Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi induced changes in rhizosphere, essential oil and mineral nutrients uptake in dill/common bean intercropping system

The fundamental aim of this research was to evaluate the effects of Funneliformis mosseae on nutrient uptake and distribution in solo cropping and intercropping of common bean Phaseolus vulgaris and dill Anethum graveolens in the field, using a factorial arrangement of treatments. The factors were seven cropping systems including (a) common bean sole cropping (40 plants m−2), (b) dill sole cropping at different densities (25, 50 and 75 plants m−2) and (c) the additive intercropping of dill/common bean (25/40, 50/40 and 75/40 plants m−2), with (+AM) or without (−AM) arbuscular mycorrhiza colonisation. In all cropping systems, AM colonisation improved dry weight and P, K, Fe, Zn and Mn contents of dill plants. Cultivable bacterial community was also increased in the dill/common bean intercropping. Yield of essential oil in dill shoot was improved as a result of AM colonisation and intercropping.