Effect of yeast and mycorrhizae inoculation on tomato production under normal and water stress conditions

BOENEL M.; FONTENLA S.; SOLANS M.; MESTRE M.C.

REVISTA DE LA FACULTAD DE CIENCIAS AGRARIAS DE LA UNIVERSIDAD NACIONAL DE CUYO

UNIV NACIONAL CUYO

Lugar: Mendoza; Año: 2023 vol. 55 p. 141 - 151

0370-4661

The integration of beneficial microorganisms into agricultural systems can improvecrop resistance to stress and increase yields. We studied tomato (Solanum lycopersicum)production in a greenhouse experimental trial over a complete growing season. The experimentaldesign involved three factors: irrigation condition (normal/low), addition of thearbuscular mycorrhizal fungi Funneliformis mosseae (with/without), and inoculationwith four native soil yeasts (Candida aff. ralunensis; Candida sake; Lachancea nothofagiand Candida oleophila). Co-inoculation of F. mosseae and yeasts did not affect the tomatoplants. Addition of F. mosseae increased mycorrhizal colonization and production variablesregardless of irrigation level; however, its effects on growth were variable. None of the inoculatedyeasts increased mycorrhizal colonization. C. aff. ralunensis and C. oleophila inoculationincreased stem diameter under all conditions studied. C. aff. ralunensis inoculationenhanced fruit set and the fruit/flower ratio under normal irrigation conditions, while C.sake inoculation increased the fruit/flower ratio under low irrigation conditions. Arbuscularmycorrhizae inoculation is presented as a beneficial production strategy to increaseplant tolerance and improve water use. We propose that C. aff. ralunensis and C. oleophilainoculation improves plant vigor.