Field trial evaluates commercial mycorrhizal inoculants for onion production under irrigated conditions in eastern Oregon.
This field trial evaluated the effects of commercial arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) inoculants on onion production under irrigated conditions in Irrigon, Oregon in 2017. Multiple inoculant products were tested for their ability to colonize onion roots and influence plant growth and yield in a commercial production setting. Root colonization by AMF was observed but varied among treatments and was influenced by field conditions. Despite evidence of colonization, there were no consistent or significant improvements in onion growth or yield associated with inoculant use. Environmental conditions and existing soil fertility likely played a larger role in determining crop performance than AMF additions. These results align with other field-based findings showing that commercial AMF inoculants may not reliably improve crop outcomes in high-input systems, even when colonization occurs. The study provides practical, field-based evidence to inform decisions about the use of mycorrhizal products in onion production systems.
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Authors
du Toit, L. J., Derie, M., Holmes, B., Miller, C., Brouwer, B., Waters, T. D., and Darner, J.
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Related Project
Year Published
2019
Area of Focus
Agricultural Practices
Topics
Crops and Production Systems
Collaborators
- Washington State University Mount Vernon Northwestern Washington Research & Extension Center
