Interactive influence of elevated CO2 and arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi on sucrose and coumarin metabolism in Ammi majus

The elevated level of CO2 (eCO2) and arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) have been known as successful eco-friendly agents for plant growth and development as well as quality enhancers. The current investigation was designed to study the influence of eCO2 (620 μmol CO2 mol−1 air) and AMF on sucrose and phenylpropanoid metabolism, including coumarins, the most important bioactive metabolite in Ammi majus. eCO2 and AMF were applied, and different parameters have been assessed in A. majus such as changes in mycorrhizal colonization, plant biomass production, photosynthesis, and levels of N, P, and Ca besides the key metabolites and enzymes in sucrose and coumarins metabolic pathways. The present outcomes revealed that eCO2 and AMF individually or combined enhanced the plant biomass and photosynthesis as well as nutrient concentrations. Furthermore, the levels of sucrose, soluble sugars, glucose, fructose, and the activities of some key enzymes in their metabolism besides phenylpropanoids metabolites in shoot and root of A. majus have been enhanced by eCO2 and AMF especially when combined. Moreover, upregulation of sucrose is linked to phenylpropanoids metabolic pathway via upregulation of phenylalanine ammonia-lyase activity suggesting high coumarin biosynthesis. Generally, the synergistic effect of both treatments was noted for most of the investigated parameters compared to the individual effect. It could be concluded that the combined application of eCO2 and AMF affects A. majus global metabolism and induces accumulation of phyto-molecules, coumarin, which might improve its medicinal and pharmacological applications. •eCO2 and AMF enhanced sucrose and PAL activity in A.majus therefore affects global metabolism and induces coumarin accumulation.