Effect of mycorrhizal inoculation of leek Allium porrum L. on mineral nitrogen leaching

Abstract

This study evaluated the influence of the arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) inoculation of leek (Allium porrum L.) on the leaching of ammonia and nitrate nitrogen from the experimental pots filled with either sterile or non-sterile soil mix, consisting equally of the arable soil and horticultural substrate. Leek plants were inoculated by Funneliformis mosseae, Claroideoglomus claroideum, Rhizophagus intraradices and by their combinations. Based on the obtained data, it can be concluded that: (a) the influence of AMF on nitrate leaching does not follow some simple rules, (b) the amounts of percolating nitrates can be affected also by sterilization and by the combination of AMF inocula, (c) AMF can, in general, reduce the nitrate leaching from soil even though mycorrhizal colonization of roots did not achieve extremely high rates. These conclusions may be useful in the horticultural practice and ecological sustainability of the soil quality.