Pulse Brain · Growing Health Evidence Index
Tier 3 — Observational / field trialPeer-reviewed

Establishment success and crop growth effects of an arbuscular mycorrhizal fungus inoculated into Swiss corn fields

S. Franz Bender, Klaus Schlaeppi, Alain Held, Marcel G. A. van der Heijden

Agriculture Ecosystems & Environment · 2018

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Summary

This field trial investigated the practical establishment and agronomic efficacy of an arbuscular mycorrhizal fungal inoculant in Swiss corn production systems. The work addresses the persistent challenge of inconsistent mycorrhizal inoculant performance under field conditions, examining both colonisation success and crop growth responses across multiple sites and seasons.

UK applicability

UK arable farmers growing corn (maize) under comparable temperate conditions may find these results relevant, though establishment success of fungal inoculants is known to vary significantly with soil type, agronomic practice, and climate. Direct application would require validation under UK field conditions and consideration of current soil microbial communities.

Key measures

Arbuscular mycorrhizal colonisation rates, plant growth metrics, crop yield components, establishment success in contrasting soil and field conditions

Outcomes reported

The study examined establishment success of an arbuscular mycorrhizal fungus (AMF) inoculant in Swiss corn fields and its effects on crop growth parameters. Researchers measured colonisation rates, plant biomass, and yield-related traits under field conditions.

Theme
Farming systems, soils & land use
Subject
Soil biology & microbiology
Study type
Research
Study design
Field trial
Source type
Peer-reviewed study
Status
Published
Geography
Switzerland
System type
Arable cereals
DOI
10.1016/j.agee.2018.12.003
Catalogue ID
BFmor3gc43-mhf3t1

Topic tags

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