Mycorrhizal inoculum–mediated modulation of maize–rhizosphere interactions under pesticide stress

Anna Manukyan; Alexandre Pedrinho; Panagiotis A. Karas; Christos Papadopoulos; Athanasia Katsoula; Sotirios Vasileiadis; Dimitrios G. Karpouzas; Kalliope K. Papadopoulou

doi:10.1016/j.ejsobi.2026.103844

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Mycorrhizal inoculum–mediated modulation of maize–rhizosphere interactions under pesticide stress

Journal article

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Mycorrhizal inoculum–mediated modulation of maize–rhizosphere interactions under pesticide stress

Anna Manukyan, Alexandre Pedrinho, Panagiotis A. Karas, Christos Papadopoulos, Athanasia Katsoula, Sotirios Vasileiadis, Dimitrios G. Karpouzas and Kalliope K. Papadopoulou

European journal of soil biology, Vol.130, 103844

2026

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ejsobi.2026.103844

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Abstract

Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi

Microbial diversity

pesticides

Phosphatase activity

Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi (AMF) and synthetic pesticides are frequently applied together in conventional agriculture, yet their interactive effects remain largely understudied. This gap limits our understanding of whether co-application leads to synergistic benefits or unintended antagonistic impacts on soil function and plant performance. This study evaluated the effects of the co-application of a Funneliformis mosseae inoculum together with three commonly used pesticides - fungicide pyraclostrobin, and the herbicides tembotrione, and clopyralid - on the growth of maize (Zea mays) plants, AMF colonization levels and AMF community composition under controlled greenhouse conditions. Using a full-factorial design, we assessed whether the AMF inoculum could buffer pesticide-induced disruptions in plant and fungal growth parameters and soil functions. The F. mosseae inoculum did not consistently mitigate pesticide stress on plant performance but significantly enhanced pesticide dissipation and modulated rhizosphere phosphatase activity. Amplicon sequencing revealed that the inoculum shaped AMF community composition, promoting resilience in the rhizosphere. Root-associated communities remained more vulnerable to chemical disturbance. These findings highlight that while AMF can influence pesticide fate and AMF diversity, their capacity to buffer against pesticide impacts on plant performance is limited and strongly context dependent. This underscores the need to tailor the use of biostimulants to specific chemical regimes, when aiming to improve soil resilience and crop productivity in intensively managed systems.

Details

Title: Mycorrhizal inoculum–mediated modulation of maize–rhizosphere interactions under pesticide stress
Authors/Creators: Anna Manukyan - University of Thessaly
Alexandre Pedrinho - University of Thessaly
Panagiotis A. Karas - University of Thessaly
Christos Papadopoulos - University of Thessaly
Athanasia Katsoula - University of Thessaly
Sotirios Vasileiadis - University of Thessaly
Dimitrios G. Karpouzas - University of Thessaly
Kalliope K. Papadopoulou - University of Thessaly
Publication Details: European journal of soil biology, Vol.130, 103844
Publisher: ELSEVIER FRANCE-EDITIONS SCIENTIFIQUES MEDICALES ELSEVIER
Number of pages: 15
Grant note: European Commission (501100000780)
Identifiers: 991005896262607891
Murdoch Affiliation: School of Environmental and Conservation Sciences
Language: English
Resource Type: Journal article

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