Growth Of Corn Seedlings Research Articles

Soil properties of overburden and topsoil in limestone mining area: A preliminary study

Limestone mining removes topsoil and produces overburden piles, which is improper for plant growth. The objectives of this study were to compare the texture, certain chemical properties, and bacterial population of overburden to the topsoil and to observe the effects of compost amendment on the growth of corn seedlings on the potted overburden. The overburden characterization was performed using a quantitative descriptive method with purposive sampling. Samples were taken from a 6-month-old overburden pile and a pine-vegetable agroforestry ecosystem. The data were further analyzed by using the Student’s t-test. A bioassay was set up in a randomized block design with various concentration compost treatments and five replications. The results showed significant differences between texture, chemical characteristics, and bacterial counts of overburden and topsoil were recorded. The topsoil was more acidic and had higher organic carbon, potential phosphorus, potential potassium, and cation exchange capacity, while the overburden had higher levels of calcium; however, the total N and Magnesium content in topsoil and overburden was similar. The bacterial population of the overburden was lower than in the topsoil. A total of 16 gram-negative and one gram-positive bacteria have been identified from both samples. Applying huge amounts of compost enhanced corn seedlings' growth in the overburden. The study suggested that overburden was more unfertile compared to the topsoil. Therefore, the improvement of overburden properties by compost amendment is needed to green the area.

Enhancement of alkaline pretreatment-anaerobically digested sludge dewaterability by chitosan and rice husk powder for land use of biogas slurry

Alkaline pretreatment can improve the methane yields and dewatering performance of anaerobically digested sludge, but it still needs to be coupled with other conditioning methods in the practical dewatering process. This study utilized four different flocculants and a skeleton builder for conditioning of alkaline pretreatment-anaerobically digested sludge. Chitosan was found to be the most effective in dewatering the sludge. Chitosan coupled with rice husk powder further improved the dewatering performance, which reduced normalized capillary suction time, specific resistance to filtration, and moisture content by 98.7%, 82.0%, and 12.1%. For land use of biogas slurry as a fertilizer, chitosan conditioning promoted the growth of corn seedlings, while the other three flocculants diminished the growth of corn seedlings. Chitosan coupled with rice husk powder further promoted the growth of corn seedlings by 103.5%, 65.0%, and 53.7% in fresh weight, dry weight, and root length, respectively. Overall, chitosan coupled with rice husk powder not only enhanced the dewaterability of alkaline pretreatment-anaerobically digested sludge but also realized the resource utilization of agricultural waste.

Chemical evaluation and bioactivity of humic substances isolated from the mangrove ecosystem

Mangroves are an ecosystem that features dark colored sediment, rich in organic matter, with humic substances as its main component, which were the target of this work that aimed to characterize those humic substances chemically and spectroscopically and compare the biological activity of different humic materials isolated from mangrove areas with different levels of anthropic interference (Maria Ortiz high and Canal dos Escravos low). The chemical and spectroscopic characterization of the humic materials was performed through the analysis of elemental composition, E4/E6 ratio, fluorescence intensity and infrared and their biological activity was tested by evaluating changes in the root growth of corn seedlings in hydroponics. The humic materials, from the Maria Ortiz area, presented higher values in the C/N ratio, higher values in the fluorescence index and lower values in the E4/E6 ratio, when compared with the humic materials from the area of Canal dos Escravos. The absorption bands of the infrared spectrum indicated similarities with respect to the chemical functionality of the humic materials, however, it was possible to notice clear differences between the study areas. All humic materials promoted, in general, changes in the root architecture of corn seedlings when compared to the control treatment. This work shows that there are differences in the chemical and spectroscopic characteristics and in the biological activity of the studied humic materials, demonstrating that the anthropic activity alters the quality of the organic matter of the mangrove sediments, which may interfere in the survival and development of the mangrove forests.

Selenium treatment enhances the germination and growth of corn seedlings

Early seedling development and germination are vital phases in the life cycle of plants, as optimal germination contributes significantly to crop yields. Selenium (Se), an essential micronutrient for several organisms, including plants, plays a crucial role in improving germination and early seedling growth. Seed priming treatment is presented as a promising alternative to improve these aspects. This study aimed to evaluate the impact of priming treatment with different concentrations of selenium on germination and seedling development of Criollo maize. Two maize varieties were used and five selenium concentrations (0, 25, 50, 75 and 100 µM L-1) were tested. The results indicated that concentrations of 50 and 75 µM L-1 selenium had a noticeable positive effect on variables such as germination percentage, germination rate, germination potential and germination speed index. However, higher concentrations (100 µM L-1) showed consistently lower results, suggesting a negative impact on the germination process and initial seedling development.

