Vineyard management systems influence on mycorrhizal fungi

Abstract

Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) play a vital role in sustainable viticulture by enhancing nutrient uptake, stress tolerance, and soil health. This research explored both the effects of vineyard management on AMF diversity and the functional impact of AMF communities on grapevine rootstocks. Vineyard surveys revealed that rootstock was the main driver of AMF followed by specific soil parameters. The study showed distinct differences in AMF communities between organic and conventional systems, with interactions between rootstock and management suggesting certain rootstocks may be better suited to organic conditions. To investigate the functional significance of these communities, a glasshouse experiment using a 'home' and 'away' design was conducted. Grapevines paired with AMF communities from their native soil ('home') showed greater biomass, chlorophyll content, and nutrient uptake than those grown with 'away' AMF. These findings highlight the specificity of AMF-rootstock relationships and suggest that targeted use of AMF communities could enhance grapevine performance and resilience, supporting more sustainable and biodiverse vineyard management practices.