%) were found to be positive for OTA with low levels (0.012-0.126 microg OTA L(-1)).     

Effects of methyl jasmonate on plant growth and leaf properties

Exogenous application of methyl jasmonate (MeJA) can induce anatomical and chemical changes that are components of defence responses in plants. Particularly, MeJA is well‐known to increase leaf trichome density to protect against insect herbivory, but surprisingly little is known about the effects of MeJA on other leaf properties and plant growth. Using sunflower (Helianthus annuus), tomato (Solanum lycopersicum), and soybean (Glycine max) treated with 0.0, 0.1, 0.5, 1.0, and 2.5 mM MeJA, we examined changes in leaf trichome density, stomatal density, cuticle thickness, cuticle composition, plant height, and biomass production. For all three plant species, MeJA (especially at the higher concentrations) caused significant decreases in plant height (up to 39%) and biomass (up to 79%). MeJA caused substantial increases in leaf trichome density (being 1.3–3.5‐times higher) in all three species, with the magnitude of these effects increasing with MeJA concentration. However, we also observed that MeJA resulted in significant changes in cuticle composition and thickness, and stomatal density, although the magnitude of these changes was smaller relative to changes in trichome density. Specifically, high concentrations of MeJA increased the relative content of phenolic compounds and cutin in leaf cuticle while decreasing the relative content of polysaccharide. The changes in stomatal density varied with plant species and MeJA concentration. Also, MeJA increased cuticle thickness in tomato but decreased that in sunflower and soybean. Thus, studies investigating MeJA should also consider the importance of changes in other leaf properties and plant growth.     

Time course study of substrate utilization by Aspergillus flavus in medium simulating corn (Zea mays) kernels.

Utilization of the three major corn reserve materials, starch, triglycerides (refined corn oil), and zein (storage protein), by Aspergillus flavus was monitored in vitro over a 7-day fermentation. Medium composition in which proportions of reserve materials initially approximated proportions in mature corn kernels changed little over the first 18 h. Subsequently, hydrolysis of both starch and triglycerides occurred simultaneously, with peak concentrations of glucose and free fatty acids on day 2 of the fermentation period. Fatty acid concentrations dropped relatively rapidly after day 2 but increased again after day 6. Aflatoxin B(1) production increased after 36 h, with a peak at day 4. Aflatoxin B(1) production paralleled fungal biomass production during the exponential growth phase. A. flavus did not appear to preferentially utilize any of the released fatty acids. A number of fungus-specific metabolites were detected, including arabitol, erythritol, mannitol, trehalose, and kojic acid. Mannitol exceeded the other metabolites in concentration, and the timing of mannitol production closely paralleled that of aflatoxin B(1). Kojic acid concentrations peaked at day 6. In contrast to previously described selective use of simple carbohydrates by A. flavus, less discrimination was displayed when faced with utilization of complex substrates such as starch or triglycerides.     

种植至储藏期花生黄曲霉毒素B_1污染研究

为解析种植至储藏期花生受黄曲霉侵染及黄曲霉毒素B1(AFB_1)污染的规律,揭示花生AFB_1污染的源头及主要影响因素,选取种植湛红2号和湛油75的花生田,采集种植期花生果和土壤及储藏1~4个月的花生果,分析花生和土壤真菌菌相,并采用高效液相色谱法测定花生AFB_1含量。结果表明,种植期黄曲霉侵染花生果主要发生在成熟期,但黄曲霉污染率均在8%以下;湛油75花生田土壤黄曲霉菌落数显著低于湛红2号,但花生果黄曲霉污染率显著高于湛红2号,表明湛红2号具有一定的黄曲霉抗性;湛油75和湛红2号分别在110 d和120 d检测到AFB_1,含量分别为3.37μg·kg~(-1)和2.08μg·kg~(-1),表明花生黄曲霉毒素含量与污染率呈正相关。储藏期花生果中未检测到黄曲霉和AFB_1,这主要是由于花生晾晒后水活度(aw)降低至0.70以下,不适合黄曲霉生长繁殖和毒素生物合成。综上,黄曲霉在荚果成熟期开始侵染花生果导致产生AFB_1,而储藏期保持较低的aw可有效预防黄曲霉及AFB_1污染。本研究结果为制定种植至储藏期花生黄曲霉毒素全程防控措施提供了理论依据。     

