Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungus Stimulates Young Field-Grown Nectarine Trees

Although mycorrhizae applications have been widely used to improve the establishment and growth of agricultural crops, there no studies on their application in field-grown nectarine trees. In this work, a commercial arbuscular mycorrhizal fungus (AMF; Glomus iranicum var. tenuihypharum) was applied by means fertigation inoculate young “Flariba” trees grown south-eastern Spain evaluate its effect plant water status, vegetative reproductive growth. Using minirhizotrons measure root dynamics over complete growing season, revealed that AMF substantially increased (51% increase compared with untreated trees), while changes status or canopy development were noted. The productive response improved inoculated trees, as demonstrated significantly higher yield, fruit size, number fruits per tree greater crop load efficiency values than Given same amount irrigation solution both treatments, use 19.5% findings study suggest simple inoculation can be considered good practice semi-arid agro-systems firmly establish efficient enhance adaptation field conditions.