Application of Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi for Improved Growth and Acclimatization of Micropropagated Fegra Fig (Ficus palmata Forssk.) Plantlets

Fegra fig ( Ficus palmata ) is an important fruit-yielding crop and potential rootstock for grafting Ficus carica . The acclimatization phase is a pivotal step during the micropropagation of plants. During this study, the mycorrhization of micropropagated fegra fig plants with two arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF; Gigaspora margarita and Gigaspora albida ) to enhance their growth and survival during the acclimatization stage was investigated. The AMF were mixed in equal proportions and the acclimatizing fegra fig plantlets were treated for 8 weeks. The leaf pigments, i.e., chlorophyll a [2.56 mg·g −1 fresh weight (FW)], chlorophyll b (1.08 mg·g −1 FW), total chlorophyll (3.67 mg·g −1 FW), and carotenoid (1.34 mg·g −1 FW), of AMF-treated plants were higher than those of non-AMF plants. The number of stomata per unit was higher in the AMF-treated plants (16.00), the density of stomata per unit area (88.40 mm 2 ) of AMF-treated plants was similar to that of non-AMF treated plants, and the number of epidermal cells (79.00) was higher in the AMF-treated plants. The AMF-treated plants were taller and had more leaves, a greater leaf area, and higher shoot FW and dry weight. The AMF-treated plants also had the greatest total root length values, greatest surface areas of roots, and greatest total root volume and diameter compared to those of non-AMF plants. Additionally, the AMF-treated plants had a 100% survival rate, whereas a survival rate of 95% was recorded for non-AMF plants. These findings emphasize the importance of biological acclimatization of micropropagated fegra fig plants with AMF.