The Effects of Mycorrhiza Application and Reduced Phosphorus Fertilization on Plant Growth, Nutrient Uptake, and Yield in Greenhouse Pepper Cultivation
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.15377/2409-9813.2026.13.2Keywords:
Biofertilizers, Capsicum annuum, Greenhouse agriculture, Phosphorus use efficiency, Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF).Abstract
Following the Industrial Revolution and the resulting growth in the world’s population, maximising agricultural production yields has become a fundamental objective. Consequently, the use of chemical fertilisers has become widespread. However, the long-term intensive use of these inputs has led to a decline in soil fertility and salinisation, as well as the deterioration of soil health. This has prompted the development of alternative approaches to sustainable agricultural practices. One such approach is the use of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF), a type of biological fertiliser that establishes a symbiotic relationship with plant roots. This enhances plant growth, increases the root surface area, and improves nutrient uptake and resistance to abiotic stress conditions. In greenhouses in particular, eliminating beneficial microorganisms through the use of high inputs and soil disinfection processes results in the disappearance of mycorrhizal populations. This increases dependence on chemical fertilisers for greenhouse cultivation. In this study, two different AMFs (Rhizophagus clarus and Funneliformis caledonius) were applied in three different ways (once during seed sowing, once during seedling stage, and twice during seed sowing and seedling stage) to pepper cultivation in steam-sterilized soil where natural AMFs were eliminated. The effects of these applications on the development, yield, and nutrition of the pepper plant were investigated. In conclusion, the addition of AMF to the soil in greenhouses positively affected plant growth, nutrient uptake, and yield. Yield increased by 16% in single-application treatments compared to the control, while it increased by 29% in two-application treatments. Similar results were obtained for plant growth and nutrition. The use of mycorrhizae in greenhouse vegetable cultivation also guarantees less chemical use, a cleaner environment, and higher-quality products.
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