Mycorrhizal inoculation enhances productivity, mineral nutrition, pomology, and bioactive compounds of sweet cherry under field conditions on calcareous soils

Abstract

Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) are increasingly recognized as a sustainable biological approach to improve nutrient acquisition and fruit quality in horticultural crops. Their role is particularly important under calcareous soil conditions where nutrient availability is restricted, thereby reducing reliance on intensive chemical fertilization. This study evaluated the effects of AMF inoculation on root colonization, yield, mineral composition, pomological traits, and fruit biochemical composition of two sweet cherry cultivars (‘0900 Ziraat’ and ‘Sweetheart’) under field conditions. Mycorrhizal inoculation significantly increased root colonization compared to non-inoculated trees (from 54.35% to 95.05%). Fruit mineral concentrations increased under AMF treatment, particularly nitrogen (+ 26.9%), phosphorus (+ 18.9%), potassium (+ 19.1%), calcium (+ 26.1%), and magnesium (+ 12.1%). Main pomological (fruit weight, fruit width, fruit length) and biochemical characteristics (soluble solid content, titratable acidity, and pH) were not significantly affected, whereas functional bioactive compounds were markedly enhanced, including total phenolics (+ 13.9%), total anthocyanins (+ 10.8%), vitamin C (+ 18.1%), and antioxidant activity (+ 15.8%). Principal component analysis separated inoculated and non-inoculated treatments. It also showed that arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi inoculation was associated with higher yield, mineral accumulation, and bioactive compound levels. Obtained results demonstrate how AMF inoculation increases yield without altering pomological traits while simultaneously promoting biochemical enrichment, thereby enhancing the nutraceutical quality of sweet cherry under calcareous soil conditions.