Akademik Veri Yönetim Sistemi
Applied Fruit Science, cilt.67, sa.6, 2025 (SCI-Expanded, Scopus)
Walnut (Juglans regia L.) is an economically and nutritionally valuable crop, yet its rootstock performance is often constrained by calcareous soils characterized by high pH, excessive CaCO3, and low phosphorus availability. In the current study, the effects of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) inoculation on nutrient acquisition and morphological development of clonal ‘Vlach’ walnut rootstocks were evaluated under field conditions in calcareous soils. A dual inoculation strategy of AMF inoculation significantly enhanced root colonization (93.18%) compared to the control (55.42%). Leaf mineral analyses revealed notable increases in nitrogen (+21.1%), phosphorus (+22.4%), and especially manganese (+348.6%), with positive trends in potassium and zinc uptake as well. Morphological assessments showed substantial improvements in stem diameter (+37.6%), lateral branch diameter (+30.5%), branch length (+43.3%), and a threefold expansion of the branching zone (47.5 cm vs. 13.0 cm). Contrary to the expected antagonism, such as P–Zn or Mn–Zn, principal component analysis revealed that all minerals were positively correlated, indicating coordinated enrichment facilitated by AMF-mediated root surface expansion. The results demonstrate how AMF symbiosis enhances nutrient assimilation, structural vigor, and trait coordination, supporting canopy development and sustainable orchard management, while offering an eco-friendly alternative to reduce fertilizer, especially under marginal environments.