Mycorrhizal inoculation enhances growth and nutrition of cotton plant

Abstract

Arbuscular Mycorrhizae Fungi (AMF) inoculations may improve growth and nutrient uptake of cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) plant. Although the importance of mycorrhizal symbioses for growth and nutrient acquisition of cotton plant is known, less is known about mycorrhizal dependency on P and Zn nutrition under low Zn fertile soil conditions. A greenhouse experiment was conducted to investigate the effect of different of P and Zn fertilizer addition on cotton plant growth as well as Zn and P uptake. Sterilized and non-sterilized low Zn fertile Konya series soil was treated with different levels of P and Zn. Soils were inoculated with two mycorrhizae species like Funneliformis mosseae and Claroideoglomus etunicatum after sterilization. Results showed that mycorrhizal inoculation on plant growth and nutrient uptake has significant effect when soil was sterilized. Cl. etunicatum mycorrhizae species has greater effect than Fu. mosseae mycorrhizae species. Root colonization increased 23–65% due to mycorrhizal amendment. The shoot: root ratio increased by 13 and 22% for non-sterile and sterile condition respectively in mycorrhiza amended soil. Mycorrhizal dependency varies 1–55% and 3–64% for non-sterile and sterile soil respectively on mycorrhizae, P and Zn amended soil. Mycorrhizal dependency analysis showed that cotton plant in both sterile and non-sterile soil conditions depends on mycorrhizae species, P nutrition, however is less depend on Zn nutrition. This study concluded that the inoculation of cotton plant with selected mycorrhizae is necessary under both sterile and non-sterile soil conditions.