Microbial biostimulants as alternatives for the rooting of olive tree cuttings

Abstract

Currently, southern Minas Gerais (MG) state is an important producer of different olive tree (Olea europaea L.) cultivars because, in this region, the plants can differentiate the buds to produce flowers and fruit. To stimulate the rooting of cuttings, the synthetic hormone indole-3-butyric acid (IBA) at a concentration of 3 g L−1 is used commercially. However, few studies have investigated arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF), isolated or combined with rhizobacteria, as a biotechnological tool to produce hormones that function in the rooting of olive tree cuttings. The aim of this study was to evaluate the capacity of different AMF species (Rhizophagus clarus, Gigaspora rosea, or Acaulospora scrobiculata), combined or not with IBA or rhizobacteria, to promote the rooting of three olive tree cuttings (Arbequina, Grappolo 541, and Maria da Fé) with potential for cultivation in this region. For this, three experiments were conducted at the Experimental Farm of EPAMIG in Maria da Fé (MG), and the rooting potential of the olive tree cuttings inoculated with I) AMF, II) AMF combined with increasing doses of IBA, and III) AMF combined with three isolates of rhizobacteria was evaluated. The inoculation of olive tree cuttings of cultivars Arbequina, Grappolo 541, and Maria da Fé with Rhizophagus clarus, Gigaspora rosea, or Acaulospora scrobiculata combined or not with IBA or rhizobacteria did not significantly promote rooting. Alternative forms of rooting olive tree cuttings are still a challenge, and further studies for standardizing methodologies and experimental conditions are required.

Microbiome Associated with Olive Cultivation: A Review

“…Thus, a new study with the objective of evaluating the capacity of different AMF species ( Rhizophagus clarus , Gigaspora rosea , or Acaulospora scrobiculata ), combined or not with IBA or rhizobacteria, was conducted to promote the rooting of cuttings of three olive tree cultivars (Arbequina, Grappolo 541, and Maria da Fé), in Maria da Fé, Brazil [ 69 ]. The methodology involved olive tree cuttings inoculated with (I) AMF, (II) AMF combined with increasing doses of IBA, and (III) AMF combined with three isolates of rhizobacteria.…”

“… Subjects covered in the selected papers, in percentage, addressing the studies on microbiology of olive trees in Brazil, between brackets. In situ status [ 3 ], Yield by AMF [ 64 ], Yield by PGPR [ 65 , 66 , 69 ], Yield by AMF + PGPR [ 67 , 68 ], Review [ 5 ], General microbiome [ 70 ]. …”