TITLE:
Mycotrophic Status of Strawberry (Fragaria spp.) Suggests High Potential for Sustainable Fruit Production in Sub-Saharan Africa
AUTHORS:
Laura Scottie Ngouana-Tchinda, Carine Temegne-Nono, Eddy Leonard Ngonkeu-Mangaptche, Michaël Fomekong-Kenne, Landry Thierry Dongmo-Voukeng, Thérèse Dalida Nkou Foh, Emmanuel Youmbi, Libert Brice Tonfack
KEYWORDS:
Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi, Biodiversity, Biofertilizer, Strawberry, Sub-Saharan Africa, Sustainable Agriculture
JOURNAL NAME:
Agricultural Sciences,
Vol.16 No.9,
September
8,
2025
ABSTRACT: Little is known about the mycotrophic status and biological production of strawberries in sub-Saharan Africa. This study investigated arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) in the rhizospheres of strawberries from two agroecological zones (AEZs) in Cameroon: AEZ III (Western Highlands) and AEZ V (bimodal rainforest). AMF spores were identified from trapping soil, while strawberry roots were assessed for colonization. Two Fragaria spp. varieties, “Madame moutot” and “Mara des bois”, were cultivated in both AEZs. The soils were acidic and deficient in available phosphorus (4.9 and 0.88 mg.kg−1) with imbalanced Ca:Mg:K ratios (55:22:23 and 46:34:23) respectively. Three fertilization treatments were used: 1) control (unfertilized); 2) mineral (N:P:K 13:13:21); and 3) AMF species complex (at 30 g.plant−1) in a split-plot design with four replicates. Thirteen AMF species across seven genera were identified in the rhizospheres (11 in AEZ III and 12 in AEZ V). The spores measured 45 - 250 µm in diameter. Diversity indices (Shannon-Wiener and Simpson’s) indicated no specific dominance of AMF species. AMF fertilizer enhanced strawberry production and fruit quality, improving leaf formation, runners, and fruits per plant, fruit weight, and nutrient contents. This study confirms that strawberries are mycotrophic, and AMF-based fertilizers can enhance biological production in sub-Saharan African soils. Graphical abstract