Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi prevent the negative effect of drought and modulate the growth‐defence trade‐off in tomato plants

Introduction A wide range of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) can be applied to agricultural soils as biofertilizers for increasing crop growth and yield. Current research also shows that AMF stimulate plant defences against a herbivores pathogens. However, date, the efficient use in agriculture is largely impaired by our inability predict performance different AMF-plant complexes variable environments. For instance, AMFs foraging capacity might alleviate allocation constraints relation versus defences. whether this effect occurs depend on situ conditions. The main goal study was investigate context-dependency ability modulate resistance under soil water availability. Materials Methods To address goal, we performed greenhouse experiment measuring inocula (Funneliformis mosseae, Rhizophagus irregularis, or both) tomato plants (Solanum lycopersicum) an insect herbivore two conditions: normal watering regime drought We measured functional, physiological chemical traits plants. Results found presence generally decreased growth, but increased generalist caterpillars. Such growth-defence trade-off nonetheless dependent identity inoculum content. Under drought, inoculated lowered their investment defence noninoculated growth. Conclusion This highlights influence abiotic factors fungal plant–AMF–herbivore interactions. In broader sense, results point necessity finding species have reduced climatic factors, more widespread organic agriculture.