Use of Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi and Beneficial Soil Bacteria to Improve Yield and Quality of Saffron (Crocus Sativus L.)

Aimo, S.; Gosetti, Fabio; D’Agostino, Giovanni; Gamalero, Elisa; Gianotti, V.; Bottaro, Mauro; Gennaro, M. C.; Berta, Graziella

doi:10.17660/actahortic.2010.850.25

Cited by 27 publications

(22 citation statements)

References 0 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Order By: Relevance

“…Thus, the corm inoculation with Ri could further increase the already high quality saffron produced in the Italian Alps [45,61]. Both of the AMF inocula increased the size of replacement corms in comparison to untreated corms ( Table 2), suggesting a positive effect on flower production for the following cultivation cycle, in agreement with Aimo et al [40] and Mohebi-Anabat et al [39]. Corm size is indeed a major factor in bulbous plants to determine the flowering capacity and production of new replacement corms [5,42].…”

Section: Crop Performance and Quality Classificationsupporting

confidence: 87%

“…Saffron root colonisation by AMF could be affected by the cultivation conditions related to the substrate composition, root temperature or the presence of antagonistic fungi naturally occurring in the soil [31,40,41,76]. In our recent studies, AM fungal colonisation was noted in C. sativus roots inoculated with Ri and Ri+Fm, both in soilless (Figures 1 and 2) and in open field conditions [12].…”

Section: Soilless Cultivation Vs Open Fieldmentioning

confidence: 78%

“…Very few reports about the effective role of AMF in saffron flowering and yield are available in the literature, and only under open field conditions. Aimo et al [40] and Caser et al [12] indicated a positive role of AMF on the saffron productive performance, with an increase in flower production (+68% and +138%, respectively, compared to the untreated corms) using AMF species belonging to the genus Glomus. Table 2.…”

Section: Crop Performance and Quality Classificationmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The positive effects of AMF on corm growth, spice yield, and the nutraceutical compound content of C. sativus have already been reported in open field trials [12,[40][41][42]. However, so far little is known of the proper saffron AMF inocula application and effects in soilless conditions, where plants are cultivated in pots filled with sterilised substrates that are free of AM fungal propagules or highly reduced in AMF diversity [43].…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

See 3 more Smart Citations

Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi Modulate the Crop Performance and Metabolic Profile of Saffron in Soilless Cultivation

et al. 2019

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Saffron (Crocus sativus L.) is cultivated worldwide. Its stigmas represent the highest-priced spice and contain bioactive compounds beneficial for human health. Saffron cultivation commonly occurs in open field, and spice yield can vary greatly, from 0.15 to 1.5 g m−2, based on several agronomic and climatic factors. In this study, we evaluated saffron cultivation in soilless systems, where plants can benefit from a wealth of nutrients without competition with pathogens or stresses related to nutrient-soil interaction. In addition, as plant nutrient and water uptake can be enhanced by the symbiosis with arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF), we also tested two inocula: a single species (Rhizophagus intraradices) or a mixture of R. intraradices and Funneliformis mosseae. After one cultivation cycle, we evaluated the spice yield, quality (ISO category), antioxidant activity, and bioactive compound contents of saffron produced in soilless systems and the effect of the applied AMF inocula. Spice yield in soilless systems (0.55 g m−2) was on average with that produced in open field, while presented a superior content of several health-promoting compounds, such as polyphenols, anthocyanins, vitamin C, and elevated antioxidant activity. The AMF symbiosis with saffron roots was verified by light and transmission electron microscopy. Inoculated corms showed larger replacement corms (+50% ca.). Corms inoculated with R. intraradices performed better than those inoculated with the mix in terms of spice quality (+90% ca.) and antioxidant activity (+88% ca.). Conversely, the mixture of R. intraradices and F. mosseae increased the polyphenol content (+343% ca.). Thus, soilless systems appeared as an effective alternative cultivation strategy for the production of high quality saffron. Further benefits can be obtained by the application of targeted AMF-based biostimulants.

