Summary
This controlled study investigated the interactive effects of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi inoculation and melatonin irrigation on drought tolerance in kiwifruit seedlings. Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi primarily improved root development and nutrient acquisition, whilst melatonin enhanced aboveground growth and antioxidant capacity; combined application demonstrated additive effects on biomass accumulation, photosynthetic performance, and oxidative stress mitigation under water-limited conditions. The findings suggest practical value for enhancing drought resilience in horticultural crops through integrated microbial and plant hormone strategies.
Regional applicability
This research was conducted in China and examined a subtropical/temperate vine crop. Whilst the fundamental mechanisms of mycorrhizal-melatonin interaction may apply to United Kingdom horticulture, direct transferability depends on climate zone, soil type, and local kiwifruit cultivars. The drought stress conditions tested may not represent typical UK rainfall patterns, though the approach could inform management of water stress during dry periods in protected or outdoor UK kiwifruit production.
Key measures
Root and shoot biomass, water use efficiency, nitrogen/phosphorus/iron uptake, AM colonization rate, spore density, hyphal length density, chlorophyll content, photosynthetic efficiency, catalase activity, malondialdehyde accumulation, reactive oxygen species removal
Outcomes reported
The study measured the combined effects of arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi inoculation and melatonin application on kiwifruit seedling drought tolerance, assessing root and shoot biomass, nutrient uptake (nitrogen, phosphorus, iron), water use efficiency, antioxidant enzyme activities, chlorophyll content, photosynthetic efficiency, and oxidative stress markers. Results demonstrated that AM fungi primarily enhanced root biomass and nutrient uptake whilst melatonin promoted shoot biomass and antioxidant responses, with synergistic improvements in drought tolerance when combined.
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