Production and Nutritional Quality of Tomatoes (<i>Solanum lycopersicum</i> var. Cerasiforme) Are Improved in the Presence of Biochar and Inoculation with Arbuscular Mycorrhizae

Abstract

Tomato is a fruit of great nutritional interest in the basic human diet. The increasing use of agrochemicals to maintain production requires new alternatives to reduce environmental impact. Arbuscular mycorrhizae (AM) are beneficial microorganisms that favor the growth of plants improving their nutrition and development, protecting the plant from biotic and abiotic stresses and favoring the production of bioactive compounds that increase their nutritional value. The use of biochar as soil conditioner is also considered an environmentally friendly resource. A greenhouse experiment was carried out to observe the effect of the use of biochar and AM inoculation on the quality of fruits, yield and polyphenols production of Cherry tomato, Solanum lycopersicum var. Cerasiforme. A mixture of rice husk biochar with sterile sand and two inoculums of Glomeromycota native fungi: from a wetland (GWI) and a fallow field (GFI) were used. Control treatments consisted of inoculation with both GWI and GFI in sterile sand. All treatments were irrigated with 50% La Molina® hydroponic solution. After 12 weeks plants were harvested to quantify weight, number and diameters of the fruits, and yield, total polyphenols in the fruit pulp were quantified. In the presence of biochar and the two inoculums, GFI and GWI, fruit production was favored throughout the experiment. The height of the plants was significantly greater in the presence of biochar. Plants grown in biochar and inoculated with GFI had a yield of 8.2 MT/Ha, increasing in 50% this value respect to control with biochar (5.33 MT/Ha). This treatment doubled the number of fruits (59.5

Rhizophagus irregularis and biochar can synergistically improve the physiological characteristics of saline‐alkali resistance of switchgrass

“…In this process, biochar provides energy and shelter for Ri, helping them reproduce and avoid predation, thus promoting the formation of AMF symbiosis. At the same time, the combined application of Ri and biochar expanded the range of nutrient and water absorption by switchgrass roots, enhanced the absorption and utilisation of light energy and CO 2 by plants, and thus promoted the photosynthesis of switchgrass (Han et al, 2016; Castaeda et al, 2020). Jabborova et al (2021) and Sun et al (2022b) also showed that the combined application of AMF and biochar significantly increased the light and parameters (Pn, Tr, Gs) of maize ( Zea mays ) and fenugreek ( Trigonella foenum‐graecum ) compared with those of single action.…”

Plant Growth Promoting Bacteria and Arbuscular Mycorrhizae Improve the Growth of Persea americana var. Zutano under Salt Stress Conditions

“…One of them was obtained from rhizospheric soil from a fallow land in Pucallpa, Ucayali (Glomeromycota Fallow Inoculum-GFI) and the other one from rhizospheric soil of Sporobolus sp. located in Pisco, Ica (Glomeromycota Wetland Inoculum-GWI), according to Castañeda et al [ 35 ]. Both were reproduced in trap pots with Brachiaria decumbens in sterile sand, irrigated with Long Ashton’s solution, and a quarter of the dose of P every 15 days [ 36 ].…”

Effect of Co-Inoculation with Growth-Promoting Bacteria and Arbuscular Mycorrhizae on Growth of Persea americana Seedlings Infected with Phytophthora cinnamomi

“…One was obtained from rhizosphere soil from a fallow land in Pucallpa, Ucayali (Glomeromycota fallow inoculum-GFI), and the other from rhizosphere soil from Sporobolus sp. located in Pisco, Ica (Glomeromycota wetland inoculum-GWI), according to Castañeda et al [19]. Both were reproduced in trap pots with Brachiaria decumbens in sterile sand, and watered with Long Ashton's solution and a quarter dose of phosphorus (P) every 15 days [20].…”