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, conducted in Swiss corn-growing regions, examined the practical establishment and agronomic performance of an arbuscular mycorrhizal fungal inoculum under commercial farming conditions. The authors evaluated both the success of AMF colonisation in farmers' fields and the crop growth responses to inoculation. As suggested by the journal scope and study context, findings likely contribute evidence on the feasibility and economic benefit of deliberate AMF inoculation as a soil health and productivity intervention in temperate cereal systems.

UK applicability

Given similar temperate climate, soil types, and corn cultivation practices, UK arable farmers and agronomists may find the establishment protocols and growth response data relevant. However, differences in UK soil microbial communities, management practices, and varietal choices would require local validation before widespread adoption.

Key measures

As suggested by the title: AMF establishment rates, colonisation success, and corn growth metrics (plant biomass, yield, or related agronomic parameters)

Outcomes reported

The study assessed the establishment success of an arbuscular mycorrhizal fungus (AMF) inoculum in Swiss corn fields and measured subsequent effects on crop growth and development.

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
BFmovi26qr-0xmzuv

Topic tags

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