INFLUENCE OF METALAXYL ON GLOMUS-FASCICULATUM ASSOCIATED WITH WHEAT (TRITICUM-AESTIVUM L)

Soil incorporation of metalaxyl [methyl N-(2-methoxyacetyl)-N-(2,6,xyl yl)-DL-alaninate] significantly enhanced root colonization of the vesi cular-arbuscular (VA) mycorrhizal fungi Glomus fasciculatum associated with wheat. The stimulatory response of VA mycorrhizal fungi to low c oncentration of metalaxyl resulted in increased plant biomass producti on, nutrient uptake and grain yield of wheat. However, higher concentr ations of metalaxyl, particularly 2.5 ppm of metalaxyl affected the my corrhizal infection and seed yield of wheat, Addition of urban compost to an extent ameliorated the toxic effect of fungicide on VA mycorrhi zal colonization, plant growth and yield of wheat when compared to una mended soil.