Isolation and Identification of Vesicular-Arbuscular Mycorrhiza-Stimulatory Compounds from Clover ( Trifolium repens ) Roots

Two isoflavonoids isolated from clover roots grown under phosphate stress were characterized as formononetin (7-hydroxy,4'-methoxy isoflavone) and biochanin A (5,7-dihydroxy,4'-methoxy isoflavone). At 5 ppm, these compounds stimulated hyphal growth in vitro and root colonization of an undescribed vesicular-arbuscular mycorrhiza, a Glomus sp. (INVAM-112). The permethylated products of the two compounds were inactive. These findings suggest that the isoflavonoids studied may act as signal molecules in vesicular-arbuscular mycorrhiza symbiosis.