The Mediterranean area is expected to be strongly affected by the climate change determining a reduction of the average yearly precipitation, which leads to water scarcity. Tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill.) is one of the most important vegetable crops widely cultivated in Mediterranean. Tomato is a waterdemanding crop, and, consequently, water deficit can result in severe yield decreases compared with cultivation under fully irrigated conditions. Among others, drought causes nutrition disturbances as roots are unable to take up a range of nutrients from the soil due to reduced root activity and interruption of water continuity in soil pores. In addition, the high costs and excessive fertilizer application in intensive cropping systems also raises economical and environmental concerns, respectively. The symbiotic relationship between arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) and higher plant roots helps plants cope with drought stress (Leventis et al., 2021). Nowadays, there is considerable interest in harnessing these fungal bioresources as bioinoculants for improving growth and tolerance to sub-optimal conditions of economically important crops. The aims of this study are to examine the effects of two commercial mycorrhizal products on tomato production.
Improving Tomato Production by Inoculation of Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi
Valentina Quintarelli;Emanuele Radicetti
;Mortadha Ben Hassine;
2023
Abstract
The Mediterranean area is expected to be strongly affected by the climate change determining a reduction of the average yearly precipitation, which leads to water scarcity. Tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill.) is one of the most important vegetable crops widely cultivated in Mediterranean. Tomato is a waterdemanding crop, and, consequently, water deficit can result in severe yield decreases compared with cultivation under fully irrigated conditions. Among others, drought causes nutrition disturbances as roots are unable to take up a range of nutrients from the soil due to reduced root activity and interruption of water continuity in soil pores. In addition, the high costs and excessive fertilizer application in intensive cropping systems also raises economical and environmental concerns, respectively. The symbiotic relationship between arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) and higher plant roots helps plants cope with drought stress (Leventis et al., 2021). Nowadays, there is considerable interest in harnessing these fungal bioresources as bioinoculants for improving growth and tolerance to sub-optimal conditions of economically important crops. The aims of this study are to examine the effects of two commercial mycorrhizal products on tomato production.I documenti in SFERA sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.
