Abstract
A pat experiment was conducted under natural conditions to investigate growth and nutrients ccumulation of maize plants as affected by the inoculation of Arbuscular M ycorrhizal (AM) fungi
with rock phosphate (RP). Maize (Zea Mays L. Kissan) was inoculated with AM fungi in the presence
af indigenaus mycorrhiza. Intensity of AM fungal infection rates in roots, spore density in soil and their identification and effects on plant growth and nutrients accumulation by maize plants were determined. M ycorrhizal inoculation with the application ofN, K and rock phosphate (RP) produced 37and 34Wo significantly (P < 0.05) higher shoot dry matter and roots yield, respectively over the treatment of N and K applied without AM fungal inaculation. Accumulation of N in maize shoots was increased significantly (P < 0.05) by the inoculation of AM fungi with RP as 44Wa over the treatment of only N and K fertilizers. Phosphorus accumulation in maize followed similar trend as noted for N accumulation. Accumulation of Fe, Cu, Zn and Mn in maize shoots were increased significantly (P < 0.05) by the inoculatian of AM fungi with or without RP treatments. Data reveal thot s!8nificantly (P < 0.05) higher spores density (45 spores per 20 g soil) with !!‘8hest root infection rates of 66Wo were observed in the treatment of AM fungal inoculation with RP followed by 35 spores per 20 g soil with 54% root infection rates in the treatment of AM fungal inoculation without RP. Results su8gest that inoculation of AM fungi with rock phosphate has a potential to increase shoot and root dry matter yield of maize crop due to improved nutrients accumulation.
M. Sharif, B. Jan. (2008) Growth and nutrients accumulation of maize plants as affected by the inoculation of Arbuscular Mycorrhizal fungi with rock phosphate, The Journal Soil & Environment , Volume 27, Issue 1.
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