TITLE:
Effect of Arbuscular Mycorrhiza Fungal Inoculation with Compost on Yield and Phosphorous Uptake of Berseem in Alkaline Calcareous Soil
AUTHORS:
Bismillah Jan, Amjad Ali, Fazli Wahid, Syed Noor Muhammad Shah, Asif Khan, Farmanullah Khan
KEYWORDS:
AMF Inoculation; Alkaline Calcareous Soil; Berseem Crop; Compost; Plants Nutrients Uptake and Yield
JOURNAL NAME:
American Journal of Plant Sciences,
Vol.5 No.9,
April
18,
2014
ABSTRACT: An experiment was
conducted in pots under natural conditions in alkaline calcareous soil to determine
berseem (Trifolium alexandrium) yield
and P uptake as affected by Arbuscular mycorrhizal
fungi (AMF) inoculation with compost prepared from fresh animal dung and rock
phosphate. Data indicated that berseem shoot and roots yields increased
significantly (P ≤ 0.05) by inoculation of indigenous mycorrhiza (AMF-I) and
half dose of compost. Shoot yield increased as 98% and 76% roots yield as 60%
and 52% over control and N and K fertilizers. Maximum and significantly (P ≤ 0.05)
increased plant N and P uptake by berseem was observed in the treatment
inoculated by commercial mycorrhiza (AMF-II) with full dose of compost followed
by the inoculation of AMF-II with half dose of compost. Plants uptake of Cu,
Mn and Fe was improved significantly (P ≤ 0.05) by the inoculation of AMF-II
with half dose of compost, while Zn uptake was increased in the treatment of
AMF-II inoculation with full dose of compost. Maximum and significantly (P ≤ 0.05)
increased soil spores density of AMF as 27 spores per 20 g soil was noted by
inoculation of AMF-I with half dose of compost, while maximum roots infection
intensity in berseem was observed by the inoculation of AMF-I with full dose of
compost. Results suggest that inoculation of AMF with compost has potential to
improve berseem yields and plants nutrients uptake under given soil conditions.