Substrate suitability of different genotypes of sorghum in relation to Aspergillus infection and aflatoxin production

Grain sorghum is often damaged by rain in the field and severely infected by grain mold, which includes Aspergillus infection and aflatoxin production. The objective of the study is to investigate the extent of aflatoxin production with Aspergillus infection in vitro in different sorghum genotypes with different pericarps, red, yellow, and white, the physical and chemical characteristics of grain during infection, and the changes in grain polyphenols and phytic acid in comparison to maize and groundnut. The physical characters and biochemical composition of sorghum grain contribute to make it less susceptible to Aspergillus infection and aflatoxin contamination compared to maize and groundnut. The lowest amounts of aflatoxin and ergosterol were observed in genotypes with red pericarp, whereas higher amounts of aflatoxin and ergosterol were found in white genotypes followed by maize and groundnut. All of the red genotypes differ in polyphenol composition and aflatoxin produced, showing resistance to mold damage. Another indication of resistance in red genotypes was the delayed peaking of aflatoxin production (9 days after infection). In red sorghum genotypes there was a significant, positive correlation existing between polyphenol content and aflatoxin produced at 3 and 6 days after infection, the r values being 0.589 and 0.513, respectively. The starch content decreased whereas the protein content in all sorghum genotypes increased during infection. Maximum phytic acid was observed in white sorghum genotypes. Phytic acid in yellow genotypes was found to have a significant negative correlation (r = -0.569) with aflatoxin produced.     

Influence of lipids with and without other cottonseed reserve materials on aflatoxin B(1) production by Aspergillus flavus

Cottonseed storage lipids (primarily triglycerides), in either crude or refined form, were found to support growth and aflatoxin B(1) production by Aspergillus flavus. When lipids were removed from ground whole cottonseed by petroleum ether extraction, aflatoxin production dropped by more than 800-fold. Reconstitution of the lipid-extracted ground whole seed with a crude preparation of cottonseed lipids restored aflatoxin production to the previous levels. Fungal utilization of the three major cottonseed reserve materials, raffinose, triglycerides (refined cottonseed oil), and cottonseed storage protein, was monitored in vitro over a 7 day fermentation period. The fermentation medium contained the reserve compounds in proportions approximating those found in mature cottonseed. A. flavus rapidly converted raffinose to fructose and melibiose, presumably by action of invertase, and then hydrolyzed the melibiose. These simple sugars apparently supported initial growth and aflatoxin B(1) production. Raffinose and the resulting melibiose were nearly exhausted by day 2. Fungal hydrolysis of triglycerides began as exhaustion of carbohydrate approached. After day 2, rapid catabolism of the released fatty acids began and coincided with glucose regeneration through gluconeogenesis, which peaked on day 6. The fungus did not preferentially utilize specific fatty acids. A. flavus also produced a number of storage metabolites, including arabitol, erythritol, mannitol, and trehalose. Mannitol was produced in much higher concentrations than the other storage metabolites. Selective use of simple carbohydrates by A. flavus to drive aflatoxin production may suggest strategies for reducing vulnerability of cottonseed to aflatoxin contamination.     

Mold occurrence and aflatoxin B(1) and fumonisin B(1) determination in corn samples in Venezuela

Fumonisins are mycotoxins produced mainly by Fusarium moniliforme and Fusarium proliferatum, which have been associated with several animal and human diseases. Aflatoxins are hepatotoxic, mutagenic, and teratogenic metabolites produced by Aspergillus flavus and Aspergillus parasiticus. Both have been reported at high levels in corn. This study was pursued to determine mold, aflatoxin B(1) (AFTB(1)), and fumonisin B(1) (FB(1)) levels in white and yellow corn. Mold levels were determined using potato dextrose agar and identification of the main genus of molds present in corn, AFTB(1) levels by immunoaffinity chromatography, and FB(1) levels by a Bond-Elut SAX cartridge and HPLC. AFTB(1) an     

Using a modified ferrous oxidation-xylenol orange (FOX) assay for detection of lipid hydroperoxides in plant tissue.