Impact of Soil Type and Placement of Xyway LFR Fungicide on Germination and Growth of Corn Seedlings Under a Controlled Setting

Xyway LFR was released for use in corn as an in-furrow fungicide during 2020. Producers have raised concerns of reduced emergence and growth in corn plantings. Here, I assessed the impact of Xyway LFR placement in relation to the seed for impacts on seedling emergence and growth in two contrasting soil types (sand versus topsoil) under controlled conditions. Soil was added to containers, and five corn seeds were placed in a row in a furrow within each container. Xyway LFR was applied in a band at labelled rates at 0 (directly on seed), 1.27, 2.54, or 5.08 cm away from the seed. Containers were maintained under a light bank, and germination over time, as well as seedling biomass, was assessed. Statistical analysis indicated that plants in topsoil had greater germination rates and dry masses than plants in sand. Total plant dry masses were reduced relative to controls when Xyway LFR was placed 0 cm from the seed. However, when placed 2.54 or 5.08 cm from the seed, this impact was not evident. Potential phytotoxic effects may be mitigated by placing the product in a band at least 2.54 cm from the seed furrow.

Synthesis and application of a compound microbial inoculant for effective soil remediation.

Currently, there is a noticeable scarcity of applications that harness composite microbial inoculants to stimulate straw decomposition, nitrogen fixation, and crop growth. This study addresses this gap by selecting and coculturing three bacterial strains to create a composite microbial inoculant named HY-1. This innovative inoculant exhibits multifunctional capabilities, including nitrogen fixation, straw decomposition, and crop growth promotion. Furthermore, we aimed to explore its impact on soil microbial communities. The results showed that the optimal preparation conditions for the compound microbial inoculant HY-1 were 28.5 ± 0.6°C, pH = 7.34 ± 0.40, and bacteriophage ratio 1:2:1 (Microbacterium: Streptomyces fasciatus: Bacillus amyloliquefaciens). Compared to single strains, the combination exhibited higher levels of cellulose-degrading and nitrogen-fixing enzyme activity, increased the straw degradation rate by 37.91% within 180days, and significantly promoted the growth of corn seedlings. Under the condition of straw return, the compound bio-fungicide HY-1 effectively improved the soil microbial diversity. At that time, the soil had the highest number of unique bacterial operational taxonomic units (166), and the abundance of Proteobacteria in the soil increased by 7.24%, while that of Acidobacteriota decreased by 2.27%. The biosynthetic function of the cell wall/membrane/periplasm and the metabolic function of transporting inorganic ions were significantly enhanced. In this study, we discovered that employing coculturing techniques to produce the composite microbial inoculant HY-1 and applying it in the field effectively compensates for the limitations of single-strain inoculants, which often exhibit fewer functions and less pronounced effects. This approach demonstrates significant potential for enhancing the quality of agricultural soils.

In vitro inhibition mechanism of Trichoderma asperellum isolates from corn against Rhizoctonia solani causing banded leaf and sheath blight disease and its role in improving the growth of corn seedlings

BackgroundOne of the primary corn diseases, banded leaf and sheath blight, is carried on by the pathogenic fungus Rhizoctonia solani. Efforts to control R. solani are more directed at environmentally friendly control using a biological control agent, such as Trichoderma spp. as antagonistic agents and plant growth promoter. This study aimed to identify T. asperellum isolates based on molecular characteristics and to determine the in vitro inhibition mechanism against R. solani and its role in enhancing the growth of corn seedlings.ResultsThe HMRP7, HMRF7A, HMEDF1B, HMEDF6A, and CHM01 isolates were identified as T. asperellum with a genetic distance coefficient value of 0.000 and a very high similarity of 100%. Meanwhile, the RsHM isolate was identified as R. solani with a homology level of > 90% and genetic distance coefficient values ranging from 0.000 to 0.032. The antagonistic ability showed that the five T. asperellum isolates were able to inhibit the growth of R. solani in vitro on PDA medium with an inhibition percentage of ≥ 50%, so they were categorized as antagonist agents. T. asperellum showed the antagonistic mechanism in inhibiting the R. solani growth through the action of parasitism. The five T. asperellum isolates tested on corn seedlings showed a significantly high difference from the control treatment on the observational variables of maximum growth potential (MGP), growth rate (GtR), growth simultaneity (GS), vigor index (VI), germination rate (GR), and median germination time (T50).ConclusionCHM01 isolate showed better potential than other isolates in inhibiting the growth of R. solani in vitro on PDA medium with a parasitism mechanism and enhancing the growth of corn seedlings.

