Improvement of Nutritional Quality of Tomato Fruit with Funneliformis mosseae Inoculation under Greenhouse Conditions

Long-term soil mining with extensive cultivation practices and traditional breeding methods have declined the flavor nutritional value of tomatoes. Apart from important mineral nutrients (i.e., nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium), fungi known as arbuscular mycorrhizae (AM) can considerably improve quality agricultural production through higher phosphate uptake. Using hydroponically cultured commercially available tomato cultivars, we investigated possible effects in improving fruit. Funneliformis mosseae (syn. Glomus mosseae)-inoculated plants were grown on a 1:1 mixture peat vermiculite, different phosphorus levels applied. RNAseq metabolites studied to confirm relative gene expression fruit tissues. The results showed that AM inoculation low significantly fruit-quality traits such free amino acids, lycopene (47.9%), β-carotene (29.6%) without compromising yield. Further, differentially expressed genes (DEGs) identified by comparing ripening potential fruits produced mycorrhizal non-mycorrhizal plants. Notably, carotenoids sugars (BRIX values) found be mycorrhized contrast non-mycorrhized Therefore, current study suggests mycorrhization promising approach for high-quality human consumption.