ISOLATION AND IDENTIFICATION OF FLAVONOIDS FROM RI T-DNA-TRANSFORMED ROOTS (DAUCUS-CAROTA) AND THEIR SIGNIFICANCE IN VESICULAR-ARBUSCULAR MYCORRHIZA

The functional symbiotic system using Ri T-DNA-transformed roots and t he vesicular-arbuscular mycorrhizal fungus Gigaspora margarita has bee n used in several studies of mycorrhizal formation. From the extracts of these transformed roots six flavonoids were isolated and identified : three flavonols (quercetin, kaempferol, rutin or quercetin-3-rutinos ide) and three flavones (apigenin, chrysin and luteolin). The exudates contained the same compounds with the exception of chrysin which was present in trace amounts. The significance of their presence in relati on to their role as molecular signals in early events of symbiosis est ablishment is discussed.