Response of dual inoculation with VAM and Azospirillum on the yield and oil content of Palmarosa ( Cymbopogon martinii var. motia)

Abstract

Dual inoculation of a VAM fungus, Glomus aggregatum Schenck and Smith and Azospirillum brasilense increased the growth, yield and oil content of palmarosa ( Cymbopogon martinii var. motia) significantly over uninoculated control as well as inoculations with G. aggregatum or A. brasilense alone. Azospirillum brasilense also stimulated the VAM colonization and increased VAM spore population in the rhizosphere soil of palmarosa. Nitrogen content of leaf tissue was higher in the plants inoculated with A. brasilense, while leaf P content was greater in G. aggregatum inoculated plants than in dual inoculation.