Inoculation with arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi improves melon (Cucumis melo) fruit quality under field conditions and plant performance in both field and greenhouse

Previous works have suggested that arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi can enhance the quality of plant products and fruits. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to investigate the effects of AM fungi on Cucumis melo plant growth, yield, fitness and fruit quality. Inoculated and uninoculated plants of two melon cultivars (Baggio and Expò) were grown in field under common agronomic practices. In addition, a greenhouse test was run on cv. Expò in order to assess the effects of AM inoculation on shoot, leaf and flower development in semi-controlled conditions. In comparison to controls, AM plants flowered earlier, produced more flowers and their pulp contained more sugars and carotenoids. The symbiosis also improved seed size and weight, as well as their germination and root elongation in the first stages of growth in field. Concluding, AM inoculation significantly improved fruit quality in field, under commercial production conditions, also leading to the development of seeds with higher germination rate and increasing plant fitness.