RESUMO
BACKGROUND: Low-cost organic fertilizers, such as coconut powder and vermicompost, and arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) may benefit the Passiflora edulis f. flavicarpa plant. However, it has not been established whether the joint application of these inputs may increase the production of vitexin and other molecules associated with the phytotherapeutic properties of this plant. Here, we tested the hypothesis that the application of AMF and organic fertilizers maximizes the production of bioactive compounds in leaves of P. edulis. RESULTS: The inoculation of Acaulospora longula into P. edulis grown in fertilization-free soil promoted an increase of 86% in the concentration of leaf vitexin, 10.29% in the concentration of total phenols, and 13.78% in the concentration of total tannins in relation to the AMF-free control, rendering soil fertilization superfluous. CONCLUSION: The application of A. longula increases the production of foliar biomolecules, such as vitexin, in yellow passion fruit plants. Thus, the addition of coconut powder and vermicompost to the substrate composition is not necessary, leading to the commercialized production of phytomass in the herbal medicines industry. © 2019 Society of Chemical Industry.