Biochar Prepared by Microwave-Assisted Co-Pyrolysis of Sewage Sludge and Cotton Stalk: A Potential Soil Conditioner

The reduction and safe disposal of sewage sludge remains an urgent problem worldwide. In this work, biochar prepared from co−pyrolysis of sewage sludge and cotton stalk at different mix ratios and different pyrolysis temperatures was prepared using a novel microwave-assisted auger reactor. The obtained biochar samples were mixed with selected soil samples at different mix ratios for a short−term plant−growing test to examine their abilities as a soil conditioner on nitrogen fixation and retention. The addition of biochar could increase the total nitrogen in the soil to 0.3951% compared to 0.0403% in the untreated soil, while the concentration of available nitrogen could be increased to 114.45 mg·kg−1 compared to 47.95 mg·kg−1 in the untreated soil. Moreover, the introduction of biochar to the soil also contributed to the growth of corn seedlings, which grew at a rate of 3.41 cm·d−1 compared to 3.03 cm·d−1 in untreated soil. The results show that the addition of biochar can enrich total soil nitrogen before and after incubation and promote the growth of corn seedlings, providing a potential route for the safe disposal and resource recovery of sewage sludge.

O silício atenua o déficit hídrico induzido pelo PEG 6000 na germinação e crescimento inicial das mudas de milho

Water stress limits the initial growth and development of maize mass and grain, as well as the physiological process for absorbing the amount of mineral elements. The objective was to evaluate the effect of silicon on germination and growth of corn seedlings submitted to water deficit. The experiment was carried out in the laboratory and the experimental design was completely randomized (factorial 3 × 4), with three concentrations of calcium silicate (0.0; 1.0 and 2.0 mM) and 4 solutions of PEG-6000 to simulate different osmotic potentials (0, 0; -0.3; -0.6; -0.9 MPa). Germination percentage, germination speed index (GSI), mean germination time (MGT), percentage of non-germinated and abnormal germinated, length and dry matter of shoot, root and total seedlings were evaluated. Water deficiency reduced the parameters TG, GSI and MGT. The water deficit reduce the MSPA, MSR and MST with more than 80% reduction in mass from seedlings without deficiency to seedlings with deficiency. For CPA, CR and CT there was a reduction of at least 87%, 70% and 77%, respectively, among seeds without deficiency compared to seeds submitted to deficiency. The use of silicon in corn seeds did not attenuate the stress caused by water deficit simulated by PEG-6000.

REACCIONES FISIOLÓGICAS Y CRECIMIENTO INICIAL DE MAÍZ TUXPEÑO CON VERMICOMPOST Y SUSPENSIÓN DE RIEGO

<p><strong>Background:</strong> The water deficit in the early stages of corn cultivation determines the survival of the seedlings and the establishment of the crop, so it is desirable that the soil can conserve available moisture for long periods of time. Organic fertilizers improve water holding capacity of soil, although studies of their effect on water deficit conditions are scarce. <strong>Objective:</strong> To evaluate the effect of vermicompost on soil moisture and the physiology and growth of corn seedlings. <strong>Methodology:</strong> In greenhouse conditions, a completely randomized experiment with factorial arrangement was designed. Two cultivars of Tuxpeño corn (tolerant and susceptible to drought) grown in a substrate composed of a mixture of agricultural soil and 0, 1.5 and 3% of vermicompost were evaluated. The field capacity, the permanent wilting point, and the water potential (ΨA) of the substrate were recorded. In the seedlings, from the fifth ligulate leaf, stomatal conductance (g<sub>s</sub>), transpiration (E), CO<sub>2</sub> assimilation (A), biomass and proline contents were measured. <strong>Results:</strong> There was an increase in the permanent wilting point values, but not in field capacity, therefore the water usable decreased with the vermicompost. In the seedlings grown in the mixture with 1.5 and 3% of vermicompost, the gs, A and E decreased. At higher proportion of vermicompost the root biomass increased. The cultivar x vermicompost interaction for g<sub>s</sub> and root biomass production was evidenced. No significant difference in proline content was observed. <strong>Implications:</strong> In this study the early vegetative stage and the total suspension of irrigation were evaluated, the evaluation of the complete biological cycle of the crop with intermittent suspension of irrigation is required to generate greater knowledge of the processes involved in the soil-crop dynamics. <strong>Conclusion:</strong> Vermicompost promoted biomass production, although the physiological parameters and water usable on soil decreased.</p>

