Abstract
Excessive inorganic fertilizers applied to pineapple crops in Mexico cause the progressive degradation and pollution of soils in the short- and long-term, and they also increase production costs. An alternative to reduce excessive fertilization is its partial substitution by nutrition and growth enhancing arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF). The goal of this research was to compare the effect of AMF inoculation combined with different fertilizer doses and full chemical fertilization on pineapple yield variables in a commercial plantation. We used a randomized block design with six treatments: a non-inoculated control with 100% chemical fertilization, and five treatments with AMF inoculation and fertilization doses of 0%, 25%, 50%, 75%, and 100% chemical fertilization. There were four replicates of each treatment containing 30 plants in each experimental unit (plot). We measured the dry weight of the D-leaf 9 months after planting, and the root mycorrhizal colonization percentage, yield, and fruit quality after 18 months. Mycorrhizal inoculation equated to 100% chemical fertilization already when combined with 25% fertilization and surpassed it when combined with 50% fertilization in most of the yield variables measured. The fruit mass and organoleptic variables were significantly higher in mycorrhizal plants with 50% fertilization than in the non-inoculated control and the treatments inoculated with AMF and combined with 0%, 25%, 75%, and 100% of a dose of chemical fertilizer. Inoculation with mycorrhizal fungi in the field could reduce chemical fertilizer application by 50%, with no yield loss and with improved fruit quality.
Highlights
Mexico is the 10th largest pineapple (Ananas comosus) producer in the world
This situation affects the economy of the producers and the environment [1] as continuous application of chemical fertilizers contributes to the emission of greenhouse gases and the pollution of soil and water [2]
The results of this study showed that the application of a mycorrhizal inoculant in a soil devoid of mycorrhizal propagules could halve the chemical fertilizer inputs required and even increase the yield and quality of pineapple in comparison with the farmers method using full fertilization
Summary
Mexico is the 10th largest pineapple (Ananas comosus) producer in the world. Seventy percent of the national production is concentrated in the southeast [1]. Large quantities of fertilizers are used (3.5–5 ton/ha/cycle) to achieve the yield required by the market, not including other agrochemical products. This situation affects the economy of the producers and the environment [1] as continuous application of chemical fertilizers contributes to the emission of greenhouse gases and the pollution of soil and water [2]. On the other hand, uninterrupted monoculture for more than 30 years has increased the population of plant pathogens in the soil, especially nematodes [3], that reduce the flow of water and nutrients to the plant [4]. Farmers increase pesticide input, which affects microorganisms that contribute to soil fertility and plant nutrition [5]
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