Contribution of Arbuscular Mycorrhiza to Productivity of Barley on Contrasting Cropping Systems, in Central Greece

Abstract

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of Arbuscular Mycorrhizal fungi inoculation on productivity of barley, under different levels of fertilization on organic or conventional agricultural systems. In addition, the mycorrhizal dependency of each system was studied for all fertilization levels. Experimental field was settled in central Greece, on clayey soil and experiments were conducted under real field conditions, in a split plot design. Two mycorrhizal treatments were combined with five fertilization treatments, in three replications. Growth parameters (e.g. plant height, total biomass production, seed yield, Leaf Area Index, Harvest Index) were monitored throughout cultivation period. Percentage of root AM colonization and mycorrhizal dependency were also measured for each treatment. Results indicated that AM inoculation had a positive effect on growth parameters and final productivity of barley. Plants of inoculated plots reached higher final height, higher LAI, and higher seed yield. Inorganic fertilization suppressed AM root colonization, especially when higher rates of inorganic fertilizers were applied. In contrast, organic fertilization did not suppressed AM colonization, especially in the case of AM inoculation. Mycorrhizal dependency was higher for the low-input cropping systems. In the present research work, we demonstrated that AM inoculation can positively affect growth and productivity of barley, in both organic and conventional cultivation.