Influence of Colonization by Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi and a Root Endophyte on Selected Strawberry Cultivars Under Salt Conditions

Abstract

Two factorial greenhouse experiments were performed to determine the effects of four arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) species (Glomus arenarium, Funneliformis caledonius, F. mosseae, and Rhizophagus irregularis) and a root endophyte (Piriformospora indica) on four ‘day-neutral’ strawberry (Fragaria × ananassa Duch.) cultivars (‘Albion’, ‘Charlotte’, ‘Mara des Bois’, and ‘Seascape’), and mixed-AMF species (R. irregularis + F. mosseae) on cv. ‘Seascape’, under salt conditions (0-200 mM NaCl). In its biomass, ‘Seascape’ was more tolerant to salinity than the other cultivars. Cultivars responded differently to fungal inoculation as to salinity. G. arenarium had a negative effect on plant growth and ‘Mara des Bois’ responded negatively to inoculation. Among the remaining inoculants and cultivars, fungal-symbiosis was beneficial to growth. R. irregularis alleviated the symptoms of salt stress and improved fruit quality to a higher degree than the other AMF species and the root endophyte. Our results support the use of bio-inoculants in salty horticultural areas.