The extensive use of fertilizers and pesticides to sustain agricultural production has a significant environmental impact, highlighting the need for more eco-friendly alternatives. One promising approach is to promote the use of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi, which naturally colonize plant roots and establish beneficial symbiotic relationships.
Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (left) naturally live in the roots of plants, establishing a symbiotic relationship in which the plant provides carbon to the fungi, and the fungi facilitate mineral nutrients for the plant. On the left, image by MS Turmel, University of Manitoba, Plant Science Department.
Researchers at the Zaidín Experimental Station (CSIC) in Granada have developed new plant-derived compounds to serve as biostimulants in sustainable agriculture. These compounds have demonstrated excellent results in enhancing the mycorrhizal capacity of plants.
Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi live within plant roots, forming a symbiotic relationship where the plant typically supplies carbon to the fungi, while the fungi provide the plant with essential mineral nutrients. It is estimated that approximately 70% of the world's plant biomass consists of species associated with arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi.
In the context of agricultural crops, one strategy to enhance this natural symbiosis is to stimulate spore germination and the development of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi with each planting cycle. This is the primary goal of the researchers' development.
Mycorrhizal fungi offer several benefits, including improved crop productivity and soil quality. However, their application in agriculture presents challenges due to inconsistent field results, which have limited their commercialization and widespread adoption.
The newly tested compounds have shown effectiveness in both in vivo and in vitro experiments across different cultivars and have been validated under production conditions on tomato plants as a proof of concept.
These compounds can be applied individually or in combination with arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi. Their use enhances fungal efficiency and promotes mycorrhization. According to the researchers, the compounds operate at very low doses, are compatible with other commercial arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi products, are of natural origin, and are harmless to plants.
Contact:
Juan Antonio López Ráez