Physiology of the production of strawberries inoculated with arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi

Abstract

The use of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) is a strategy to increase the absorption of nutrients by plants, stimulate the plant defense system, and promote the synthesis of bioactive compounds. In addition, AMF can reduce production costs and improve the agricultural and environmental sustainability of farming systems. The objective of this study is to evaluate the effect of AMF on production and physiological parameters of strawberry cultivars. The cultivars Camarosa, Aromas, Camino Real, Monterrey, Portola, San Andreas, and Albion were evaluated in the year 2016, and Camarosa, Camino Real, Monterrey, and Albion were analyzed in the year 2017. These cultivars were grown either with or without AMF. The analyzed production variables were the total number of fruits and fruit yield and weight. Gas exchange and leaf area were also determined in 2017. Fruit yield in treated and control plants was assessed in the two study years. AMF inoculation augmented the leaf area in all cultivars except for Monterrey, photosynthetic performance in the cultivars Camarosa and Camino Real, and the transpiration rate in the cultivar Camarosa. These results indicate that AMF improve agronomic and physiological characteristics of strawberry cultivars.