Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungal inoculation and previous crop influence pearl millet growth and yields in a Mediterranean arid environment

Abstract Pearl millet is one of the most important cereal crops for food security and livelihood of many rural population in semi-arid and arid environments. Beneficial microorganisms play key roles in sustainable crop productivity. We investigated the potential of biofertilization using arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) on pearl millet production after different preceding crops in arid region. In this study, a field experimental trial was performed in a completely randomized factorial design with three replications. Two AMF treatments: without inoculation (-M) and inoculated with a commercial inoculum containing six AMF species of Glomus (+ M), were tested after three previous crops barley (B), fenugreek (F) and the mixture barley/fenugreek (B/F). Growth, yield traits and some grain quality parameters in pearl millet were evaluated. Our findings revealed that AMF inoculation significantly increased pearl millet root colonization by 3 and 4-fold after B and B/F, respectively. Inoculated pear millet plants presented a significant increase in fresh and dry biomasses, chlorophyll contents, as well as in yield parameters. The highest grain yield was obtained when pearl millet was grown after B (196.9 g/m 2 ) and B/F (186.7 g/m 2 ) as preceding crops. Regarding the grain quality of pearl millet, the highest concentrations of polyphenol and flavonoid were recorded for plants cultivated after B and B/F, with 36 and 28% increases, respectively, as compared to the control. This study demonstrated the important role of AMF and preceding crop as strategic tools in enhancing pearl millet productivity in arid environment.