Efektivitas Isolat-Isolat Bacillus sebagai Pengendali Penyakit Bulai dan Pemacu Pertumbuhan Tanaman Jagung pada Kondisi Terkontrol

The main disease in maize is downy mildew caused by the fungus Peronosclerospora spp.. This pathogen can cause yield losses of up to 100%. Therefore, efforts to control this disease are continuously carried out, including technical culture, assembly of resistant plants, and use of synthetic fungicides. At the farm level, the use of metalaxyl, synthetic fungicides is the most common practice. On the other hand, it has been reported that some Peronosclerospora groups are starting to become resistant to metalaxyl. These problems lead to the need for alternative controls, for example with biological agents. Biological agents from bacterial groups have been developed to control plant disease, but for downy mildew is still limited. The purpose of this study is to screen and test Bacillus spp. ability to suppress downy mildew and promote the growth of maize. The assay was carried out on seeds by invitro to investigate growth-promoting reactions and also testing under controlled conditions in greenhouses to investigate the suppression ability of downy mildew disease development. The results showed B. polymyxa strain BP18, Bacillus subtilis strain BS41, Bacillus sp. strain BT1, and Bacillus sp. strains can stimulate the growth of corn seedlings and suppress downy mildew. The best isolate in suppressing downy mildew was Bacillus sp. strain BT1 with the smallest AUDPC value (3.94) and the highest protection index (82.71%). It is hoped that these results will find potential isolates and have the potential to be developed into biopesticides and biofertilizers.

Synergy Assessment for Plant Growth by Independent Joint Action Theory

Calculating the predicted biological efficacy of a mixture and determining the significance of the difference between the predicted efficacy and the measured efficacy of that mixture are fundamental when assessing the synergy of mixtures. The Independent Joint Action theory and Bliss’s formula are well-known and widely accepted for predicting pesticide mixture effects that are expressed in terms of percent mortality. Bliss’s formula, however, is not applicable to growth-affecting components, such as plant growth regulators. Therefore, there is an unmet need of critical importance: an appropriate method for assessing synergy of growth-affecting mixtures needs to be identified within the scientific community. The formula, G(1 + 2..n) = G1G2…Gn/(GCTL)n−1, which was derived from the Independent Joint Action theory, is presented for calculating the predicted efficacy for mixtures of growth-affecting components that either promote or inhibit growth. Its application is demonstrated by analyzing data from a greenhouse assay in which a mixture of S-abscisic acid and gibberellic acid was used to promote the growth of corn seedlings.

Assessments in early growth of corn seedlings after hausmanite (Mn3O4) nanoscale seed priming

Nanofertilizer application is becoming a sustainable alternative for plants micronutrients supply. Seed nutrient priming before seeding reduces non-target dispersion; although, applying nanofertilizer in correct concentration must be narrowly chosen to prevent germination and development issues. Here, we evaluated corn seedlings development and germination after seed priming with Mn3O4 nanoparticle (NP), Mn3O4 bulk and MnCl2. Sterile seeds were soaked for 8 hours in priming solutions of 0, 20, 40, 80 and 160 mg L−1 for each Mn sources. The seeds vigor and germination were evaluated after 7 days on germination paper. Root, shoot and total lengths were measured as well as root, shoot and total dry biomass. Compared to the control, the Mn3O4 NP and Mn3O4 bulk promoted beneficial effects. Mn3O4 NP seed-priming exhibited a concentration dependent profile in improving seedling growth, with greatest benefit around 20 mg L−1, providing higher germination, vigor, dry biomass and length than control and the other source tested. Particle size plays an important role in the reactivity of Mn3O4 NP. On the other hand, seeds primed with soluble source did not differ from the control. These findings support NP-seed priming as an alternative to delivery micronutrients.

