The effects of field inoculation of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi through rye donor plants on grapevine performance and soil properties

•Grapevine mycorrhizal field inoculation through donor plants is an effective method.•Inoculation promoted the establishment of new mycorrhizal taxa in vine roots.•Inoculated cover crops enhanced vine’s photosynthetic efficiency after a heat wave.•Inoculation helped vines to partially compensate water competition with cover crops.