Introduction

Tree crops are facing increasing challenges due to biotic and abiotic stresses. Climate change exacerbates these issues, especially in Mediterranean regions such as Southern Italy. To address these issues, it is beneficial to design agricultural systems that maximize resilience, meaning the ability to withstand and recover from traumatic events or periods of difficulty. In this regard, both compost (rich in organic matter and nutrients) and mycorrhizae (symbiotic fungi with plants) can be valuable tools. The aim of this study was to evaluate the interactions between these two potential strategies.

Methods

Twenty-four grapevine plants were divided into four groups treated as follows: inoculation with mycorrhizae, fertilization with compost, inoculation with commercial mycorrhizae and fertilization with compost, with no additions. The compost used was derived from the organic fraction of municipal solid waste (MSW-compost). Leaf pigmentation analyses were performed using reflectance spectrophotometry, and the percentage of mycorrhization in the roots was analyzed using methyl blue root staining and microscopy.

Results

The compost, regardless of mycorrhizal inoculation, caused a delay in leaf senescence and a higher presence of photosynthetic pigments even at the end of the growing season. The compost significantly stimulated the symbiosis with the native mycorrhizae in the soil used, with effects comparable to those under the addition of a commercial mycorrhizal inoculum.

Conclusions

The addition of MSW-compost improves the health of grapevine plants and stimulates symbiosis with native mycorrhizae. Therefore, it can be used in vineyards both as an organic fertilizer and to implement management strategies aimed at enhancing ecological interactions with beneficial soil microorganisms.