Organic material combined with beneficial bacteria improves soil fertility and corn seedling growth in coastal saline soils

ABSTRACT Soil salinity is a major abiotic stress on plant growth in coastal saline soil. The objective of this study was to screen the optimal combination of organic materials with beneficial bacteria for application under real field conditions to improve coastal saline soil. A two-factor pot experiment was carried out with corn in coastal saline soil for 26 days. In the naturally aerobic environment, a split-plot experiment was conducted with different rates of organic materials (organic fertilizer and mushroom residue) and beneficial bacteria (phosphate - and potassium-solubilizing bacteria). The 10 treatments consisted of a control (inactivated bacteria cells and no organic material), and combinations of organic materials (2, 4, and 6 % of the total soil dry weight), respectively, with beneficial bacteria [at 1 × 108, 2 × 108, and 3 × 108 colony-forming units (cfu) plant-1]. The application of 6 % organic material and beneficial bacteria at 3 × 108 cfu plant-1 (F6B3) promoted the highest seedling height, stem diameter, and dry biomass of corn seedlings, which increased by 0.30~26.78 %, 8.70~27.23 %, and 22.13~156.90 %, respectively, compared with the other FB (organic fertilizers and beneficial bacteria) treatments. Compared with all other FB treatments, soil total nitrogen, available phosphorus, and available potassium were increased by 4.78~18.04 %, 8.99~25.59 %, and 0.96~36.25 %, respectively, in F6B3. This treatment decreased soil total salt content by 0.79~12.72 %, compared with the other FB treatments. Based on the comprehensive improvement scores, F6B3 was identified as the best treatment for coastal saline soil. Organic materials combined with beneficial bacteria could improve nutrient availability and reduce salinity of coastal saline soil and promote corn seedling growth. The combined application of 6 % of organic materials with 3×108 cfu plant-1 of beneficial bacteria proved the most effective for coastal saline soil, and is recommended for field application.

Humic Acids Derived from Leonardite-Affected Growth and Nutrient Uptake of Corn Seedlings

ABSTRACTUsing organic fertilizer or soil amendment such as humic substances is an important component for sustainable agriculture. The objective of this study was to determine the effects of different factions of humic acids (HAs) on corn seedling growth and nutrient uptake. The experiment was carried out with both an agar culture in root boxes and a hydroponic culture to which 400 mg/L of different factions of humus acids, mixed HAs, and raw Leonardite were added. The experiments were repeated twice with three replications for each treatment. The results showed that applications of HAs significantly improved the leaf and root growth of corn seedlings compared with the control (no HA addition). In the agar culture, seedlings treated with HAs with relatively low molecular weights had more leaves and twice long of roots compared to control and other treatments. In the hydroponic culture, the mixture of three factions was the best treatment for both shoot and root growth of seedlings.

Seedling growth promotion and nitrogen fixation by a bacterial endophyte Paenibacillus polymyxa P2b-2R and its GFP derivative in corn in a long-term trial

A plant growth promoting endophyte, Paenibacillus polymyxa P2b-2R, originally isolated form a lodgepole pine seedling and its green fluorescent protein (GFP) derivative, P2b-2Rgfp, were evaluated for their ability to survive, fix atmospheric nitrogen (N) and promote plant growth when inoculated into corn (Zea Mays L.) in a long-term trial. We were also interested to see the effects of GFP-tagging of P2b-2R on its ability to promote growth of corn seedlings in a long-term study. Corn seedlings were inoculated with either strain P2b-2R or P2b-2Rgfp and non-inoculated seedlings were treated as controls. Seedlings were harvested after 3 months and evaluated for plant growth promotion (length and biomass) and N fixation (15N foliar dilution assay). Colonization and survival of P2b-2R and P2b-2Rgfp outside (rhizosphere) and inside (internal tissues) the inoculated seedlings were also determined. Both strains survived inside and outside corn seedlings forming rhizospheric and endophytic colonies in stem and root tissues. Inoculation by P2b-2R strain promoted corn plant growth via enhancing seedling length and biomass by 52 % and 53 %, respectively. Similarly, P2b-2Rgfp inoculation enhanced seedling length by 68 % and biomass by 67 %. Corn seedlings inoculated with strain P2b-2R derived 30 % of foliar N from the atmosphere and seedlings inoculated with P2b-2Rgfp derived 32 % of foliar N from the atmosphere. But there was no statistically significant difference between P2b-2R and P2b-2Rgfp treated seedlings in terms of overall seedling length, biomass and amount of N fixed in this long-term trial. These results combined with the results from an earlier study suggest that P. polymyxa P2b-2R and its GFP-tagged derivative is capable of enhancing overall plant growth throughout the life cycle of corn plant.

