Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) are efficient for improving crop production and quality in organic farming systems. Our objective was to examine the effects of two AMF inocula, Rhizophagus intraradices and Diversispora spp., against a non-inoculated control on lettuce and green onion grown organically in an intercropping cropping system. At time of harvest, colonization levels were very low, and not different compared to the control that was colonized by the native mycorrhizal community. The yield of inoculated lettuce and green onion was unchanged, as also observed in the root system architecture analysis parameters. In both crops, color was not affected, limiting the possibility for consumers to reject the product. Nitrate accumulation was well below the limits set by European Commission in all treatments. Sugar, chlorophyll, K, Na and P contents were also quantified, showing no particular variations. In AMF-treated lettuce, important phytochemical characteristics, such as phenol content and ascorbic acid, showed a tendency for reduced values, while antioxidant capacity was significantly reduced by both AMF treatments. The study provides a description about the effect of AMF on two important co-cultivated crops. Research should be continued in order to determine best matches between plant material and AMF inocula that could result in enhanced production and nutritional quality.

By 2050, the increasing demand for food will put additional pressure on natural resources. Underutilized crops, such as wild vegetables, are an essential component of the Mediterranean diet and are widely correlated with the traditional cuisine of Mediterranean countries. They could be widely associated with resistance to abiotic stress and enhanced genetic diversity, and could provide various ecosystem services. Their cultivation could support the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) established by the UN and the current EU policies related to environmentally friendly agriculture. Based on an extensive literature review, the aim of this paper is to summarize the environmental and ecological requirements of specific Mediterranean underutilized vegetables, the provisioning and regulating ecosystem services that could be derived from their cultivation, and their potential use. It is concluded that thorough planning of underutilized crop cultivation could enhance the provisioning and regulating ecosystem services that positively affect Mediterranean agriculture. However, further research should be carried out regarding their environmental and economic impact in order to assess the environmental and socio-economic effects of underutilized crops cultivation. This could lead to designing future policies that support underutilized crop cultivation and consumption.