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The influence of V.A. mycorrhization on mineral nutrition of 2 clones of Argania spinosa was studied with in-vitro micropropagated plantlets grown in confined medium under controlled conditions. Inoculation, which increased dry matter production by a factor of 4.5, also increased P concentration in the plant, especially in the leaves, and the mycorrhizal plants mobilized 15 times more P than control plants. N concentration was slightly lower in mycorrhizal plants, but total N content was 3 times higher. Uptake of micro elements was also affected inoculation increasing plant Fe, Zn and Cu content. Mineral nutrition in the test clones seemed affected by root/shoot ratio and other genetically-related characteristics, such as Fe translocation efficiency.

These results help us to understand how its deep mycorrhizal root system might allow Argania spinosa not only to grow in infertile arid areas but also to improve top-soil fertility by a litter effect.