SOD CULTURE MANAGEMENT CONTRIBUTES TO SUSTAINABLE FRUIT GROWING THROUGH PROPAGATION OF ARBUSCULAR MYCORRHIZAL FUNGI AND THEIR HELPER-MICROORGANISMS AND DECREASING OF AGRICULTURAL INPUTS

The current research aimed to evaluate the sod culture system with Naginatagaya (Vulpia myuros (L.) C. C. Gmel.) and chemical fertilization on a Japanese apricot (Prunus mume) orchard, and the functions of bacteria harbored by AMF on its surface or its spores. The reduction of chemical fertilizers increased the number of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) propagules in soil in summer and did not affect the mineral nutrition of J. apricot plants. Also some bacteria associated to AMF were useful as phosphorus solubilizers, biocontrol agents against soil-borne plant pathogens (Rosellinia necatrix Kobayashi strain isolated from J. apricot, Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. lactucae MAFF 744088, Rhizoctonia solani MAFF 237426 and Pythium ultimum NBRC 100123) and to stimulate AMF hyphal growth. These results indicated that sod culture system would greatly contribute to fruit production, with significant reduction on chemical fertilizers and agrichemicals together with AMF and their associated bacteria.