Mohammad Reza Taheri

The arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) form symbiotic, mutually beneficial relationships in the rhizosphere, and modulate phosphorus’ (P) availability to regulate plant growth, nutrient uptake, and quality. However, their roles in cut-flower species remain poorly understood. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of single and dual inoculation with Glomus intraradices and G. mosseae on Lisianthus (Eustoma grandiflorum) grown under three P levels (10, 20, and 40 mg kg⁻¹) in greenhouse conditions. Under intermediate P, dual-inoculated plants exhibited the greatest above-ground vigor, with increases in stem length (+31%), dry shoot weight (+67%), and highest shoot P (+54%) and N (+23%) content, compared with non-inoculated controls. Under low P, dual inoculation maximized dry root weight (+63%) and mycorrhizal colonization, whereas AMF effects diminished at high P. Principal component analysis showed that there were distinct mycorrhizal interactions (PCA2, 20.3% variance) and a close integration between vegetative growth and nutrient accumulation (PCA1, 54.3% variance). For the first time, this study demonstrates that Lisianthus exhibits a strong response to dual AMF inoculation, offering a novel strategy to enhance growth, nutrition, and ornamental quality when P fertilization is optimized. By reducing chemical fertilizer use, this dual AMF–P management offers a sustainable framework for high-quality cut-flower production.

With the world’s population and pollutants on the rise, it is crucial to find sustainable and environmentally friendly solutions that increase production efficiency. Organic horticulture is an effective strategy for creating a harmless and sustainable crop production system. Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) have been proposed as reliable biofertilizers for sustainable agriculture, and inoculum production is a rapidly expanding market. AMF can enhance plant nutrition and growth, but their efficacy varies depending on the plant species, inoculum type, and available P concentrations. This study evaluates the response of ornamental statice (Limonium sinuatum [L.] Mill.) to mycorrhizal inoculation (first factor) with Glomus mosseae (M1), G. intraradices (M2), or their mixture (M3), plus non-inoculation (M0), and varying available P concentrations (second factor) of 10 (control, P1), 20 (P2), and 40 (P3) mg kg⁻¹ soil in greenhouse conditions in a factorial experiment based on randomized complete block design with three replications. Root colonization, growth parameters, some ornamental traits, and the absorption of P, N, K, Ca, Zn, and Fe were measured. Root colonization was estimated as 30–65% and was reduced approximately by 32.4% with increasing P concentration in the soil. The lowest colonization percentage was recorded in P3 (45.69, 39.31, and 30.18 for M1, M2, and M3, respectively). Statice plants were positively influenced by inoculation, especially with G. mosseae in moderately available P (P2), which was also confirmed by the results of the principal component analysis. Overall, inoculated plants exhibited better nutritional status, growth, and ornamental traits than non-inoculated plants. Furthermore, mycorrhization delayed the time to the flowering of statice by 12, 7, and 9 days in M1, M2, and M3, respectively, compared to non-mycorrhizal (M0) plants. In conclusion, mycorrhizal inoculation can improve the plant nutrition, growth, and ornamental value of statice by selecting appropriate inoculum and optimal P concentrations. The results of this study suggest that mycorrhizal inoculation can be effectively used in the future to increase the quantity and quality of statice production.