Mycorrhiza could reduce fertiliser use in durum wheat cultivation by 50% — study

Italian researchers have found that using beneficial soil fungi in durum wheat cultivation could reduce mineral fertiliser application rates by 50% without compromising yields or grain quality. The findings were published in the scientific journal New Medit. The proposed approach combines modern durum wheat varieties with arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi, which improve nutrient uptake and increase plant resilience to adverse weather conditions.

The researchers used commercial strains of the mycorrhizal fungi Rhizoglomus irregulare and Funneliformis mosseae, which were applied directly to the soil during sowing. The experiments were conducted in two stages: first under controlled phytotron conditions and then in experimental fields in Italy, including the drought-prone regions of Apulia and Sicily. During the trials, standard mineral fertiliser application rates were reduced by half, with particular attention to phosphorus deficiency, while drought conditions were also simulated.

Two durum wheat varieties, Iride and Aureo, were selected for the study due to their different productivity levels and technological grain characteristics. The researchers assessed root development, biomass accumulation, chlorophyll content, protein levels and gluten quality parameters. The results showed that both varieties were able to interact effectively with mycorrhizal fungi, maintaining productivity and grain characteristics important for pasta production even under reduced mineral nutrition.

The positive effects are explained by the symbiotic relationship between the fungi and wheat roots. Fungal hyphae form an extensive network in the soil, allowing plants to access additional moisture and nutrients, particularly phosphorus that would otherwise be difficult to absorb. Mycorrhiza also helps activate plant defence mechanisms, reducing the negative effects of high temperatures and water shortages. In the trials, this helped maintain protein formation and grain quality under stressful conditions.

According to the researchers, mycorrhizal treatments offer opportunities to reduce mineral fertiliser costs and the environmental impact of durum wheat cultivation. This approach could be particularly promising in regions with limited rainfall and high agrochemical costs. At the same time, the findings highlight the importance of considering the ability of wheat varieties to interact with beneficial soil microorganisms when breeding new varieties and developing improved cultivation technologies.

Tags: wheat, fertilizers, durum, mycorrhiza