Description: The effect of Glomus intraradices inoculation on the growth and antioxidant activity of mountain tea (Sideritis scardica Griseb.) was determined. Two-months-old mountain tea seedlings were grown during 10 weeks on the soil/sand (w/w=3:1) substrate in a glass house. Mycorrhizal colonization improved shoot and root dry biomass accumulation and increased total phenols and flavonoid content. During the period of vegetative growth the level of antioxidant metabolites (ascorbate acid and reduced glutathione) and the antioxidant enzymes guaiacol peroxidase and catalase decreased as a result of the mycorrhizal colonization. A favorable effect of root colonization with Glomus intraradices was observed regarding the levels of ascorbate peroxidase and super oxide dismutase. We conclude that inoculation of Sideritis scardica Griseb. with Glomus intraradices resulted in enhanced plant dry biomass accumulation, but the antioxidant defense was not efficient enough during the period of vegetative growth

Remarks: Proceedings of the XI National Conference on Plant Physiology, 18-19 november 2009, Sofia, Bulgaria