Inoculation with isolates of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi influences growth, nutrient use efficiency and gas exchange traits in micropropagated apple rootstock ‘Marubakaido’

Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) form endosymbiosis with over 70 % of land plants, including most crops including cereals. These symbioses facilitate resource exchange between partners and can significantly increase plant nutrient uptake and growth, among other benefits. AMF ubiquity in agricultural soils, in addition to the many roles they are known to play in soil health, demands we consider them when discussing crop function. We discuss how AMF are capable of increasing crop acquisition of macro- and micronutrients. We examine further impacts that AMF have on root system architecture, and how this relates to nutrient acquisition. We highlight reasons why potential benefits of the symbiosis are often not realised and how this influences current perspectives on the utility of AMF. We also discuss aspects of modern agronomy practice which are deleterious to mycorrhizal functioning. Strategies are suggested by which mycorrhizas might be exploited in future highlighting future research priorities.

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Biostimulatory Action of Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi Enhances Productivity, Functional and Sensory Quality in ‘Piennolo del Vesuvio’ Cherry Tomato Landraces

Agronomy ◽

10.3390/agronomy10060911 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 10 (6) ◽

pp. 911 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

Petronia Carillo ◽

Angelos Kyratzis ◽

Marios C. Kyriacou ◽

Emilia Dell’Aversana ◽

Giovanna Marta Fusco ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Amino Acids ◽

Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi ◽

Mycorrhizal Fungi ◽

Agricultural Sector ◽

Nutrient Use Efficiency ◽

Arbuscular Mycorrhizal ◽

Specific Response ◽

Gamma Aminobutyric Acid ◽

Campania Region ◽

Protected Designation Of Origin

Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) are a promising tool to improve plant nutrient use efficiency (NUE) and tolerance against abiotic stresses. Moreover, AMF can potentially increase plant productivity and reduce the negative externalities of the agricultural sector. Our study aimed to elucidate whether AMF (containing Rhizoglomus irregulare and Funneliformis mosseae) could positively affect not only tomato growth and productivity but also the nutritional and nutraceutical quality of yellow-pigmented type (‘Giagiù’) and red-pigmented type (‘Lucariello’) tomatoes (Solanum lycopersicum L.). These cherry tomatoes are landraces of the Protected Designation of Origin (PDO) ‘Pomodorino del Piennolo del Vesuvio’ (PPV), one of the most typical agricultural products of the Campania region (Southern Italy). AMF rose fruit yield by increasing the number of fruits per plant (+49% and +29% in ‘Giagiù’ and ‘Lucariello’, respectively) but not of the fruit mean mass. AMF increased lycopene (+40%), total ascorbic acid (TAA; +41%), alanine (+162%), gamma-Aminobutyric acid (GABA; +101%) and branched-chain amino acids (BCAAs; +53%) in ‘Lucariello’. In ‘Giagiù’, AMF increased calcium (+63%), zinc (+45%), ASP (+70%), GABA (+53%) and the essential amino acids arginine (+58%) and lysine (+45%), also indicating a genotype-specific response. In both landraces, AMF improved nutrient uptake and biosynthesis of important molecules involved in the control the oxidative stress and cellular pH. In addition to the beneficial effects of human health, the molecules influenced by the AMF treatment are expected to extend the shelf life of tomato fruits, thus further promoting the useful agronomic application of AMF for premium tomatoes marketed fresh or in pendulums (‘piennoli’).

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