THE IMPACT OF CARBOFURAN SOIL APPLICATION ON GROWTH AND MYCORRHIZAL COLONIZATION BY GLOMUS-CLARUM OF GROUNDNUT

The influence of soil application of carbofuran on the growth response of groundnut, and both mycorrhizal colonization and sporulation of Gl omus clarum was studied in a pot culture experiment. Carbofuran applic ation with or without mycorrhizal inoculation increased the height of the potted plants measured 8 weeks after sowing. Mycorrhizal plants we re significantly taller than nonmycorrhizal plants at the final harves t time (14 weeks). Carbofuran, at the recommmended field dose of up to 2 kg/ha, greatly increased shoot dry matter and pod yield in mycorrhi zal groundnut. Colonization and sporulation by this VAM fungus were al so enhanced significantly at these dose levels. The application of car bofuran at 5 kg/ha inhibited both growth and mycorrhizal status of gro undnut.