Efficiency of Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi for the Growth Promotion of Sugarcane Under Pot Conditions

This study aimed to investigate the plant growth-promoting ability of the four most abundant AMF species isolated from the sugarcane rhizosphere, Acaulospora denticulata (ACD), Racocetra fulgida (RAF), Rhizophagus clarus (RHC) and Glomus sp.7 (GLS), on the cultivation of sugarcane under pot conditions. The results showed that GLS and RHC significantly increased root colonization, root morphology (root length, root surface area, root volume), P uptake, plant height and diameter, leaf area, relative water content, photosynthetic rate, stomatal conductance, transpiration rate and total biomass. In contrast, ACD and RAF only affected leaf area, plant height and root qualities. This is the first report of identification of ACD and RAF as the most abundant AMF species in sugarcane rhizosphere soils. Additionally, we are the first to show that these 2 AMF could affect some physiologies of sugarcane. Furthermore, Pearson's correlation analysis suggested that AMF root colonization was the most crucial factor affecting the plant growth parameters of sugarcane. This finding confirmed that inoculation with a specific AMF species could better enhance the growth of sugarcane. The results suggested that GLS and RHC could be used as effective biofertilizers for improving the growth of sugarcane under pot conditions.