EFFECTS OF ARBUSCULAR MYCORRHIZAL FUNGUS ON DRY-MATTER YIELD, AS WELLAS P-CONCENTRATIONS AND K-CONCENTRATIONS IN MAIZE (ZEA-MAYS L) AT INCREASING LEVELS OF P SUPPLY
S. Beyene et al., EFFECTS OF ARBUSCULAR MYCORRHIZAL FUNGUS ON DRY-MATTER YIELD, AS WELLAS P-CONCENTRATIONS AND K-CONCENTRATIONS IN MAIZE (ZEA-MAYS L) AT INCREASING LEVELS OF P SUPPLY, Journal of Applied Botany, 70(5-6), 1996, pp. 194-198
The effect of mycorrhizal inoculation, Glomus sp. D13 (originated from
Hannover), on the growth response as well as P and K uptake of maize
(Zen mays L.) was tested. The greenhouse experiment was conducted at f
ive levels of P fertilization (0, 21.5, 43, 64.5, and 86 mg P/kg soil)
. At 49 days after planting, the colonization ranged from 20 to 24% of
the total root length in inoculated plants and there was no colonizat
ion in noninoculated plants. Three weeks later, at harvest, colonizati
on ranged from 20 to 35% in inoculated plants and 0 to 3% in noninocul
ated plants. The root length of mycorrhizal plants remained lower, but
insignificant, than that of nonmycorrhizal plants. The root dry weigh
t was increased with increasing levels of P application in both treatm
ents. The root dry weights of control plants were significantly higher
than those of the respective mycorrhizal plants at all levels of appl
ied P. Shoot dry weight increased until P2 and P3 levels in inoculated
and noninoculated plants respectively. In mycorrhizal treatment, tota
l uptake of P (as well as P concentrations in roots and shoots) was in
creased as was the uptake of K. The K concentration in shoots of mycor
rhizal plants was also higher than that of nonmycorrhizal plants, wher
eas the root K concentrations of inoculated and noninoculated plants d
id not vary when P was applied.