Effect of Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi (AMF) and Fermented Organic Manure on Yield and Quality of Forage Sorghum (Sorghum Bicolor L. Moench) Var. Panarunder Saline Conditions

Abstract

A field experiment was conducted over two years (2015\2016) at Hada Al-Sham Experimental Research Station of King Abdulaziz University in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. This study aims at evaluating the effect of AMF (arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi) applied separately and in combination with fermented poultry and cow manures on forage yield and quality of forage Sorghum var. Panar grown in saline soil and irrigated with saline water. Results showed that significant differences were reported for the AMF combined with both poultry and cow manures over the control treatment in all parameters studied including plant height, number of leaves per plant, leaf area, leaf firing ratio, yield and nutritive value. The effectiveness of the treatments were as follows: AMF mixed with both poultry and cow manures (PCM-AMF)> AMF mixed with poultry manure (PM-AMF)> AMF mixed with cow manure (CM-AMF)> AMF alone(AMF)> control(S) but for leafing firing ratio the order was reversed. The increments in dry forage yield were118, 82, 64, and 26% for PCM-AMF, PM-AMF, CM-AMF and AMF, respectively in comparison to the control. The nutritive value of the forage was significantly improved by the fungal and poultry manure treatments. It can be concluded from the results of this study that organic manures, particularly poultry and cow manures, mixed with Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi had positive effects in increasing forage yield and improving quality of the cereal forage Panar under Soil and water salinities prevailing in arid regions. To overcome plant production limitations in saline arid conditions, it is recommended to use organic manures and mycorrhizal fungi, as they are relatively cheaper, available and effective.