MICORRIZES – Valorisation of native arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi for improved water, nutrient and plant health management

Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) are beneficial soil micro-organisms that make a crucial contribution to agricultural crop yields. By improving nutrient uptake and water transport, as well as protecting plants against biotic and abiotic stress factors, the use of FFMA helps to optimise the use of irrigation and the application of fertilisers and pesticides without compromising plant development. This practice makes agricultural production processes more sustainable, especially in scenarios of drought and climate change.

IRTA has a collection of FFMA isolated from agricultural systems and natural ecosystems, highlighting three native fungi with potential for the agricultural sector. The aim of this proposal is to highlight their distinctive characteristics in promoting growth in drought conditions and in protecting plants against pests, reinforcing their uniqueness and their beneficial potential for the agricultural sector.

The main objective of this proposal is to valorise the FFMA in IRTA’s collection for their transfer to the sector, demonstrating their ability to improve plant development under conditions of water deficit and increased pest pressure. To achieve this objective, the following specific objectives are proposed:

1. To produce inoculum of the selected native fungi in association with a host plant.
2. To evaluate the vegetative growth of peach plants mycorrhized with the different native fungi in under controlled conditions.
3. To carry out a comparative analysis of the response of mycorrhizal peach plants under conditions of low water availability.
4. Demonstrate the beneficial impact of mycorrhization of peach plants on the presence of natural enemies of pests in the crop, especially aphids.
5. Transfer to the sector through technical/informative workshops and leaflets to promote the use of native FFMA in key crops exposed to environmental stress factors.

With these objectives, the aim is to demonstrate the particularities of the selected isolates in terms of promoting plant growth, their adaptation to unfavourable water resource situations and their potential to increase populations of natural enemies of pests.

Action of the Strategic Plan of the PAC 2023-2027 co-funded by: