The olive tree is the cornerstone crop for the Mediterranean, but its growth, due to climate change and anthropogenic problems, is often hindered by difficult environmental conditions, such as drought and high soil salinity. A study conducted by Porras-Soriano and colleagues has shown that the arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) can significantly improve olive tree growth, nutrient absorption and salinity tolerance.
Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi establish a symbiotic relationship with plant roots, improving their ability to absorb water and essential nutrients such as nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P) and potassium (K). These elements are essential for plant growth and their resistance to environmental stress.
Nutrient Absorption
In agricultural soils there are at least 25.000 fungal species, representing approximately 70% of the microbial biomass. Telluric fungi are divided into three main groups: saprophytic, pathogenic and mutualistic. Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi, belonging to the mutualistic group, are the main constituents of fungal biomass and play a crucial role in soil and plant health. These fungi, thanks to the production of glomalin, an iron-containing glycoprotein, contributes to soil stability and nutrient absorption.
The researchers grew olive seedlings under nursery conditions, inoculating them with three AMF species: Glomus mosseae, Glomus intraradices e Glomus claroideum. Plants were exposed to both normal and saline soils to evaluate the effects of mycorrhizal symbiosis. More