Mycorrhizal Fungal Inoculation Reshapes Chemotype, Nutritional Status, and Metabolic Signatures to Enhance Bioactivity in Origanum compactum Benth.

Combined Effects of Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi, Plant Growth-Promoting Rhizobacteria, and Mineral Fertilization on the Physiological, Biochemical, and Nutritional Properties of Chilaca Chili Pepper (Capsicum annum L.)

Pepper fruits contain diverse primary and secondary metabolites, including ascorbic acid, carotenoids, phenolics, and flavonoids, which contribute to nutritional quality, antioxidant capacity, coloration, and consumer acceptance. Chilaca chili pepper (Capsicum annuum L.) is a Mexican cultivar valued for its distinctive flavor and pungency, representing a valuable resource for studying fruit quality and sustainable crop improvement. This study evaluated the individual and combined effects of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) and plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) on growth, physiological responses, antioxidant activity, and fruit quality traits. Twelve treatments in a 3 × 2 × 2 factorial designs were evaluated for chlorophyll, soluble solids, biomass, APX and LOX activities, and vitamin C and capsaicin contents at three ripening stages (green, mid-red, and red). Enzyme activities were determined spectrophotometrically, and bioactive compounds were quantified from methanolic fruit extracts. Microbial inoculation primarily improved fruit physiological quality rather than vegetative growth. Biomass and growth traits showed no significant differences among treatments (p > 0.05), whereas biochemical responses exhibited distinct ripening-dependent patterns. APX activity, vitamin C, and capsaicin increased from green to mid-red stages and declined at full ripeness. Bacillus sp.-based treatments (T1 and T2) produced a significant transient increase in LOX activity during mid-ripening, while T7 showed a similar but weaker response. AMF progressively enhanced LOX activity and capsaicin accumulation in green fruits. PGPR effects were strain-dependent, with Bacillus sp. promoting early capsaicin accumulation and A. deleyi favoring higher levels during advanced ripening. Overall, AMF and PGPR differentially regulate antioxidant metabolism, vitamin C accumulation, and capsaicinoid biosynthesis while interacting with mineral fertilization to improve fruit quality. These findings support beneficial microorganisms as sustainable tools for enhancing nutrient-use efficiency and fruit nutritional and functional value without replacing mineral fertilization.

Improved growth and antioxidant responses via arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi–mediated changes in phenolic compounds in two tomato landraces under salt stress

Glomus iranicum var. Tenuihypharum as a Biofertilizer Modulates Soil Microbial Community Composition and Enhances Soil Carbon Dynamics in Nectarine Cultivation

The development of biofertilization strategies based on arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) represents a promising approach to enhance crop productivity and soil health while reducing the environmental footprint of conventional fertilization. This study evaluated the effects of Glomus iranicum var. tenuihypharum inoculation on soil physicochemical properties, abundance and diversity of soil microbial communities, and physiological performance of nectarine ( Prunus persica var. nucipersica ) under Mediterranean field conditions. Soil inoculation with G. iranicum var. tenuihypharum significantly increased soil organic carbon, microbial biomass, and basal respiration, together with enhanced plant photosynthetic rate and stomatal conductance. These improvements were accompanied by early, but transient shifts in soil microbial community composition. The structure of the fungal community exhibited a marked alteration at the initial sampling point (30 days after application). Nevertheless, the differences in fungal community composition between inoculated and control soils diminished by the second sampling (90 days after application). This trend suggests a transient shift in plant–soil communication dynamics. Bacterial assemblages also responded, showing a reduction in Actinobacteria (e.g., Rubrobacter , Solirubrobacter ) and an increase in Acidobacteria and Gammaproteobacteria. Additionally, the abundance of the ammonia‐oxidizing archaeon Nitrososphaera increased following inoculation, suggesting potential effects on nitrification processes. Overall, Glomus iranicum var. tenuihypharum enhanced soil carbon storage and microbial activity, while stimulating plant physiological performance, without causing long‐lasting alterations to the native microbiome. These results highlight the potential of products containing Glomus iranicum var. tenuihypharum as biofertilizers as part of a sustainable strategy to improve soil functionality, nutrient cycling, and crop productivity in Mediterranean fruit agroecosystems.

