Document Type : Research Paper
Authors
1
Dept. of Horticulture Science, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Zanjan. Zanjan, Iran.
2
Dept. of Horticulture Science, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Zanjan.
10.22034/saps.2026.69787.3418
Abstract
Background and Objective: Mycorrhizal fungi (MF) can stimulate plant growth and increase the quantity and quality of crop by facilitating the absorption of mineral elements. Therefore, the effect of MF or phosphorus on bell pepper was investigated under greenhouse conditions.
Materials and Methods: An experiment was carried out as a completely randomized design with four replications in greenhouse, during 2023-2024. The experiment treatments consisted of MF at four levels: Funneliformis mosseae, Rhizophagus intraradices, Rhizophagus fasciculatus, and a combined treatment of the three species. Phosphorus was applied at two levels, 50% and 100% of recommended rate based on soil test results, and control (without MF and phosphorus).
Findings: The results indicated that the application of all three MF species, both individually and as a combined treatment, as well as phosphorus fertilizer at 100% recommended rate, improved vegetative growth. The highest leaf area (120 cm²), plant height, stem diameter, and chlorophyll content were achieved with application of combined MF treatment. Moreover, the combined mycorrhizal fungi treatment had the greatest effect on yield, increasing fruit number, fruit weight, and yield by 16.3%, 185%, and 232.6%, respectively, compared with the control. The maximum vitamin C, total soluble solids, carotenoids, phenol, and antioxidant activity were observed in plants treated with combined application of the three MF species.
Conclusion: Therefore, based on the results of this study, the combined application of three MF species can be recommended as an effective approach to enhance growth, yield, and fruit quality of sweet pepper, while substituting for chemical phosphorus.
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