Effects of vermicompost and mycorrhiza on summer savory growth and nutrition

Abstract Vermicompost and arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) are sustainable soil amendments that can improve crop productivity and nutrient‐use efficiency under organic farming systems. This study evaluated the independent and combined effects of vermicompost and AMF on growth, yield, and foliar nutrient status of summer savory ( Satureja hortensis L.) under organic field conditions. A factorial experiment based on a randomized complete block design with three replications included three vermicompost rates (0, 2.5, and 5 t ha − 1 ) and four AMF treatments (non‐inoculated control, Glomus mosseae , Glomus intraradices , and dual inoculation). Combined analysis across years showed that both vermicompost and AMF significantly improved all measured traits. Compared with the control, application of 5 t ha − 1 vermicompost increased flowering shoot yield, biological yield, and foliar N, P, and K concentrations by 13.3%, 5.8%, 8.4%, 27.2%, and 11.5%, respectively. Dual inoculation with G. intraradices + G. mosseae increased biological yield by 16.8% relative to the non‐inoculated treatment. The combined application of 5 t ha − 1 vermicompost and dual inoculation produced the highest flowering shoot yield (2053.41 kg ha − 1 ), representing a 49.8% increase over the control. Significant vermicompost × AMF and year × AMF interactions indicated that treatment responses were influenced by seasonal conditions. These findings demonstrate that integrating 5 t ha − 1 vermicompost with dual AMF inoculation is an effective strategy for improving productivity and nutrient‐use efficiency under organic production systems.