Mycorrhizal fungi inoculation and phosphorus fertilizer on growth, essential oil production and nutrient uptake in peppermint (Mentha piperita L.)

M.C Arango,J Beltrano,M.F Ruscitti,M.G Ronco

doi:10.1590/s1516-05722012000400018

M.C Arango, J Beltrano + Show 2 more

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https://doi.org/10.1590/s1516-05722012000400018

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Abstract

This study evaluated the effects of inoculation with the arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi Glomus mosseae, Glomus intraradices A4 and Glomus intraradices B1 and two phosphorus levels (10 and 40 mg kg-1) on root colonization, plant growth, nutrient uptake and essential oil content in Mentha piperita L. The experiment was carried out in a greenhouse, in 4x2 factorial arrangement, in completely randomized design. At sixty days after transplanting, the mycorrhizal plants had significantly higher fresh matter, dry matter and leaf area compared to non-mycorrhizal plants. The inoculation increased P, K and Ca levels in the shoot which were higher under 40 mg P kg-1 of soil. Plants grown with 40 mg P kg-1 soil increased the essential oil yield per plant by about 40-50% compared to those cultivated with 10 mg P kg-1, regardless of the mycorrhizal treatment. Among the studied fungal species, inoculation with G. intraradices A4 and a high level of P significantly increased plant growth and essential oil yield, compared to the other studied mycorrhizal fungal species. In conclusion, inoculation of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi into peppermint plants is a feasible alternative to increase the essential oil production and reduce the use of fertilizers required to obtain economic production of peppermint under phosphorus-deficient soil condition.

Highlights

Insecticidal, antifungal and antibacterial activity of mint essential oils (Souza et al, 1991; Sokoviæ et al, 2009; Derwich et al, 2010; Kumar et al, 2011)
This study evaluated the effects of inoculation with the arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi Glomus mosseae, Glomus intraradices A4 and Glomus intraradices B1 and two phosphorus levels (10 and 40 mg kg-1) on root colonization, plant growth, nutrient uptake and essential oil content in Mentha piperita L
Freitas et al (2006) observed in Mentha arvensis that the lowest values of mycorrhizal dependence occurred when the plants were inoculated with G. clarum and G. margarita and cultivated with 50 mg P kg-1 soil; the mycorrhizal dependence values increased with higher levels of P

Summary

Introduction

Insecticidal, antifungal and antibacterial activity of mint essential oils (Souza et al, 1991; Sokoviæ et al, 2009; Derwich et al, 2010; Kumar et al, 2011). Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) are the most common type of mycorrhizal association (Hodge, 2000) This association allows plants to explore larger volumes of soil, expanding the area of root absorption, increasing the area of contact with the soil, favoring the absorption of water and nutrients, especially P, and stimulating plant growth (Bressan et al, 2001; Gupta et al, 2002). Sirohi & Singh (1983) reported better root infection, higher biomass, P uptake and essential oil yield in M. piperita when associated with Glomus fasciculatus, compared to non-inoculated plants. Gupta et al (2002) concluded that inoculation with the AMF G. fasciculatum significantly increased root colonization, growth, essential oil yield and nutrient uptake in M. arvensis. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the comparative effects of different species of mycorrhizal fungi and phosphate fertilization on growth, essential oil production and mineral composition in M. piperita plants

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