The ferrous oxidation-xylenol orange (FOX) assay was adapted for quantifying lipid hydroperoxides (LOOHs) in plant extracts. Excised pieces of several fruit and vegetable species were exposed to 83 kJ m(-2) day(-1) of biologically effective ultraviolet B irradiance (UV-B(BE)) for 10-12 days to induce cellular oxidation. The LOOH and thiobarbituric acid reactive substance (TBARS) concentrations of these plant tissues were assessed with the FOX and iodometric assays for the former and a modified TBARS assay for the latter. There was generally good agreement between the FOX and iodometric methods both prior to and following the UV exposure. However, the iodometric assay appeared to have some difficulty in consistently quantifying lower LOOH levels (<11 microM), whereas the FOX assay measured LOOH concentrations as low as 5 microM. All tissues exhibited UV-induced increases in TBARS, indicating a marked degree of cellular oxidation in the exposed tissue segments. Compared with the iodometric assay, the FOX method consistently generated less variable LOOH values. The presence of authentic linoleic acid-OOHs in spiked avocado and spinach samples (11 microM) was identified with liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry techniques, which validated corresponding FOX assay results. The FOX method is inexpensive, is not sensitive to ambient O2 or light levels, and can rapidly generate LOOH measurements. The physiological value of the FOX assay resides in its ability to measure initial rather than more advanced fatty acid oxidation; hence, early membrane-associated stress events in plant tissue can be detected.     

Low root zone temperature effects on bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) plants inoculated with Rhizobium leguminosarum bv. phaseoli pre-incubated with methyl jasmonate and/or genistein

Abstract

Methyl jasmonate (MeJA) has recently been shown to act as a plant-to-bacteria signal. We tested the hypothesis that pre-induction of Rhizobium leguminosarum bv. phaseoli cells with genistein and/or MeJA would at least partially overcome the negative effects of low root zone temperature (RZT) on bean nodulation, nitrogen fixation and plant growth. Otebo bean plants were grown at constant air temperature (25^oC) and two RZT regimes (25 and 17^oC) and inoculated with R. leguminosarum bv. phaseoli pre-induced with MeJA and/or genistein. Our results indicate that low RZT inhibited nodulation, nitrogen fixation and plant growth. The plants growing at low RZT began fixing nitrogen seven days later compared to those at higher RZT. The low RZT plants had fewer nodules, lower nodule weight, less N fixation, slower plant growth, fewer leaves, smaller leaf area, and less dry matter accumulation comared to plants at a higher RZT. Rhzobium leguminosarum bv. phaseoli cells induced with genistein and/or MeJA enhanced bean nodulation, nitrogen fixation and growth at both optimum and suboptimum RZTs. The results of this study indicate that MeJA improves bean nitrogen fixation and growth at both optimum and suboptimum RZTs, and can be used alone or in combination with genistein to partially overcome the low RZT induced inhibitory effects on nodulation and nitrogen fixation.     

Uptake by dietary exposure and elimination of aflatoxins in muscle and liver of rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss)

