EFFECT OF TRICHODERMA-HARZIANUM, BEIJERINCKIA-MOBILIS AND ASPERGILLUS-NIGER ON ARBUSCULAR MYCORRHIZAL INFECTION AND SPORULATION IN MAIZE, WHEAT, MILLET, SORGHUM, BARLEY AND OATS

The purpose of this study was to test whether mycorrhizal infection in maize, wheat, millet, sorghum, barley and oat plants was affected by amending soils with Trichoderma harzianum, Beijerinckia mobilis or Asp ergillus niger, all of varying functions, along with arbuscular mycorr hizal fungi. Mycorrhizal infection in different plant species was affe cted differentially by different soil amendments. The relationships an d interactions within the rhizosphere of crop species may be specific to the combination of inoculum types used. The suggestion of biocontro l of root diseases, by the use of T. harzianum, and enhanced nutrient uptake, through increase solublization of phosphate by A. niger and ni trogen fixation by B. mobilis, when applied with AM inoculum needs to be evaluated for each crop species separately. The potential combined use of these organisms is high, and deserves further investigation as it relates to crop diseases, stress tolerance, and yield.