Evaluation of the Mixed Effects of Some Indigenous Strains of Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi on the Growth of Maize Seedlings Under Greenhouse Conditions

Abstract

The objective of the study was to evaluate the joint effects of three groups of native arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) (Glomeraceae, and Diversisporaceae) on the growth of Maize Seedlings. The mycorrhizal fungi were isolated by the wet sieving method through decreasing sieve (300 µm, 125 µm, 63 µm and 38 µm) followed by centrifugation on a sucrose gradient. The growth tests were evaluated in greenhouse conditions for 40 days. After opening a planting hole, two maize (2000 SYNEE-W) seeds, one coated with AMF and the other not coated (Control) were introduced into the planting hole for each treatment. Data on different parameters were evaluated. The results of this study revealed that the maximum heights, the largest noose diameters and the largest numbers of leaves were obtained with treatment Acaulosporaceae + 50% NPK-Urea having 20.55% and 17.04% respectively and 11.77% for that of the control. The produced biomass and the leaf area of the maize plants were improved by the treatment Glomeraceae+ 50NPK-Urea with a respective increase of 54.97% for fresh above biomass (FAB), 42.94% for fresh underground biomass (FUB) and 55.23% for the leaf area compared with the control. Also, very high frequency of mycorrhiza was recorded with treatment Glomeraceae while the largest numbers of mycorrhiza spores and intensity were recorded with treatment Acaulosporaceae. These results augur the possibility of using these mixed AMF bio-products as organic fertilizers to improve maize productivity in Benin.