MYCORRHIZAL IMPACT ON CHLOROPHYLL CONTENT AND ANTIBACTERIAL ACTIVITY OF COLEUS AMBOINICUS

Mycorrhiza in general are the symbiotic fungi which grows in root favouring both the host and
the colonizer. The host benefit by nutrient uptake specifically Potassium. The resistance to soil
borne pathogens and pests are also reported due to the presence of mycorrhiza. Improved
resistance to heavy metals and drought are the other benefits reported. In compensation the
nutrient need, i.e. carbohydrate are compensated to the symbiotic fungi colonizing the roots of
the host. The plant studied here are found to be the natural colonizer for the mycorrhiza among
the plants belonging to Lamiaceae. In this study, the host plant is inoculated with the
mycorrhizal fungi, Glomus sp. to learn its impact on the chlorophyll content and the
antibacterial activity of the host plant, Coleus amboinicus. The plant was grown in soil
inoculated with Glomus macrocarpum and control soil like a) soil without mycorrhiza b)
Vermicompost as a biofertilizer c) Non native soil, i.e. soil from irrelevant land nature and d)
Native soil without any amendment. The plant grown in these soil types were examined for the
chlorophyll A, Chlrophyll B and Total Chlorophyll content. Further, the antibacterial potency
of the host plant inoculated with mycorrhiza were studied for their antibacterial property againt,
Bacillus subtilis, Klebsiella pneumonia, Salmonella typhi and Staphylococcus aureus using
well diffusion method. The results showed that the plant possess more Chlorophyll content and
recorded more antibacterial efficacy against the bacteria studied when compared with control
soils. The study promotes the usage of mycorrhizal fungi on any of the agricultural plant for
better property.