Comparison of different inoculants of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi on Crocus sativus L. cultivated in soilless conditions

Saffron (Crocus sativus L.) is an autumn-flowering geophyte widely cultivated for the most precious spice, consisting of the dried red stigmas of the flower. The violet tepals are considered a valuable by-product having a high content of phenolic compounds and antioxidant capacity. The use of biostimulants may improve the yield of the plant and quality of the flower. In the present study, different arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungal inoculants, i.e., a single species of Funneliformis mosseae and Rhizoglomus irregulare or a multi-species mixture of Funneliformis geosporum, Funneliformis caledonium, and Claroidoglomus claroideum, were tested on saffron plants grown in soilless conditions to highlight their efficacy in improving saffron production and tepals quality.