Summary: The aim of this study was to assess whether arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) inoculation using a biofertilizer containing clays, leek root pieces, and Glomus intraradices spores could enhance the alkalinity tolerance of two cucumber genotypes while investigating the agronomic and physiological changes induced by AM. A greenhouse experiment was conducted to evaluate yield, growth, fruit quality, net photosynthesis (ACO2), electrolyte leakage, and mineral composition of two cucumber genotypes (hybrid “Ekron” and open-pollinated variety “Marketmore”) with and without inoculated arbuscular mycorrhizal biofertilizer. The plants were supplied with nutrient solutions at two pH levels (6.0 or 8.1), with the high pH solution containing additional NaHCO3 and CaCO3.
Root colonization percentage was higher in “Marketmore” (21.8%) compared to “Ekron” (12.7%). “Ekron” exhibited significantly higher total and marketable yield as well as total biomass compared to “Marketmore” by 189%, 213%, and 77%, respectively. This superior performance was attributed to improved nutritional status (higher levels of N, P, K, Ca, Mg, Fe, Mn, and B), larger leaf area, and net photosynthesis in “Ekron”. Increasing NaHCO3 concentration in the nutrient solution led to decreased yield, plant growth, ACO2, and concentrations of various nutrients in leaf tissue, along with increased electrolyte leakage.
Under alkaline conditions, inoculated plants displayed higher total, marketable yield, and total biomass compared to noninoculated plants. Mycorrhizal cucumber plants grown under alkaline conditions exhibited higher macronutrient concentration in leaf tissue compared to noninoculated plants. The increased yield and biomass in inoculated plants were attributed to the maintenance of higher net ACO2 and better nutritional status (higher levels of P, K, Mg, Fe, Zn, and Mn, and lower Na accumulation) in response to bicarbonate stress compared to noninoculated plants.
Publication: Biology and Fertility of Soils
