Critical level of VAM fungal propagules in different arid crops

To examine the critical level of vesicular- arbuscular (VA) mycorrhizal fun gi for moth bean (Vigna aconitifolia (Jacq.) Marechal), mung bean (Vigna ra diata (L.) Wilczek) and pearl millet (Pennisetum glaucunl (L.) R. Br.), Glo mus mosseae was used at different spore levels (0, 25, 50, 75, 100, 200 and 300 spores per 100 g soil). Mycorrhizal inoculation increased plant height , dry matter yield, root length and per cent root infection. Seventy per ce nt infection was found to be sufficient for optimum response by legumes (mo th bean and mung bean), whereas 80 per cent infection was required to get e ffective yield for cereal (pearl millet). The critical level for moth bean, mung bean and pearl millet was found to be 75, 100 and 200 spores per 100 g soil respectively. However, the effect on plant growth was observed up to 225 spores per 100 g soil for moth bean, 240 spores per 100 g soil for mun g bean and >300 spores per 100 g soil for pearl millet. The results demonst rate that one must use saturated amounts of effective VAM fungi for optimum crop response.