https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9196-6091
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Abstract
Morocco has launched a vast program to rehabilitate the argan tree (Argania spinosa) and extend its cultivation under modern management (arganiculture). The promotion of tree growth in the greenhouse and the field as well as their tolerance to biotic and abiotic constraints are key factors for the success of this program. Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi play an important role in improving mineral nutrition, growth, development, and tolerance of plants to biotic and abiotic stresses. The objective of the present work is to evaluate the effectiveness of promoting growth and mineral nutrition of argan trees by a multi-species consortium of autochthonous mycorrhizal fungi ‘Rhizargan’ isolated from 15 Moroccan argan soils. The study was conducted on two contrasting ecotypes of argan (Admine) and (Lakhsas). The performance of plants inoculated with ‘Rhizargan consortium’ was monitored for thirteen months and then compared to that of plants inoculated with a pure commercialized strain of Rhizophagus irregularis. Results show that inoculation with ‘Rhizargan consortium’ improves plant growth and mineral nutrition more than R. irregularis. Our results can strongly benefit the arganiculture program, especially since ‘Rhizargan consortium’ is composed of several endomycorrhizal species allowing them to respond to a greater diversity of crops and pedoclimatical conditions.
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No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).
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Notes on contributors
Merieme Soufiani
Salama Aissam, Abdelilah Meddich and Cherkaoui El Modafar designed and supervised the research. Merieme Soufiani performed the experiments, carried out the analysis, interpreted the data and wrote the manuscript. Abderrahim Ferradous provided the plant material. Allal Douira provided the mycorrhizal inoculum. Merieme Soufiani, Salama Aissam, Hanane Boutaj, and Cherkaoui El Modafar revised and finalized the paper. All authors read and approved the final version of the manuscript.
Salama Aissam
Salama Aissam, Abdelilah Meddich and Cherkaoui El Modafar designed and supervised the research. Merieme Soufiani performed the experiments, carried out the analysis, interpreted the data and wrote the manuscript. Abderrahim Ferradous provided the plant material. Allal Douira provided the mycorrhizal inoculum. Merieme Soufiani, Salama Aissam, Hanane Boutaj, and Cherkaoui El Modafar revised and finalized the paper. All authors read and approved the final version of the manuscript.
Hanane Boutaj
Salama Aissam, Abdelilah Meddich and Cherkaoui El Modafar designed and supervised the research. Merieme Soufiani performed the experiments, carried out the analysis, interpreted the data and wrote the manuscript. Abderrahim Ferradous provided the plant material. Allal Douira provided the mycorrhizal inoculum. Merieme Soufiani, Salama Aissam, Hanane Boutaj, and Cherkaoui El Modafar revised and finalized the paper. All authors read and approved the final version of the manuscript.
Abderrahim Ferradous
Salama Aissam, Abdelilah Meddich and Cherkaoui El Modafar designed and supervised the research. Merieme Soufiani performed the experiments, carried out the analysis, interpreted the data and wrote the manuscript. Abderrahim Ferradous provided the plant material. Allal Douira provided the mycorrhizal inoculum. Merieme Soufiani, Salama Aissam, Hanane Boutaj, and Cherkaoui El Modafar revised and finalized the paper. All authors read and approved the final version of the manuscript.
Allal Douira
Salama Aissam, Abdelilah Meddich and Cherkaoui El Modafar designed and supervised the research. Merieme Soufiani performed the experiments, carried out the analysis, interpreted the data and wrote the manuscript. Abderrahim Ferradous provided the plant material. Allal Douira provided the mycorrhizal inoculum. Merieme Soufiani, Salama Aissam, Hanane Boutaj, and Cherkaoui El Modafar revised and finalized the paper. All authors read and approved the final version of the manuscript.
Abdelilah Meddich
Salama Aissam, Abdelilah Meddich and Cherkaoui El Modafar designed and supervised the research. Merieme Soufiani performed the experiments, carried out the analysis, interpreted the data and wrote the manuscript. Abderrahim Ferradous provided the plant material. Allal Douira provided the mycorrhizal inoculum. Merieme Soufiani, Salama Aissam, Hanane Boutaj, and Cherkaoui El Modafar revised and finalized the paper. All authors read and approved the final version of the manuscript.
Cherkaoui El Modafar
Salama Aissam, Abdelilah Meddich and Cherkaoui El Modafar designed and supervised the research. Merieme Soufiani performed the experiments, carried out the analysis, interpreted the data and wrote the manuscript. Abderrahim Ferradous provided the plant material. Allal Douira provided the mycorrhizal inoculum. Merieme Soufiani, Salama Aissam, Hanane Boutaj, and Cherkaoui El Modafar revised and finalized the paper. All authors read and approved the final version of the manuscript.