Contrasting effects of commercial and native arbuscular mycorrhizal fungal inoculants on plant biomass allocation, nutrients and phenolics

Abstract

As the global population increases, the need to feed more people must be met while simultaneously conserving the long-term sustainability of our agroecosystems. There is mounting interest and discussion around the application of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungal (AMF) inoculants to enhance crop growth, nutrient uptake and pest resistance. However, the effects of AMF inoculation are variable and context dependent. This study shows the stronger effects of an AMF inoculant with greater number of fungal species, but that these effects are no better than re-inoculating plants with a field-sourced native AMF inoculant.