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Boosting coffee seedling performance through arbuscular mycorrhizal association
Carlos C Gomes Júnior1, Raylla P B de Souza1, Karen M S Menezes2
1Departamento de Biologia Vegetal, National Institute of Science and Technology on Plant Physiology Under Stress Conditions, Universidade Federal de Viçosa, Viçosa, 36570-900, MG, Brasil.
Mycorrhiza
|December 6, 2025
Summary
Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) inoculation significantly enhances coffee seedling growth and resilience. AMF improves photosynthetic efficiency, root development, and nutrient uptake, leading to more vigorous plants.
Area of Science:
- Plant Science
- Agricultural Science
- Mycology
Background:
- Coffee (Coffea arabica) production is vital globally.
- Optimizing seedling growth and stress resilience is crucial for coffee cultivation.
- Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) are known to form symbiotic relationships with plants.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the impact of AMF inoculation on Coffea arabica seedling growth.
- To assess changes in root system architecture and photosynthetic performance.
- To evaluate the physiological and metabolic adjustments in response to AMF.
Main Methods:
- Greenhouse experiment with Coffea arabica seedlings in unsterilized soil.
- Comparison between seedlings with (+M) and without (-M) AMF inoculation.
- Measurements included growth, root architecture, gas exchange, water-use efficiency, and leaf metabolic profiles.
Main Results:
- AMF inoculation (+M) increased net CO2 assimilation and RuBisCO carboxylation capacity.
- +M plants showed improved water-use efficiency and light utilization.
- AMF enhanced root system architecture (length, surface area, volume) and foliar phosphorus, with altered leaf metabolism.
Conclusions:
- AMF inoculation promotes superior vegetative growth and stress resilience in coffee seedlings.
- AMF improves physiological and morphological traits, contributing to overall plant vigor.
- AMF application is a promising strategy for enhancing coffee nursery production and field establishment.
