EFFECTS OF INOCULATION OF PHOSPHATE-SOLUBILIZING MICROORGANISMS AND AN ARBUSCULAR MYCORRHIZAL FUNGUS ON MUNGBEAN GROWN UNDER NATURAL SOIL-CONDITIONS

The effect of inoculation of the phosphate-solubilizing microorganisms (PSM) Bacillus circulans and Cladosporium herbarum and the arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungus Glomus fasciculatum with or without Mussoorie rockphosphate (MRP) was studied in a P-deficient natural non-disinfec ted sandy soil on mungbean (Vigna radiata). The AM levels increased fo llowing the addition of MRP or inoculation with PSM or G. fasciculatum . Both grain and straw yield of mungbean increased following inoculati on with PSM or the AM fungus. In general, the increase in yield was hi gher in the presence of MRP and inoculation with a combination of PSM and AM fungus. Highest N and P uptake by mungbean was recorded after t reatment with a combination of B. circulans, C. herbarum and G. fascic ulatum in the presence of MRP. Generally the PSM population increased after AM fungus inoculation.