Effects of pre- and post-transplant inoculation with commercial arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi on pelargonium (Pelargonium hortorum) and its microorganism community

Abstract

Rooted cuttings of geranium were grown with and without a slow release fertilizer and inoculated or not with a commercial inoculum containing AM fungi. After six weeks plants were transplanted into larger containers and one-half of the plants were inoculated with AM. Inoculation increased pelargonium growth along with nitrogen, phosphorous and potassium concentrations in shoot than caused a slight decrease in shoot growth and enhanced N concentration. Colony forming units of total fungi and bacteria in the rhizosphere were not influenced by AM; although RFLP profiles of DNA isolated from bacteria living in rhizosphere showed a more diverse community in AM-inoculated than non-inoculated plants at low nutrient supply. Our results suggest that mycorrhizal inoculation not only has an effect on plant growth and uptake of elements but it also influences directly or indirectly the bacterial community of the rhizosphere.

<b>Mycorrhizal inoculation affects the phytochemical content in strawberry fruits

“…Using Glomus intraradices Palencia, Martinez, and Weiland (2013) rose two inoculation dates (at the time of transplantation and four weeks) to study its effect on the production of the 'Primoris' cultivar, but found no significance. However, similar studies performed in Pelargonium horturom by Csima, Hernádi, and Posta (2012) conclude that a pre-inoculation is more practical as lower expenses of inoculum is required in addition to result in taller plants with a higher nutrients absorption capacity. But there are not studies to determine the most effective time for strawberry mycorrhizal inoculation in relation to quality.…”