Field Application of the Mycorrhizal Fungus <i>Rhizophagus irregularis</i> Increases the Yield of Wheat Crop and Affects Soil Microbial Functionalities

Abstract

The aim of this study was to test the impact of Rhizophagus irregularis, an arbuscular mycorrhizal fungus (AMF), on durum wheat growth and soil microbial functionalities in a field inoculation trial conducted in Morocco. The results showed that i) the R. irregularis inoculum effectively improved wheat growth, ii) wheat growth promotion depended on the soil mycorrhizal infectivity and iii) functional abilities of soil microflora depended on AMF inoculation. This study confirms that field AMF inoculation can be proposed as an effective agronomic practice in wheat production and as a sustainable cultural practice to manage soil biofunctioning. To fully promote inoculation practices, a better knowledge of AMF ecology has to be acquired to better adapt AMF inoculation to environmental conditions, and thus warrant better yields and agricultural sustainability.

Genome-Scale Modeling Specifies the Metabolic Capabilities of Rhizophagus irregularis

“…Rhizophagus irregularis (previously wrongly ascribed to Glomus intraradices [ 4 ]) is one of the most extensively studied AMF, shown to form symbioses with a variety of agriculturally relevant plants. Soil inoculation with R. irregularis leads to improved overall plant growth ( 5 – 8 ), fruit quality ( 9 , 10 ), and yield ( 11 – 14 ). Further, R. irregularis confers robustness against multiple abiotic stress conditions ( 15 – 22 ).…”

Genome-scale modeling specifies the metabolic capabilities of Rhizophagus irregularis

“…Rhizophagus irregularis (previously wrongly ascribed to Glomus intraradices (4)) is one of the most extensively studied AMF, shown to form symbioses with a variety of agriculturally relevant plants. Soil inoculation with R. irregularis leads to improved overall plant growth (5)(6)(7)(8), fruit quality (9,10), and yield (11)(12)(13)(14). Further, R. irregularis confers robustness against multiple abiotic stress conditions (15)(16)(17)(18)(19)(20)(21)(22).…”