CHLOROPHYLL FLUORESCENCE, AND ROOT TRAITS IN MYCORRHIZAL PLANTS OF Persea americana MILL. UNDER DIFFERENT SOIL AGRICULTURAL MANAGEMENT

<p><strong>Background</strong>. The avocado, <em>Persea americana</em>, is a fruit crop of immense importance to Mexican agriculture with increasing demand worldwide. Hence there is an increment in the cultivated area and the use of agrochemical products. Current research explores how arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi may reduce agrochemicals in avocado crops. Therefore, it is necessary to investigate the specific conditions under which the application of AM fungi is beneficial and the compatible host plants or genotypes. <strong>Objective</strong>. To investigate whether the origin of soil and AM inoculum from two orchards with different soil agricultural management affect the infectivity (percentage of AM colonization) and effectivity (chlorophyll fluorescence and root traits) of the avocado plants, and whether chlorophyll fluorescence and root traits correlate with the percentage of AM colonization. <strong>Methodology</strong>. A factorial experiment with three factors: i) the origin of seed (two seeds origin), ii) the origin of soil, and iii) the origin of AM inoculum from two orchards with different soil agricultural management was performed. <strong>Results</strong>. Although root-soil-AM interactions are highly complex, we found evidence that the origins of seed, soil, and AM inoculum can affect the performance of plants in terms of chlorophyll fluorescence, and root traits. Additionally, infectivity was greater when the soil and AM inoculum were agrochemical-free. We discuss our findings in the context of soil mineral nutrients and seed origin. <strong>Implications.</strong> This study contributes to understanding the mechanisms that underlie plant-AM interactions in plants from two seed origins and soil agricultural management in avocado plants, an important cultivated tree for humans worldwide. <strong>Conclusion</strong>. The combination of root traits and leaf may improve our understanding of the mechanisms that underlie plant-microbe interactions in plants from two seed origins and soil agricultural management to enhance not only avocado production but also the long-term sustainability and yield stability of avocado agroecosystems.</p><em><em><br /></em></em>