Abstract

Mycorrhizae are symbiotic associations between fungi and host plants, which confer several advantages, including good mineral nutrition. Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) then present an effective alternative in order to develop a sustainable agriculture that is less dependent on mineral fertilizers. The objective of this study was to assess the impact of organic fertilizers based on native arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi on increasing maize productivity and improving soil health in North Benin. For this study, three mycorrhizal fungi strains (Glomeraceae sp., Acaulosporaceae sp. and Diversisporaceae sp.) were used with or without mineral fertilizers. The corn variety 2000 SYN EE-W was used. The experimental design is a randomized complete block of nine treatments with three replicates. After 65 days, the endomycorrhizal infection was evaluated. The results showed that mycorhizal fungi had a positive impact on the different plant growth parameters (height, leaf area, and yield). At the height level, Acaulospora + ½ dose of N15P15K15 recommended + urea produced good results compared to the control, an increase of 24.9%. The same observations were made for leaf area and yield, an increase of 70.4 and 39.04%, respectively. However, the results show that the rate of endomycorrhizal infection is high with Diversisporaceae sp. + 50% of recommended N15P15K15 + urea followed by Glomeraceae sp. + 50% of recommended N15P15K15 + urea and Acaulosporeacea sp.+ 50% of recommended N15P15K15 + urea. In terms of spore number, the treatment Glomeraceae sp. gave the best result.

Key words: Mycorrhizal fungi, organic fertilizer, corn, Benin.