Combined effects of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi and selenium nanoparticles on photosynthesis and nutritional quality of Ocimum basilicum L

Although selenium nanoparticles (SeNPs) and arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) are each known to enhance plant growth and stress tolerance, their combined application in medicinal herbs remains largely unexplored. This study evaluates how the concurrent action of applied SeNPs and AMF root colonization reprograms photosynthetic metabolism, antioxidant defense, and secondary metabolite pathways in sweet basil (Ocimum basilicum L.). In a factorial greenhouse experiment with four treatments (control, AMF, SeNPs, and AMF + SeNPs), the combined treatment markedly enhanced fresh and dry biomass accumulation by 72.8% and 96.2%, respectively. The treatments yielded strong additive benefits for gas exchange and pigment accumulation, where the combined application markedly enhanced net photosynthetic rate by 65.5% and chlorophyll level by 75.7%. This was in line with additively suppressed photorespiration, reflected in a 57.9% and 62.1% decline in glycolate oxidase and hydroxypyruvate reductase activity, respectively. The AMF–SeNPs interaction also enhanced phenylpropanoid-derived antioxidants (individual and total phenolic acid and flavonoids) amplifying total antioxidant capacity by 38.2%. By integrating biological and technological interventions, this study establishes an eco-efficient framework that maximizes both crop productivity and bioactive medicinal quality through improved redox homeostasis. While these greenhouse results are promising, future field trials with varied dosages remain essential to confirm the practical scalability of this combined approach.

Endophytes and Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi as Bioinoculants for Enhancing Oil Palm (Elaeis guineensis Jacq.) Tolerance to Abiotic Stress: A Review

Oil palm (Elaeis guineensis Jacq.) is a strategically important plantation commodity whose productivity is significantly influenced by environmental conditions. Abiotic stresses, particularly drought, impede plant growth and substantially reduce yield. As the impacts of climate change intensify and pressure on land resources increases, sustainable approaches to enhance plant resilience are increasingly needed. Among these,  this study employs a systematic literature review and comparative analysis of globally published scientific literature (2021–2026) to examine the physiological, biochemical, and molecular mechanisms of beneficial microorganisms. Specifically, it synthesizes findings on how endophytes and arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) improve plant water and nutrient status, mitigate oxidative stress, and enhance growth and stress tolerance in oil palm (Elaeis guineensis Jacq.) the utilization of beneficial microorganisms such as endophytes and arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) has emerged as a promising strategy. This review aims to summarize and analyze the roles of endophytes and mycorrhizae in improving the tolerance of oil palm to various abiotic stresses, based on globally published scientific literature. The synergistic interaction between endophytes and AMF has been shown to positively affect plant nutrient and water status, reduce oxidative stress, and improve growth from the seedling to the mature plant stage under stress conditions. Despite promising findings across multiple studies, field-scale application still faces several challenges, including the selection of compatible strains, formulation stability of inoculants, and optimization of application techniques at the plantation scale. Future research should focus on strain-specific synergism, large-scale inoculant production, and integrated management strategies to translate laboratory findings into practical solutions for sustainable oil palm cultivation.

Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi combined with mycorrhizal helper bacteria synergistically enhance cadmium stress resistance of cucumber seedlings and change soil bacterial community.

This study examines whether the mycorrhizal helper bacterium (MHB) Alcaligenes faecalis can enhance the cadmium resistance conferred by the arbuscular mycorrhizal fungus (AMF) Funneliformis mosseae in cucumbers. We evaluated plant growth, nutrient status, and rhizosphere microbiota across four treatments: non-inoculated control (CK), single inoculation of AMF (F), single inoculation of MHB (S), and co-inoculation of AMF and MHB (FS). Compared with the other three treatments, the FS treatment not only significantly increased the contents of N, P, and K in the plants, but also significantly increased the contents of soil nitrate N, available P, and available K. Moreover, the F, S and FS treatments have significantly decreased root Cd concentration and Cd content in the rhizosphere soil compared with the CK treatment. Different inoculation treatments have changed the relative abundance, composition and diversity of cucumber rhizosphere bacterial community. The F, S and FS treatments significantly increased Chao 1, Simpson index and number of OTUs compared with the CK treatment. The relative abundances of soil bacteria such as Ramlibacter, Mitsuaria, Flavisolibacter, Lysobacter, Sphingomonas and Massilia in the FS treatment were significantly higher than those in the other three treatments. Overall, our findings suggest that FS treatment enhances the resistance of cucumber seedlings to Cd stress, and this effect may be associated with changes in the rhizosphere microbial community, activation of soil nutrients, and enhanced plant nutrient uptake.