The role of mycorrhizal fungi and vermicompost on the yield and growth indices of apricot (Prunus armeniaca)

Organic farming is based on ecological cycles and aims to increase production with minimal environmental impact, maintain long-term soil sustainability, and reduce the use of non-renewable resources. This research aimed to replace chemical fertilizers with organic products such as mycorrhizal fungi and vermicompost in ۱۵-year-old Asifi variety apricot trees. The experiment was conducted as a factorial in a randomized complete block design with three replications at the Isfahan Agricultural and Natural Resources Research Center during the years ۲۰۲۰-۲۰۲۱. The factors examined included two species of mycorrhizal fungi (Rhizophagus irregularis and Funneliformis mosseae) and two levels of vermicompost (۵ and ۱۰ kg). The results showed that the combination of R. irregularis with ۱۰ kg of vermicompost significantly increased dry leaf weight (۵۳%) and fruit weight (۵۲%), soluble sugar content, chlorophyll content (۳۸%), and the concentration of nitrogen (۴۲%), phosphorus (۹۲%), potassium (۳۰%), iron (۳۰%), and zinc (۴۷%) compared to the control. This treatment had the greatest impact on improving the growth and physiological indices of apricot trees. The use of mycorrhizal fungi alone did not show a significant difference compared to the control, but when combined with vermicompost, their positive effect on improving the growth conditions of apricot trees was evident. Based on the results of this study, the use of mycorrhizal fungi along with vermicompost can be employed as a completely organic and biological strategy to enhance the growth of apricot trees.

Keywords:

Stone fruit tree , Earthworm , Organic agriculture , Beneficial microorganism , درختان هسته دار , کرم خاکی , کشاورزی ارگانیک , میکروارگانیسم مفید