Mycorrhizal Inoculation Improves Mineral Content of Organic Potatoes Grown under Calcareous Soil

Abstract

Soil mycorrhization can play an important role for the qualitative improvement of organically grown “early” potato tubers especially in low fertility soils (such as calcareous ones), by ameliorating plant uptake of limiting mineral nutrients in the soil. Hence, the objective of the present research was to elucidate the impact of soil mycorrhization on the tuber minerals content of three potato cultivars organically grown in two locations with different soil characteristics. Our data revealed the keyrole of soil mycorrhization on the tuber accumulation of Na, Cu, Mn, and P and on reducing the Na/K ratio, although the effects of soil mycorrhization were cultivar- and location-dependent. Accordingly, soil mycorrhization was able to enhance the levels of K and Ca in ‘Arizona’ and that of Mn in ‘Universa’, while it increased the Zn amount in all the cultivars under study. Additionally, soil mycorrhization significantly improved the levels of Cu and Mn in tubers in the location characterized by an initial higher soil level of these micro-minerals. This work highlighted the possibility to fortify organic early potato tubers, in terms of macro- and micro-mineral elements, by applying an eco-sustainable tool such as soil mycorrhization, provided that specific consideration is given to cultivar choice and soil characteristics.

Keywords

• “early” potato
• organic farming
• arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi
• calcareous soils
• tuber mineral composition
• sustainability