Effect of Glomus mosseae and Entrophospora colombiana on plant growth, production, and fruit quality of ‘Maradol’ papaya (Carica papaya L.)

The effect of inoculating ‘Maradol’ papaya plants with arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) Glomus mosseae (GM) and Entrophospora colombiana (EC) was assessed. The results showed that both mycorrhizae species increased the number of fruits and yield in papaya plants by 41.9 and 105.2% for GM and 22.1 and 44.1% for EC, respectively, with respect to control plants. GM significantly increased plant height. Sugar content, firmness, color (°Hue), and ripening process of mycorrhized plant fruits were similar to those of the control. Weight loss of mycorrhized plant fruits was considerably less than that of the control. Inoculation of papaya with AMF is recommended, particularly with GM since it increases yield, and fruit weight (45.1%), furthermore, it reduced fruit weight loss during ripening.

Research highlights
► The principal effect of arbuscular mycorrhizal on papaya plants was in yield and plant height.
► Papaya plants inoculated with Glomus mosseae had higher capacity of N extraction from the soil to the fruits than Entrophopora colombiana.
► G. mosseae had major potential for phosphorus solubilization than E. colombiana.
► G. mosseae had major adaptability than E. colombiana for papaya plants.