Role of Combined Inoculation with Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi, as a Sustainable Tool, for Stimulating the Growth, Physiological Processes, and Flowering Performance of Lavender

Gheorghe Cristian Popescu and Monica Popescu
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Gheorghe Cristian Popescu: Department of Applied Sciences and Environmental Engineering, Faculty of Sciences, Physical Education and Informatics, University of Pitesti, 110040 Pitesti, Romania
Monica Popescu: Department of Natural Sciences, Faculty of Sciences, Physical Education and Informatics, University of Pitesti, 110040 Pitesti, Romania

Sustainability, 2022, vol. 14, issue 2, 1-13

Abstract: Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) are essential soil microorganisms for terrestrial ecosystems and form beneficial symbioses with the root systems of most agricultural plants. The purpose of this paper was to examine the effect of the community of six AMF on the growth, physiological response, and flowering performance in organic potted lavender culture. The mixture of AMF containing Rhizophagus irregularis , Claroideoglomus claroideum , Funneliformis mosseae , Funneliformis geosporum , Claroideoglomus etunicatum , and Glomus microaggregatum was added in a pot with peat, volcanic rock, and coconut bark. We analyzed the fresh shoot biomass, root biomass, total plant biomass, leaf area, flowering performance, photosynthesis rate, and photosynthetic pigment content. Pearson’s correlation coefficient was performed to get a better understanding of the relationships between the studied variables. The total plant biomass was more pronounced in plants with AMF-S 20g (212.01 g plant −1 ) and AMF-S 30g (220.25 g plant −1 ) than with AMF-S 10g (201.96 g plant −1 ) or in untreated plants (180.87 g plant −1 ). A statistically significant increase for Chl a, Chl b, and Car was found for AMF-S 20g and AMF-S 30 . Our findings suggest that the AMF mixture application in a growing substrate with peat, coconut bark, and volcanic rock improved plant growth, physiological processes, and ornamental value in mycorrhizal lavender plants. This environmentally friendly agricultural practice could be used for the sustainable production of lavender.

Keywords: arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi; environmentally friendly practices; organic growing substrate; lavender; plant physiology; sustainability of agricultural systems; symbiosis (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2022
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