Role of Arbuscular Mycorrhiza and Phosphorus in Acacia mangium-Peanut Agroforestry System for Rejuvenation of Tin Tailings

Abstract

ABSTRACT Tin tailings are characterized by coarse sand; low in nutrient content, water-holding capacity, pH, organic matter and microbial activity; poor/absence of soil aggregation and high surface soil temperature. Therefore, the area is unsuitable for agriculture and forestry. An attempt was made to rejuvenate these lands into a sustainable production system through establishment of Acacia mangium and peanut (Arachis hypogaea L.) agroforestry (AF) system. Performance of A. mangium and peanut AF system with different P rates and arbuscular mycorrhiza (AM) inoculation was studied on degraded ex-tin mining land in Serdang, Malaysia. Three P rates viz. 0,50 and 100 g Gafsa phosphate rock (GPR) plant−1 in combination with and without AM were evaluated on A. mangium seedlings during 190 to 290 days after planting (DAP). The experiment was conducted in split-plot design with three replications. Peanut was sown in the alleys of A. mangium at 185 DAP. Three P rates at 0, 50 and 100 kg P ha−1 along with and without AM were studied on peanut. Growth of A. mangium given 50 g GPR plant 1 with AM was found higher throughout the study, while at 100 kg P ha−1 with AM was optimum for peanut. The application of AM and P fertilizer tended to increase soil organic-C, N and available P. There was an indication of improvement of soil fertility with such cropping, which might also ensure better future production.