Paula Aguilera1, Ninozhka Becerra1, Marysol Alvear2, Nancy Ortiz1, Alessandra Turrini3, Concepción Azcón-Aguilar4, Miguel López-Gómez5, Juan K Romero1, Mariajosé Massri2, Alex Seguel1, María de La Luz Mora1, Fernando Borie1,6. 1. Scientific and Technological Bioresource Nucleus (BIOREN), Universidad de La Frontera, Temuco, Chile. 2. Departamento de Ciencias Químicas y Recursos Naturales, Facultad de Ingeniería y Ciencias, Universidad de La Frontera, Temuco, Chile. 3. Department of Agriculture Food and Environment, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy. 4. Departamento de Microbiología del suelo y Sistemas Simbióticos, Estación Experimental del Zaidín, CSIC, Granada, Spain. 5. Departamento de Fisiología Vegetal, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de Granada, Granada, Spain. 6. Facultad de Recursos Naturales, Universidad Católica de Temuco, Temuco, Chile.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Tomato is widely consumed throughout the world for its flavor and nutritional value. This functional food largely depends on the implementation of new strategies to maintain the nutraceutical value, e.g. lycopene concentration, and overcome the challenges of sustainable production and food security. The use of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF)-based biostimulants represents one of the most promising tools for sustainable management of agricultural soils, being fundamental for organic food production, reducing fertilizers and pesticides use, and decreasing environmental damage. This study aimed at elucidating whether native arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) could positively affect tomato yield and lycopene concentration. RESULTS: Native AMF inoculum consisted of two inoculum types: the single species Claroideoglomus claroideum, and a mix of Scutellospora calospora, Acaulospora laevis, Claroideoglomus claroideum, and Claroideoglomus etunicatum. At the end of the study up to 78% of the root system was colonized by single inoculum. Tomato diameters in single and mix mycorrhizal plants showed increases of 80% and 35% respectively. Fresh weights were 84% and 38% higher with single and mix inocula compared with the controls, respectively. The lycopene concentration in tomato fruits of plants with single and mix inoculum was higher than controls. The lycopene concentration was 124.5% and 113.9% greater in single and mix than non-inoculated plants. CONCLUSION: Tomato diameters, fresh weight and lycopene concentration was significantly higher in plants colonized by AMF compared with uninoculated plants. Results suggest that the role of single species Claroideoglomus claroideum could generate better plant performance due to its high production of extraradical mycelium.
BACKGROUND: Tomato is widely consumed throughout the world for its flavor and nutritional value. This functional food largely depends on the implementation of new strategies to maintain the nutraceutical value, e.g. lycopene concentration, and overcome the challenges of sustainable production and food security. The use of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF)-based biostimulants represents one of the most promising tools for sustainable management of agricultural soils, being fundamental for organic food production, reducing fertilizers and pesticides use, and decreasing environmental damage. This study aimed at elucidating whether native arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) could positively affect tomato yield and lycopene concentration. RESULTS: Native AMF inoculum consisted of two inoculum types: the single species Claroideoglomus claroideum, and a mix of Scutellospora calospora, Acaulospora laevis, Claroideoglomus claroideum, and Claroideoglomus etunicatum. At the end of the study up to 78% of the root system was colonized by single inoculum. Tomato diameters in single and mix mycorrhizal plants showed increases of 80% and 35% respectively. Fresh weights were 84% and 38% higher with single and mix inocula compared with the controls, respectively. The lycopene concentration in tomato fruits of plants with single and mix inoculum was higher than controls. The lycopene concentration was 124.5% and 113.9% greater in single and mix than non-inoculated plants. CONCLUSION: Tomato diameters, fresh weight and lycopene concentration was significantly higher in plants colonized by AMF compared with uninoculated plants. Results suggest that the role of single species Claroideoglomus claroideum could generate better plant performance due to its high production of extraradical mycelium.
Authors: Paula Aguilera; Nancy Ortiz; Ninozhka Becerra; Alessandra Turrini; Felipe Gaínza-Cortés; Patricia Silva-Flores; Ana Aguilar-Paredes; Juan Karlo Romero; Emilio Jorquera-Fontena; María de La Luz Mora; Fernando Borie Journal: Front Microbiol Date: 2022-03-03 Impact factor: 5.640