Effect of Organic Pest Control Products on Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Colonization in Bulgarian Rose Plantations: A Two-Year Field Study

Abstract

This two-year field study aims to investigate the impact of organic pesticides used in organic Damask rose (Rosa damascena Mill.) fields on Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungal (AMF) colonization. Conducted in the renowned Rose Valley of Bulgaria, specifically in the village of Kliment, the experiment employed a randomized complete block design with two rows of 21 plants each in organic certified plots. The results revealed low AMF colonization in the first year, ranging between 14.78% and 20.89%, with no significant differences between treatments. In the second year, while no significant differences were observed between treatments (ranging from 48.00% to 76.49%), there was a notable increase in AMF colonization compared to the initial sampling. The study concluded that specific organic pesticides, including Neemazal, Limocide, Phytosev, and Nano sulfur, had minimal negative effects on AMF colonization. These findings contribute to understanding the implications of organic farming practices on AMF and soil health in the context of Damask rose cultivation. © 2024 Federation of Eurasian Soil Science Societies. All rights reserved.