Application of beta-cyclocitric acid affects mycorrhizal colonization and response at the molecular level in tomato plants
Apocarotenoids are metabolites produced by plants and include phytohormones, signalling molecules, pigments, volatiles. These compounds are derived from the oxidative breakdown of carotenoids and they are known to modulate plant molecular and biochemical responses to overcome the adverse effects of abiotic stresses. Particularly, the apocarotenoids beta-cyclocitral (beta-CC) and beta-cyclocitric acid (beta-CCA) are promising compounds reported to promote plant tolerance to drought. Additionally, a role for these compounds in arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) symbiosis has been recently documented. However, their effects on mycorrhizal colonization and plant-microorganism interaction under abiotic stress are still largely unknown. This study investigates the effects of exogenous application of beta-CCA on AM colonization and AM inoculated plant response under water deficit stress at transcriptomic level.