Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi action on the quality of strawberry fruits

ABSTRACT The inoculation of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF), increasing the rhizospheric influence, might provide higher levels of bioactive compounds. Thus, the objective was to evaluate the influence of the AMF inoculation on the physicochemical components of fruit’s quality in field. Strawberry fruits from cultivars Camarosa, Aromas, Camino Real, Monterey, Portola, San Andreas and Albion in 2016, and Camarosa, Camino Real, Monterey and Albion in 2017 were either inoculated or non-inoculated with AMF. The analyzed physicochemical components of fruit’s quality were ascorbic acid, titrated acidity, pH, soluble solids, soluble solids/titrated acidity ratio, phenolic compounds, anthocyanins, and firmness. The inoculation with AMF on strawberry plants in field improved the fruit’s physicochemical attributes, increasing pH, soluble solids content, soluble solids/titratable acidity ratio and phenolic compounds content in both cultivation years (2016-2017). The inoculation of AMF has improved the characteristics of post-harvest quality in strawberry fruits.