Uptake and elimination of aflatoxins (AFs) by rainbow trout ( Oncorhynchus mykiss ) during a long-term (21 days) dietary exposure were studied to assess contamination by AFs in aquaculture fish fed AF-containing feed. The uptake factor (UF) of aflatoxin B(1) (AFB(1)) in muscle ranged from 0.40 × 10(-3) to 1.30 × 10(-3). AFB(1) concentrations in liver were 165-342 times higher than in muscle. AFs from feed were more highly accumulated in liver than in muscle. Aflatoxicol (AFL) and aflatoxin M(1) (AFM(1)) were detected in muscle and liver and also in the rearing water. AFL concentrations were higher than AFM(1) by 2 orders of magnitude in muscle, and AFL was a major metabolite of AFB(1). The elimination rate constants (α) of AFB(1) and AFL in muscle (1.83 and 2.02 day(-1), respectively) and liver (1.38 and 2.41 day(-1), respectively) were very large. The elimination half-life (t(1/2)) of AFB(1) was 0.38 days (9.12 h) in muscle and 0.50 days (12.00 h) in liver. The elimination half-life of AFL in muscle and liver was 0.34 day (8.16 h) and 0.29 day (6.96 h), respectively. These data show that AFs are eliminated rapidly and are not biomagnified in fish. Thus, AFB(1) concentration in muscle of fish fed AFB(1)-containing feed (ca. 500 μg/kg) decreased to below the detection limit (20 ng/kg) of the most sensitive analytical method at 1.54 days (36.96 h) after the change to uncontaminated feed.     

A modified chemical procedure for rapid determination of glucosamine and its application for estimation of mold growth in peanut kernels and koji.

One-step hydrolysis of chitin to release glucosamine for quantitation was achieved by combining a chitin-containing sample (10-200 mg of sample size) in a test tube with 1 mL of 10 M HCl followed by vacuum treatment for 10 min, incubation at 28 degrees C for 30 min, replenishment with 3 mL of deionized water, nitrogen flushing, screw capping, and heat treatment at 140 degrees C for 60 min. A phosphate buffer solution (pH 12.5, 0.2 M) was effective in pH stabilization and enhancing colorimetric determination of glucosamine content. When the modified procedure was applied to analyze glucosamine content in the mycelia of various molds, glucosamine content varied mainly depending on mold species. In estimations of mold growth of the uninoculated peanut kernels incubated under a humidified condition for 5 weeks, cooked rice and soybean inoculated with conidia of Aspergillus oryzae for koji preparation, logarithms of the internal mold populations and glucosamine contents both increased with increases of incubation time. The modified procedure provided a rapid and reliable estimation of mold growth in various substrates.     

Red mold dioscorea has greater hypolipidemic and antiatherosclerotic effect than traditional red mold rice and unfermented dioscorea in hamsters

Monascus-fermented red mold dioscorea (RMD) was proven to produce higher monacolin K levels than red mold rice (RMR) in our previous study. The goal of this study is to investigate whether the novel RMD had more hypolipidemic and antiatherosclerotic effect than traditional red mold rice. The daily dose of RMR for adults was recommended as 1 g, which corresponded to 96 mg/kg/day for hamsters. Therefore, high cholesterol diet-induced hyperlipidemic hamsters were daily administrated with a 0.5-fold (48 mg/kg/day), a 1-fold (96 mg/kg/day), or a 5-fold dose (480 mg/kg/day) of RMD for 8 weeks. Furthermore, a 1-fold dose of RMR (96 mg/kg/day) and unfermented dioscorea (96 mg/kg/day) were also respectively used to evaluate the effect of hypolipidemic and antiarteriosclerosis. The results indicated that only needing a 0.5-fold dose of RMD was able to significantly lower total cholesterol (by 13.78%, p<0.001), triglyceride (by 38.74%, p<0.01), and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels (by 43.11%, p<0.05) as well as maintain a high-density lipoprotein cholesterol level, as compared to the hyperlipidemic group. RMD including a higher monacolin K level and a dioscorea substrate was able to exhibit a more significant difference in the hypolipidemic effect than RMR or unfermented dioscorea. Both RMR and dioscorea exhibited potent in vitro antioxidative ability and in vivo protection against hypolipidemia-induced oxidative stress. Therefore, the antioxidative ability of RMD provided by Monascus metabolites (dimerumic acid, tannin, phenol, etc.) as well as dioscorea was able to perform more antiatherosclerotic effects on increasing total antioxidant status, catalase, and superoxide dismutase activity and repressing lipid peroxidation and atherosclerotic plaque than RMR and dioscorea.     

