Utilization of Innovative Mycorrhiza as a Growth Enhancer for Food and Horticultural Crops under Tropical Agroclimatic Conditions

Abstract

SEAMEO BIOTROP is continuously fostering biodiversity-based innovations through the development of innovative mycorrhizal products as biological ameliorants to support sustainable agricultural systems in tropical regions. This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of BIORISA mycorrhiza in enhancing the growth of food crops (peanut, Arachis hypogaea) and horticultural crops (tomato, Solanum lycopersicum) under contrasting agroclimatic conditions. Multi-location trials were conducted in Bogor, West Java (wet tropics) and Makassar, South Sulawesi (dry tropics) using a factorial randomized block design with two factors: location (Bogor and Makassar) and mycorrhizal dose (0; 10; 15; 20 g/plant). The multilocation experiment demonstrated that BIORISA application significantly improved key growth parameters of peanuts and tomatoes, with higher dosages consistently enhancing vegetative performance across contrasting tropical agroclimates. Most traits showed no location–dosage interaction, indicating stable plant responses to BIORISA, except for tomato fresh weight, where a significant interaction reflected site-dependent biomass accumulation. Makassar consistently produced higher growth responses than Bogor, particularly at the 20 g dosage, which yielded the greatest fresh biomass in both crops. These findings confirm BIORISA as an effective and reliable biofertilizer for enhancing growth in food and horticultural crops under tropical conditions, supporting its potential for broader adoption in sustainable agricultural systems.