Biochemical Analysis of Healthy and Infected Soybean Plants with Fusarium solani and Fusarium oxysporum

Abstract Soybean is an economically important legume crop that is severely affected by soil-borne fungal pathogens, particularly Fusarium oxysporum and Fusarium solani which cause root rot and wilt diseases. The present study investigates 14 minerals. It was observed that due to infection of F. oxysporum and F. solani, there was noticeable reduction in the Starch, Reducing sugar, and Total sugar, DNA, Potassium, Calcium, Magnesium, Sulphur, Sodium, Zinc, Ferrous, Copper, Manganese and Molybdenum. Whereas Polyphenols, RNA and Ash were increased in infected Soybean plants. This may be in response to host. The present investigation evaluates the biochemical and mineral alterations in healthy and infected soybean roots to understand host–pathogen interactions and disease-induced metabolic shifts. Quantitative analysis revealed that infection by both Fusarium species resulted in a marked decline in starch, reducing sugars, total sugars, DNA content, and essential macro- and micronutrients including potassium, calcium, magnesium, sulphur, sodium, zinc, iron, copper, manganese, and molybdenum. These reductions indicate disruption of carbohydrate metabolism, nucleic acid stability, and nutrient uptake due to fungal colonization and root tissue damage. Conversely, infected plants exhibited increased levels of polyphenols, RNA, and ash content, reflecting the activation of defense responses and enhanced synthesis of stress-related biomolecules. Comparative analysis further indicated that F. solani induced relatively more pronounced biochemical changes and higher polyphenol accumulation than F. oxysporum, suggesting a more aggressive pathogenic impact. Overall, the study highlights that Fusarium infection leads to nutritional depletion and metabolic imbalance in soybean roots while simultaneously triggering host defense mechanisms, providing insights useful for disease management and crop improvement strategies.