show abstract

Section: Crop Performance and Quality Classificationsupporting

confidence: 87%

Section: Soilless Cultivation Vs Open Fieldmentioning

confidence: 78%

Section: Crop Performance and Quality Classificationmentioning

confidence: 99%

mentioning

confidence: 99%

See 2 more Smart Citations

Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi Modulate the Crop Performance and Metabolic Profile of Saffron in Soilless Cultivation

et al. 2019

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…Incidence of AMF, alone or in combination with plant growth promoting bacteria (PGPB), was reported in corms of C. sativus [39][40][41][42][43][44]. Different authors report that well-established AMF colonization of saffron roots results in increased corm P content, chlorophyll, fresh and dry corm mass, and leaf matter, and greater soil P and nitrogen assimilation [43][44][45].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Saffron Cultivation in Marginal Alpine Environments: How AMF Inoculation Modulates Yield and Bioactive Compounds

et al. 2018

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) establish mutualistic symbiotic associations with plant roots and act as biofertilizers by enhancing plant nutrient and water uptake. Moreover, AMF colonization may influence the biosynthesis of plant bioactive compounds in medicinal and aromatic plants. There is limited information on AMF associations with Crocus sativus L. (saffron) roots and their effect on crop performances and spice quality. In the present work we verified the efficiency of root mycorrhization in potted conditions, then we evaluated the yield and quality of the saffron produced in two Alpine sites during two cultivation cycles with the application of AMF. Two inocula were applied, either a single-species (Rhizophagus intraradices) or a multi-species mixture (R. intraradices and Funneliformis mosseae). The trial conducted in potted conditions confirmed that both AMF commercial inocula established symbiotic relationships with saffron roots. The multi-species inoculation yielded the highest content of arbuscules in colonized portions of the root (100%), while the single-species was slightly less (82.9%) and no AMF were recorded in untreated control corms. In open-field conditions, AMF colonization of the root systems, flower production, and saffron yields were monitored, and bioactive compounds contents and antioxidant activity in the dried spice were analysed using spectrophotometry and high performance liquid chromatography. Overall, the saffron produced was high quality (ISO category) and had high contents of bioactive compounds, with very high total polyphenol content and elevated antioxidant activity. The use of arbuscular mycorrhizal symbionts as biostimulants positively affected saffron cultivation, improving the crop performances and the content of important nutraceutical compounds. In particular, the inoculum composed by R. intraradices and F. mosseae increased flower production and the saffron yield. R. intraradices alone enhanced the spice antioxidant activity and the content of bioactive compounds such as picrocrocin, crocin II, and quercitrin. Since saffron is the world’s highest priced spice, the increases in yield and quality obtained using AMF suggests that farms in marginal areas such as alpine sites can increase profitability by inoculating saffron fields with arbuscular mycorrhiza.

show abstract

AM fungi and PGP pseudomonads increase flowering, fruit production, and vitamin content in strawberry grown at low nitrogen and phosphorus levels

et al. 2014

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

There is increasing interest in the quality of crops because of the implications concerning health, economic revenue, and food quality. Here we tested if inoculation with a mixture of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) and/or two strains of plant growth-promoting bacteria (PGPB), in conditions of reduced chemical inputs, affects the quality and yield of strawberry fruits. Fruit quality was measured by concentrations of soluble sugars, various organic acids, and two vitamins (ascorbic and folic acid). Co-inoculation with the AMF and each of the two PGPB resulted in increased flower and fruit production, larger fruit size, and higher concentrations of sugars and ascorbic and folic acid in comparison with fruits of uninoculated plants. These results provide further evidence that rhizospheric microorganisms affect fruit crop quality and show that they do so even under conditions of reduced chemical fertilization and can thus be exploited for sustainable agriculture.

show abstract

Use of Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi and Beneficial Soil Bacteria to Improve Yield and Quality of Saffron (Crocus Sativus L.)

Cited by 27 publications

References 0 publications

Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi Modulate the Crop Performance and Metabolic Profile of Saffron in Soilless Cultivation

Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi Modulate the Crop Performance and Metabolic Profile of Saffron in Soilless Cultivation

Saffron Cultivation in Marginal Alpine Environments: How AMF Inoculation Modulates Yield and Bioactive Compounds

AM fungi and PGP pseudomonads increase flowering, fruit production, and vitamin content in strawberry grown at low nitrogen and phosphorus levels

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About