Soil microbiome indicators can predict crop growth response to large-scale inoculation with arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi.

ABSTRACT: Alternative solutions to mineral fertilizers and pesticides that reduce the environmental impact of agriculture are urgently needed. Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) can enhance plant nutrient uptake and reduce plant stress; yet, large-scale field inoculation trials with AMF are missing, and so far, results remain unpredictable. We conducted on-farm experiments in 54 fields in Switzerland and quantified the effects on maize growth. Growth response to AMF inoculation was highly variable, ranging from -12% to +40%. With few soil parameters and mainly soil microbiome indicators, we could successfully predict 86% of the variation in plant growth response to inoculation. The abundance of pathogenic fungi, rather than nutrient availability, best predicted (33%) AMF inoculation success. Our res

SUBMITTER: Lutz S 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10730404 | biostudies-literature | 2023 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature