Journal of
Dryland Agriculture

OFFICIAL PUBLICATION OF THE CENTRE FOR DRYLAND AGRICULTURE, BAYERO UNIVERSITY, KANO
  • Abbreviation: J. Dryland Agric.
  • Language: English
  • ISSN: 2476-8650
  • DOI: 10.5897/JODA
  • Start Year: 2015
  • Published Articles: 46

Full Length Research Paper

Effects of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi on growth and phosphorus uptake of maize (Zea mays L.) at different levels of soil phosphorus and soil moisture

Bouzeriba T.B Alsunuse
  • Bouzeriba T.B Alsunuse
  • Department of Ecosystem Science and Management, College of Agriculture and Natural Resources, University of Wyoming, 1000 E University Avenue, Laramie, WY, USA
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Mehjin A.M Al-Ani
  • Mehjin A.M Al-Ani
  • Environmental Technology Department, Environment Faculty, Mosul University, Mosul, Iraq.
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Mikaeel Y. Faituri
  • Mikaeel Y. Faituri
  • Soil and Water Department, Agricultural College, Omar Al-Mukhtar University, Albida, Libya.
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Dennis S. Ashilenje
  • Dennis S. Ashilenje
  • Department of Plant Sciences, College of Agriculture and Natural Resources University of Wyoming, 1000 E University Avenue, Laramie, WY, USA.
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Ahmed A. Alawami
  • Ahmed A. Alawami
  • Soil and Water Department, Agricultural College, Omar Al-Mukhtar University, Albida, Libya.
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Peter D. Stahl
  • Peter D. Stahl
  • Department of Ecosystem Science and Management, College of Agriculture and Natural Resources, University of Wyoming, 1000 E University Avenue, Laramie, WY, USA
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  •  Received: 25 November 2020
  •  Accepted: 27 April 2021
  •  Published: 31 May 2021

Abstract

Studies have shown arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) enhance phosphorus (P) uptake and drought tolerance in maize (Zea mays L.) grown in semiarid soils. However, little is known regarding the contribution of AMF to maize treated with different levels of phosphorus and grown in different soil moisture levels. This study was conducted to determine the effects of AMF (Glomus fasciculatum) inoculation on growth and P uptake of maize treated with different levels of soil P and soil moisture. Different P levels (0, 50, and 100 kg P ha-1) were applied on maize grown in soils with and without mycorrhizal fungi, and at different moisture levels producing -0.05, -0.4, -0.8, and -1.5 MPa of drought stress. Increasing P rates significantly (p < 0.05) reduced mycorrhizal colonization. Mycorrhizal colonization was higher under moderate than under lower soil moisture levels. Drought stress × soil P content × AMF inoculation interaction had significant (p < 0.05) effect on maize shoot and root dry weight and tissue P concentration. Overall, results of this study suggest that mycorrhizal inoculation enhances P uptake and maximizes maize biomass under low, moderate, and high soil moisture conditions without P applications. Except for the lowest soil moisture level (-1.5 MPa), mycorrhizal plants produced higher biomass, with greater tissue P content than nonmycorrhizal plants at all soil P and soil moisture levels. These results indicate that establishing efficacious AMF with maize could be an efficient alternative for growers than relying on P fertilizer application and its associated costs and environmental concerns.

Keywords: Arbuscular Mycorrhiza Fungi, Drought Tolerance, Phosphorus Levels, Maize Plants.

Copyright © 2023 Author(s) retain the copyright of this article.

This article is published under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License 4.0

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