Growth and nutrients accumulation of maize plants as affected by the inoculation of Arbuscular Mycorrhizal fungi with rock phosphate

A pot experiment was conducted under natural conditions to investigate growth and nutrients accumulation of maize plants as affected by the inoculation of Arbuscular Mycorrhizal (AM) fungi with rock phosphate (RP). Maize (Zea Mays L. Kissan) was inoculated with AM fungi in the presence of indigenous mycorrhiza. Intensity of AM fungal infection rates in roots, spore density in soil and their identification and effects on plant growth and nutrients accumulation by maize plants were determined. Mycorrhizal inoculation with the application of N, K and rock phosphate (RP) produced 37and 34% significantly (P < 0.05) higher shoot dry matter and roots yield, respectively over the treatment of N and K applied without AM fungal inoculation. Accumulation of N in maize shoots was increased significantly (P < 0.05) by the inoculation of AM fungi with RP as 44% over the treatment of only N and K fertilizers. Phosphorus accumulation in maize followed similar trend as noted for N accumulation. Accumulation of Fe, Cu, Zn and Mn in maize shoots were increased significantly (P < 0.05) by the inoculation of AM fungi with or without RP treatments. Data reveal that significantly (P < 0.05) higher spores density (45 spores per 20 g soil) with highest root infection rates of 66% were observed in the treatment of AM fungal inoculation with RP followed by 35 spores per 20 g soil with 54% root infection rates in the treatment of AM fungal inoculation without RP. Results suggest that inoculation of AM fungi with rock phosphate has a potential to increase shoot and root dry matter yield of maize crop due to improved nutrients accumulation.