Maize growth and biomass yield as influenced by diazotroph and mycorrhizae inoculation

Abstract

The production of maize has significant nutrient needs, notably for nitrogen. Considering the negative impact of chemical fertilizer on the ecosystem, alternative supply of nutrients that is easily accessible and environmentally benign must be sourced. This study looked into the effects of inoculating mycorrhizae and diazotrophs on the growth and biomass output of maize. The treatments included three (3) levels of mycorrhiza (without mycorrhiza, with Glomus clarum, and with Glomus deserticola), as well as two (2) levels of diazotroph (with and without diazotroph). These treatment combinations were applied to thirty (30) pots, each containing 3 kg of soil. The experiment was laid out in a randomized complete block design (RCBD). Data were collected on growth parameters such as leaf area, number of leaves, stem girth, and plant height at 2-week interval. The trial was terminated at 8 weeks after sowing (WAS), and yield parameters measured included root length, fresh and dry shoot weight, and fresh and dry root weight. The data were subjected to analysis of variance (ANOVA) using the General Linear Model procedure with Minitab statistical software. A significant interactive effect of diazotrophs and mycorrhiza was observed in stem girth at 4 WAS. The highest stem girth (4.02 cm) was obtained under combined application of diazotroph and G. clarum while the least stem girth (3.38 cm) was obtained under control (no-diazotroph and no-mycorrhiza treatment). Mycorrhiza application positively influenced root length, fresh root weight, fresh shoot weight, dry root weight and dry shoot weight