Role of living bacteria and other amendment in early development of maize

Different bacteria and wood ash, as a possible micro-nutrient, and liming material, was examined in our experiment on the early growth of corn seedlings.
 The development of renewing energy resources includes the use of energy grasses and energy forests. The intensive land use in forestry and in agriculture may cause the acidification of soils due to the harvest, or leaching of cations. To maintain the sustainability of soils necessary to maintain it’s the buffer capacity, and pH. Beside the lime the wood ash can is one of the most effective sources to provide the sustainability of intensive land use. The soil born micro organisms play a significant role in the maintenance of soil quality. The bio fertilizer, that contains soil originated bacteria (Azotobacter, and Bacillus sp.), was used in the experiments. The plants release several organic acids by their roots lowering the soil pH, and make more available the sparingly soluble minerals. The amounts of released organic matter depend on stress intensity, as the high pH is. The soil life has a significant role to keep the soil conditions on sustainable level, since there are several similarities in nutrient uptake mechanism between the bacteria and higher plants. Advantageous effects of bio-fertilizer were observed in our experiments.
 We came to the conclusion that the use of wood ash is recommended instead of lime for the improvement of acidic soils, on the evidence of its pH increasing effect. The wood ash contains several micronutrients in an optimum composition for forestry and agricultural plants. The solubility of heavy metals is very low; therefore there is no risk to use the wood ash in the agriculture and in the horticulture by our experiments. The retardation of growth at higher ash doses can be explained by the modification effect to the soil pH, as far as the original soil pH was pH 6.8, and when ash was given to the soil, the pH increases to 7.8 pH, that is unfavourable for the uptake of most nutrients.

Effects of soaking period on the growth and carbohydrate content of young corn seedlings

The effects of 12-, 24- and 36-hour soaking periods on the growth and carbohydrate content of corn seedlings grown either in distilled water or in nutrient solution have been studied. The soaking period of the seeds was found to affect the regularity of the growth rate, the extent of root elongation, fresh and oven-dry weight and carbohydrate content of different parts of corn seedlings. A period of 24 hours soaking was most suitable to obtain regular growth of corn seedlings whether in distilled water or in nutrient solution.

Allelopathic Effect of Sweet Corn and Vegetable Soybean Extracts at Two Growth Stages on Germination and Seedling Growth of Corn and Soybean Varieties

Allelopathic Effect of Sweet Corn and Vegetable Soybean Extracts at Two Growth Stages on Germination and Seedling Growth of Corn and Soybean Varieties

(185) Response of Vegetable Crops to Mycorrhizal Inoculation in a Calcareous Soil in the Tropics

The effects of a vesicular–arbuscular mycorrhizal fungus, Glomus aggregatum inoculation were examined on growth of vegetable crops in pot culture and field experiments with Guam cobbly clay loam soil (clayey, gibbsitic, nonacid, isohyperthermic Lithic Ustorthents). In pot experiments, the growth response of yard-long beans (Vigna unguiculata subs. sesquipendalis), sweet corn (Zea mays), watermelon (Citrullus lanatus), cucumber (Cucumis sativus), okra (Abelmoschus esculentus), green onion (Allium fistulosum), eggplant (Solanum melongena), and papaya (Carica papaya) were significantly improved with mycorrhizal inoculation. A pot experiment was also conducted to evaluate effects of G. aggregatum inoculation on the growth of corn seedlings at four different water regimes. Seedlings inoculated with G. aggregatum significantly improved the plant growth and the mineral uptake at all levels of water treatments. In the first field trial, prior to seed sowing the media in seedling trays were either inoculated or not inoculated with G. aggregatum. Treated watermelon and eggplant seedlings were transplanted in field. It was found that inoculating seedlings did not improve the harvest yield of two fruit-bearing crops. The second field experiment was conducted to study G. aggregatum inoculation and different levels of inorganic fertilizer application on growth of corn. Mycorrhizal colonization had positive effects on corn development and uptake of some minerals such as Fe. Experiments in the study suggested potential uses of a mycorrhizal fungus in an alkaline soil in the tropics.