Productive and Physiological Response of Organic Potato Grown under Highly Calcareous Soils to Fertilization and Mycorrhization Management

Abstract

The enhancement of the actual low yields is the most important challenge regarding organic farming management. In this view, a valid tool may arise by the improvement of fertilization management and efficiency. In this regard, arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) can play an important role, especially in low fertility soils such as calcareous ones, through a better nutrient uptake and by alleviating abiotic stresses. A replicated-space experiment was carried out to investigate the role of mycorrhizal-based inoculants combined with full or halved fertilizer doses on yield and physiological traits of three early potato cultivars organically grown in highly calcareous and alkaline soils. The results indicate that AMF symbiosis ameliorated, in comparison to the not-inoculated plants, the potato tolerance to limestone stress by enhancing the potential quantum efficiency of photosystem II (Fv/F0) and plant gas-exchange parameters (photosynthesis rate and stomatal conductance). Moreover, a significant improvement of marketable yield (+25%) was observed, mainly due to an increase of the number of tubers plant−1 (+21%) and, to a lesser extent, of average tuber weight (+10%). The AMF efficiency was higher applying halved fertilizer doses and in the location where soil conditions were unfavourable for potato growth. Moreover, the qRT-PCR highlighted that AMF colonization was similar in each location, demonstrating their tolerance to limestone, alkalinity and P stresses. These findings outlined that AMF are good candidate to bio-ameliorate calcareous soils and are very useful for improving potato yields under organic farming, limiting external fertilizers supply and environmental pollution.

Mycorrhizal Inoculation Improves Plant Growth and Yield of Micropropagated Early Globe Artichoke under Field Conditions

“…Such symbiotic interaction with the roots increases the ex-vitro survival of the microplants [35]. In addition, it was associated as a plant growth-promoting, as observed in previous works performed on both micropropagated and micropropagated/mycorrhized plants of globe artichoke [18,36], as well as in other crops [25,37]. Positive effects were also observed in terms of polyphenols content profile, as it was established by some authors [30,38,39].…”

“…They also act as bioprotectants against pathogens and toxic stresses [19][20][21]. Most studies were conducted under controlled conditions [22,23], but the behavior of inoculated plants after transplantation in open fields received little attention, although it is known that the efficiency of the AMF application depended upon genotype and environmental conditions [24,25]. Recently, we reported as the micropropagation, in conjunction with the mycorrhizal inoculation, may represent an efficient and sustainable strategy to improve plant phenolic compounds in globe artichoke plants [26].…”

Pseudomonas putida Isolation and Quantification by Real-Time PCR in Agricultural Soil Biodegradable Mulching

“…The Bartlett's and Shapiro-Wilk tests were performed to verify the ANOVA basic assumptions of homoscedasticity and normality, respectively. Prior to ANOVA, qRT-PCR data and populations densities needed a log 10 (x + 1)-transformation (untransformed data are reported and discussed), in accordance with Lombardo et al [23]. A generalized linear model (GLM) was performed considering the 'field treatment' and 'soil sampling time' as fixed factors.…”

Effects of Liming and Nutrient Management on Yield and Other Parameters of Potato Productivity on Acid Soils in Montenegro

“…Its nutritional value is determined by the nutrients contained in the tubers such as protein, starch, fat, vitamins, polyphenols, macroelements and microelements. In addition, it is relatively low in calories, and antinutritional substances are found in tubers in very small amounts [4][5][6][7][8]. Potatoes are of great importance for the Montenegrin economy and, according to the planted areas, represent the leading agricultural crop.…”