Abstract

In the southern region of Saudi Arabia, junipers forest faces the risk of deterioration because of their low regeneration capacity. Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) are known to confer some protection against the various environmental stresses that may affect the regeneration process. This field study was carried out in the junipers forest to evaluate the relationship between the presence of AMF in the roots and the heavy metal and flavonoid contents in the leaves of Juniperus procera in its natural ecosystem. Heavy metals present in the leaves of J. procera were analyzed, and the flavonoids were extracted, identified and quantified. The colonization of AMF in the roots was found to be significantly correlated with the different concentrations of heavy metals in the leaves. A strong positive correlation (r²= 0.9172) was found between the percentage of AMF in the roots and the flavonoid concentration in the leaves. Conversely, a negative correlation was found between the concentrations of Cd, Co, Cu, Pb, U and Zn in the leaves and the percentage of AMF in the roots. The relationship between AMF and heavy metal and flavonoid contents in the leaves may provide insight into the dynamics of mycorrhizal symbiosis in the future conservation ofJ. procera in the degraded areas of Saudi Arabian forests.

Key words: Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi, Flavonoids, Heavy Metal, Juniperus procera.