Collection of exudates from wild type mycorrhizal and non mycorrhizal roots

The aim of the experiment was to define a protocol for root exudates collection from tomato plants (Solanum lycoipersicum cv. M82) colonized or not with Funneliformis mosseae, a very common mycorrhizal fungus in nature. Mycorrhizal plants were grown on sandy soil under well-watered conditions under low nitrogen and phosphorus level alongside their not-inoculated control, non mycorrhizal, plants. Exudates were collected by washing the medium with 1 volume of sterile distilled water. Collections have been performed on mature mycorrhizas (50 days from inoculum) collecting root exudates every 4 days for 4 times. After the last collection, plants were sampled and some plant traits measured. Root exudate samples will be analysed by UNITO-DISAFA in terms of total organic carbon, organic acids, amino acids, enzymes (phosphatase and phytase) and SL content.