Physiological response of Physalis peruviana L. seedlings inoculated with Funneliformis mosseae under drought stress

Physalis peruviana L. is gaining importance in international markets due to its nutritional properties; however, the production regions are increasingly susceptible to drought periods due to global climate change. A sustainable tool against this abiotic constraint is the association with arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF). The aim of this work was to evaluate the effects of AMF inoculation with Funneliformis mosseae on the early development and some physiological parameters of P. peruviana under drought stress. The tested treatments were three soil water conditions (30%, 40% and 80% of field capacity) and the presence or absence of AMF. In this sense, root colonization quantification, root and shoot dry weight, relative water content (RWC), leaf water potential, net photosynthesis (A), transpiration (E), stomatal conductance (gs), electrolyte leakage, chlorophyll content and fluorescence were evaluated. The treatments representing 30% and 40% of field capacity had a negative effect on all the evaluated parameters; nevertheless, AMF plants presented enhanced values of root dry weight, RWC, A, gs and chlorophyll content in comparison to non-inoculated stressed plants. Despite this, mycorrhization did not affect stress indicators as chlorophyll fluorescence and electrolyte leakage, revealing that, although AMF is a promising strategy, it is not enough to relieve drought stress deleterious effects, and need to be integrated with other management strategies.