Application of free and Ca-alginate-entrapped Glomus deserticola and Yarowia lipolytica in a soil-plant system

This study was performed to investigate the applicability of microbial inoc ulants entrapped in alginate gel. Glomus deserticola (AM) was inoculated in to soil microcosms, enriched with rock phosphate, as either free form or en trapped in calcium alginate alone or in combination with a P-solubilizing y east culture (Yarowia lipolytica). Plant dry weight, soluble P acquisition, and mycorrhizal. index were equal in treatments inoculated with free and a lginate-entrapped AM. Dual inoculation with entrapped G. deserticola and fr ee cells of Y. lipolytica significantly increased all analyzed variables. H ighest rates of the latter were obtained when both fungal micro organisms w ere applied co-entrapped in the carrier. The yeast culture behaved as a 'my corrhiza helper microorganism' enhancing mycorrhization of tomato roots. Th ese results indicate that dual inoculation with an AM fungus and a P-solubi lizing microorganism co-entrapped in alginate can be an efficient technique for plant establishment and growth in nutrient deficient boils. (C) 2001 E lsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.