English

Saranya Kuppusamy,Kumutha K

doi:10.9735/0975-3710.4.2.176-181

Abstract

A pot culture experiment was conducted to develop quality standards for the Arbuscular Mycorrhiza (AM) inoculum in terms of spore density in order to ensure the efficacy of the AM product when used for crop production as a P mobilizing biofertilizer. Plant growth parameters like root volume and total plant dry weight of maize (PEHM5) which was used as trap crop skyrocketed to its maximum when inoculated with 5-6 spores g-1 of AM inoculum. Effective root colonization of 100% was recorded in maize when 5-6 spores, was present. Total root length colonization of the maize variety PEHM5 was registered to be more than 90%, when treated with an AM inoculum containing 5-6 spores g-1. Moreover, a significant increase of the spore number was observed, when sterilized vermiculite + 10% soil was used as sub- strate for the AM inoculum production with increased spore density of 5-6 spores g -1 . Thus, spore density of 5-6 spores was standardized to

Highlights

Arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi have shown to have a pivotal role in agriculture and land reclamation (Klironomos et al, 2002)
By formulating quality standards for Arbuscular mycorrizal (AM) inoculants especially in terms of spore density, since spores of AM are only instrumental to bring a better colonization in plants and bring in the P mobilization that aid in ultimate plant growth, it would be more feasible to manipulate these fungi for increased agricultural productivity and plant health assurance, so that the end users can be satisfied by the producers and both will be benefited
The results showed that both T4 and T3 (5 to 6 spores g-1 of AM inoculum) significantly improved the growth of maize and were not statistically significant from each other in their ability to stimulate root volume and total plant dry weight

Summary

Introduction

Arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi have shown to have a pivotal role in agriculture and land reclamation (Klironomos et al, 2002). The growing number of new small to medium sized companies (SME’s) around the world producing inocula of mycorrhizal fungi has increased in the last decade. There are major problems in bringing high quality and fit for purpose AM fungal products to target markets. Regulation of the product varies between countries and companies for the AM inoculant and each company still has its specific demands and target markets (Feldmann, 2007). By formulating quality standards for AM inoculants especially in terms of spore density, since spores of AM are only instrumental to bring a better colonization in plants and bring in the P mobilization that aid in ultimate plant growth, it would be more feasible to manipulate these fungi for increased agricultural productivity and plant health assurance, so that the end users can be satisfied by the producers and both will be benefited. The present investigation was undertaken to develop quality standards for AM inoculant in terms of spore density

Methods

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Discussion

Conclusion