Effect of inoculation with vesicular-arbuscular mycorrhizal fungus (Glomus mosseae) and application of phosphorus on dry matter and phosphorus uptake of maize (Zea mays L.)
1997
Khaliq, A. (University of Agriculture, Faisalabad (Pakistan). Dept. of Soil Sciences) | Sanders, F.E. | Zahir, Z.A. | Arshad, M.
The extent of host benefit from vesicular arbuscular mycorrhizae (VAM) in terms of phosphorus (P) assimilation has rarely been quantified under natural conditions. Maize plants were grown in pots under field environment with and without P fertilizer and/or mycorrhizal inoculum to soil. The soil used was low in available phosphorus and indigenous VAM fungal population. Inoculation resulted in a significant increase of 133% in VAM infection over uninoculated controls, but phosphorus application significantly suppressed it by 21% compared to no P application Dry matter was significantly increased by 163% with phosphorus application and by 67% with mycorrhizal inoculation over respective controls. Similarly, phosphorus uptake was significantly increased by 164% with P application and by 114% with mycorrhizal inoculation. The results indicate that although phosphate fertilizer can reduce VAM colonization of roots but mycorrhizal symbiosis may be an important contributor to P nutrition in maize under field conditions.
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