Inoculation with arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi improves melon (Cucumis melo) fruit quality under field conditions and plant performance in both field and greenhouse

Plant adaptation to hyperosmotic environments is generally associated with reduced growth and ultimately yield loss, making farming difficult. The potential of mycorrhizal symbioses to alleviate salt stress has been documented and benefits to plant revealed to be specific and dependent to both plant cultivars and fungal strains. A factorial greenhouse experiment was performed to determine the effects of three arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) species (Funneliformis caledonius, F. mosseae and Rhizophagus irregularis) on three ‘day-neutral’ strawberry (Fragaria × ananassa Duch.) cultivars (‘Albion’, ‘Charlotte’ and ‘Seascape’), and a mixture of R. irregularis and F. mosseae on ‘Seascape’, under four salt conditions (0–200 mM NaCl). The overall results showed that plant biomass decreased with increasing salinity. The cultivars responded differently to both AMF and salinity, and ‘Seascape’ was more tolerant to salinity than the other cultivars. AMF enhanced plant growth and improved salt tolerance by increasing the proportion of medium (0.5<ɸ≤1.5 mm) and coarse (ɸ>1.5 mm) diameter roots. The mixture of two AMF species increased root and shoot mass to a higher degree than each species alone at low salinity (0–50 mM) but reduced fruit quality. At higher levels (100–200 mM), R. irregularis alleviated salt stress and improved fruit quality to a higher degree than the other AMF species. Our results support the use of bio-inoculants in saline horticultural areas. Because cultivars respond differently to fungal inoculants, and inoculants prefer specific environmental conditions, fungal inoculants need to be screened on a cultivar- and condition-specific basis.

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EFFECTS OF ARBUSCULAR MYCORRHIZAL FUNGI ON MAIZE (ZEA MAYS L.) UNDER ZINC DEFICIENT AND TOXIC FIELD CONDITIONS

Applied Ecology and Environmental Research ◽

10.15666/aeer/1903_21512169 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 19 (3) ◽

pp. 2151-2169

Author(s):

A. SABOOR ◽

M.A. ALI

Keyword(s):

Zea Mays ◽

Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi ◽

Mycorrhizal Fungi ◽

Zea Mays L ◽

Arbuscular Mycorrhizal ◽

Field Conditions

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Organic farming practices in a desert habitat increased the abundance, richness, and diversity of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi ♣

Emirates Journal of Food and Agriculture ◽

10.9755/ejfa.2019.v31.i12.2057 ◽

2020 ◽

pp. 969

Author(s):

Sangeeta Kutty Mullath ◽

Janusz Błaszkowski ◽

Byju N. Govindan ◽

Laila Al Dhaheri ◽

Sarah Symanczik ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi ◽

Organic Farming ◽

Mycorrhizal Fungi ◽

Diversity Index ◽

Agricultural Practices ◽

Arbuscular Mycorrhizal ◽

Farming System ◽

Plant Performance ◽

Desert Ecosystem ◽

Native Plant

Agricultural practices are known to affect the diversity and efficiency of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) in improving overall plant performance. In the present study we aimed to compare the abundance, richness, and diversity of AMF communities under organic farming of a desert ecosystem in the Arabian Peninsula with those of an adjacent conventional farming system and native vegetation. In total, 12 sites, including six plant species, were sampled from both farming systems and the native site. Spore morphotyping revealed 24 AMF species, with 21 species in the organic farming system, compared to 14 species in the conventional site and none from rhizosphere soil of a native plant (Tetraena qatarensis). The AMF spore abundance, species richness, and Shannon–Weaver diversity index were high under organic farming. In both systems, the AMF community composition and abundance associated with different crops followed similar trends, with pomegranates having the highest values followed by limes, grapes, mangoes, and lemons. Our results show that organic farming in such a desert ecosystem promotes AMF diversity. These data imply that AMF might play an important role in the sustainable production of food in resource-limited desert habitats.

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