Metabolomic analysis of phenolic compounds in buckwheat (Fagopyrum esculentum M.) sprouts treated with methyl jasmonate

The effects of exogenous methyl jasmonate (MeJA) on phytochemical production in buckwheat sprouts cultivated under dark conditions (0, 1, 3, 5, and 7 d) were investigated by metabolomic analysis, using ultra performance liquid chromatography-quadrupole-time-of-flight (UPLC-Q-TOF) mass spectroscopy (MS) and partial least-squares-discriminant analysis (PLS-DA). MeJA-treated and control groups showed no differences in growth but were clearly discriminated from each other on PLS-DA score plots. The metabolites contributing to the discrimination were assigned as chlorogenic acid, catechin, isoorientin, orientin, rutin, vitexin, and quercitrin, which have various health effects. Moreover, isoorientin, orientin, rutin, and vitexin were assigned as the main phytochemicals of sprouts cultivated under dark conditions. The accumulation of these metabolites caused the phenolic compound content and antioxidant activity of the sprouts to increase. Further, this study revealed that their accumulation resulted from the stimulation of the phenylpropanoid pathway by MeJA treatment. Therefore, these metabolites may be useful for better understanding the effects of MeJA on buckwheat sprout phytochemicals and contribute to improving the functional quality of the sprouts.     

Mineral Elements Uptake and Growth of Strawberry as Influenced by Organic Substrates

Pot experiment was conducted in a greenhouse to compare the effect of four organic substrates [S1: Persian turpentine trees leaf mold (50%) + Soil (50%); S2: Oak leaf mold (50%) + Soil (50%); S3: Cypress leaf mold (50%) + Soil (50%) and S4: liquorice processing wastes (50%) + Soil (50%)] application on strawberry growth, yield, and nutrient concentration, and on some soil properties. Results showed that leaves mold and liquorice wastes application decreased pH, increased soil organic matter, and increased soil concentrations in all mineral elements studied, except for potassium (K). The amount of mineral elements in substrates had also a great influence on the leaf nutrient concentrations. High levels of nitrogen (N), K, iron (Fe), manganese (Mn), and zinc (Zn) were obtained in leaves; while phosphorus (P) concentration was lower than sufficient levels. Although, strawberry fresh and dry weights and leaf chlorophyll content were significantly higher in plants grown in S4 with no added fertilizer, the highest fruit yield was obtained in combination substrates with 50% fertilizer. Our results indicate that use of leaf mold and liquorice wastes in soil mixtures can reduce the amount of fertilizer required for optimum strawberry plant growth and yield.     

The Effect of Different Compost Compositions on Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Colonization and Nutrients Concentration of Leek (allium Porrum L.) Plant

ABSTRACT

Plant residue material produced compost is an organic fertilizer source and it is commonly used for soil amendments. Also in order to reduce the amount of chemical fertilizers need mycorrhizal inoculation can be used as an agricultural strategy. Thus, the aim of the research is to examine the effect of several residue materials produced compost and mycorrhizae fungi with two growth media on leek plant growth, nutrient uptake, and mycorrhizae spores’ production.

Eight different row organic materials and animal manures were used as compost production during 8 months. Leek (Allium porrum L.) plants were inoculated with Funneliformis mosseae and Claroideoglomus etunicatum with a level of 1000-spore per pot. The leek plant was analyzed for determination of nutrient concentration, root colonization, spore production, and shoot/root dry weight.

The composts were made from domestic waste, animal manure (bovine animal), animal manure (ovine animal), and different plant materials were determined to be the most suitable compost material for plant growth and mycorrhizal spore production compared to the rest of compost material. Mycorrhizal inoculation significantly increased leek plant growth and nutrient uptake especially phosphorus (P), potassium (K), copper (Cu) and zinc (Zn). Plants grown in 5:3:2 (volume/volume) growth media was responded better to the mycorrhizal inoculation than grown in 1:1:1 (v/v) growth media. Funneliformis mosseae inoculated plants have higher plant growth and nutrient uptake than that of Claroideoglomus etunicatum inoculation.