Summary
This two-year field trial examined the synergistic interactions between three arbuscular mycorrhizal fungal strains and Sinorhizobium meliloti rhizobia in alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.). Co-inoculation treatments, particularly Funneliformis mosseae with S. meliloti, significantly enhanced root colonisation, biomass accumulation, photosynthetic performance, and protein quality (increasing readily and intermediate-degradable protein fractions whilst reducing non-protein nitrogen). The findings demonstrate that AMF and rhizobia exhibit substantial complementary effects on plant nutrition and productivity, with potential applications in sustainable legume production systems.
Regional applicability
Alfalfa is widely cultivated in temperate regions including the United Kingdom for livestock forage and soil improvement. The findings on AMF–rhizobia synergies could be transferable to UK farming conditions, though regional soil microbial communities and climate (particularly moisture and temperature regimes) may influence colonisation rates and effectiveness; field validation in UK soils would strengthen applicability.
Key measures
Mycorrhizal colonisation rate, nodule number, aboveground biomass, plant height, stem diameter, acid detergent fibre content, net photosynthetic rate, light-use efficiency, protein fractions (PB1, PB2, PA, PC), non-protein nitrogen
Outcomes reported
The study measured effects of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) and rhizobia co-inoculation on alfalfa growth, root morphology, nutritional quality, photosynthesis, and protein fractions across two years. Co-inoculation treatments significantly increased biomass, plant height, stem diameter, photosynthetic rate, and improved protein composition whilst reducing fibre content and non-protein nitrogen.
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