Meta-Analysis: Impact of AMF Colonization on Allium Species

Abstract

With available data, this meta-analysis assessed the effects of Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi (AMF) inoculation on well-researched Allium species related to the under-researched Allium tricocum species. The overarching goal was to synthesize findings from published research to develop hypotheses for future investigation into the role of AMF inoculation on Allium tricocum. Three Allium species were evaluated across ten studies. Four parameter categories were assessed. Parameter categories included a)plant mass, plant size, and yield b)mineral composition c)elemental composition d)phosphorus uptake Two treatment comparison categories were constructed for each parameter category: a)Allium species inoculated with AMF b)uninoculated (control). Data were presented for each parameter in % increase with control treatment. Allium species inoculated with AMF increased most parameter categories compared to uninoculated controls, except for a few element composition parameters (in a saline environment). They also had the highest average percent increase compared to uninoculated controls. The meta-analysis indicated that the inoculation of AMF on Allium species is closely related to Allium tricocum and generally increases growth, yield, and mineral composition, but it is dependent on the Allium species and AMF species used. Areas for future research of Allium tricocum identified through this analysis include whether AMF inoculation could help better growth of Allium tricoccum? if AMF inoculation helps in early maturation of Allium tricoccum? is the impact of AMF changes with the annual cycle for the growth and survival of Allium tricoccum? And does AMF inoculation help transplanted Allium tricoccum for adaptation to a new environment?