GROWTH AND IRON NUTRITION OF BROCCOLI (BRASSICA-OLERACEA L. VAR. ITALICA PLENCK), GROWN IN A TYPIC USTOCHREPT, AS INFLUENCED BY VESICULAR-ARBUSCULAR MYCORRHIZAL FUNGI IN THE PRESENCE OF PYRITE AND FARMYARD MANURE

Greenhouse experiments were conducted using potted soil (Fe-deficient Typic Ustochrept) to study the influence of the vesicular-arbuscular m ycorrhizal fungi (VAM), Glomus macrocarpum and G. fasciculatum, on the mobilisation of Fe in broccoli (Brassica oleracea L. var. italica Ple nck) in the presence of pyrite and farmyard manure (FYM). Individual a pplications of either VAM or pyrite with NPK fertiliser significantly enhanced both the Fe2+ content in leaf tissue and total uptake of Fe a nd resulted in increased curd and straw yields of broccoli compared to those observed with NPK alone. Though the application of FYM decrease d the Fe2+ content in leaf tissue relative to plants supplied NPK alon e, this result was not statistically significant. The available Fe con tent in soil, after harvest of broccoli, was found to be lower in the presence of VAM than in the control.