Effects of Vesicular Arbuscular Mycorrhizae and Applied Phosphorus through Targeted Yield Precision Model on Root Morphology,Productivity, and Nutrient Dynamics in Soybean in an Acid Alfisol

A field experiment was conducted in a phosphorus (P)–deficient acidic Alfisol in northwestern Himalayas to study the effect of three vesicular arbuscular mycorrhizae (VAM) cultures [VAM_L, local VAM culture (Glomus mosseae) developed by CSK Himachal Pradesh Agricultural University, Palampur, India; VAM_T, VAM culture (Glomus intraradices) developed by Centre for Mycorrhizal Research, The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI), New Delhi, India; and VAM_I, VAM culture (Glomus mosseae) developed by Indian Agricultural Research Institute (IARI), New Delhi, India] on growth, productivity, and nutrient dynamics in rainfed soybean. Plant height, aboveground dry matter, root dry matter, total dry matter, root length, root weight density, Rhizobium root nodule count, root colonization, yield attributes, yield, and nutrient uptake of soybean increased consistently and significantly with increase in inorganic P levels from 25 to 75% of recommended P₂O₅ dose based on targeted yield precision model coupled with various VAM cultures. VAM_T (Glomus intraradices) at each P level showed its superiority over VAM_I and VAM_L. Sole application of any of the three VAM cultures produced similar growth and development parameters as well as grain yield (18.68 to 19.08 q ha^?1) as produced through farmers’ practice (nitrogen at 20 kg ha^?1), indicating that VAM has a vital role in root morphology and nutrient dynamics in a soil–plant system, though significantly greater productivity was obtained with 100% of the recommended P₂O₅ dose based on soil-test crop response (STCR) precision model without VAM inoculation. Targeted grain yield of soybean (25 q ha^?1) was achievable with 75% of the recommended P₂O₅ dose applied with any of the three VAM fungi cultures without impairing soil fertility, thereby indicating that VAM fungi can save about 25% P fertilizer in soybean in P-deficient acidic Alfisols of northwestern Himalayas.     

Effects of Rhizobium and vesicular-arbuscular mycorrhiza inoculations on nodulation,symbiotic nitrogen fixation and soybean yield in subtropical-tropical fields

Summary Field experiments were carried out to determine the effects of single and mixed inoculations with Rhizobium and vesicular-arbuscular mycorrhiza (VAM) on nodulation, symbiotic N₂ fixation and yield of soybeans in six Taiwan subtropical-tropical sites. Inoculation with Rhizobium alone significantly increased nodulation, nodule weight and nitrogenase activity of nodules in three out of six experimental fields, and affected soybean yields in the range –13% to + 134%. Inoculation with VAM fungi alone did not have a significant effect on nodulation and nitrogenase activity. Mycorrhiza inoculation affected soybean yields in the range –13% to + 65%, but only the yield increases at one out of six sites with N application were statistically significant. Mixed inoculation with Rhizobium and mycorrhiza affected yields in the range –8% to + 145% A synergistic effect from mixed inoculation of Rhizobium-mycorrhiza on soybean yields was found in one out of six experimental fields. The yield response to N application (40 kg N ha^–1) in these six paddy-field trials was not significant. These results suggest that single or mixed inoculation of rhizobia can greatly assist soybean grain yields and can replace N fertilizers.     

VAM Fungi Spore Populations in Different Farming Situations and Their Effect on Productivity and Nutrient Dynamics in Maize and Soybean in Himalayan Acid Alfisol

To assess the effect of five vesicular arbuscular mycorrhizae (VAM) isolates of Glomus mosseae screened out from different farming situations, two pot experiments were conducted on maize and soybean in a phosphorus (P)–deficient Himalayan acid Alfisol. There was variation in VAM spore populations of Glomus mosseae isolates screened out from maize harvested fields, soybean fields, vegetable fields, tea orchard, and citrus orchard. Glomus mosseae isolate from vegetable-based cropping system exhibited maximum root colonization at flowering in maize (32%) and soybean (28%), followed by Glomus mosseae isolate from soybean fields, and exhibited the lowest in Glomus mosseae isolate from tea farm. Glomus mosseae isolate from vegetable-dominated fields was at par with Glomus mosseae isolate from soybean-based cropping system, again resulting in significantly high root biomass, nitrogen (N)–P–potassium (K) uptake, and grain and straw productivity both in maize and soybean crops besides the greatest Rhizobium root nodule biomass in soybean. There was a considerable reduction in soil fertility with respect to NPK status over initial status in pot soils inoculated with Glomus mosseae isolate from vegetable-dominated ecosystem, thereby indicating greater nutrient dynamics by this efficient VAM strain in the plant–soil system and greater productivity in a P-deficient acidic Alfisol. Overall, VAM isolates from different cropping systems and farming situations with variable size and composition of VAM mycoflora resulted in differential effects on growth, productivity, and nutrient dynamics in field crops. Overall, Glomus mosseae isolates from vegetable and soybean fields proved to be superiormost in terms of root colonization, growth, and crop productivity as well as nutrient dynamics in above study. Thus, isolation, identification, and selection of efficient VAM strains may prove as a boon in low-input intensive agriculture in P-deficient Himalayan acidic Alfisol.     

Growth response of field-grown Siratro (Macroptilium atropurpureum Urb.) and Aeschynomene american L. to inoculation with selected vesicular-arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi

Summary The effect of inoculation with a selected isolate of Glomus etunicatum Becker and Gerdemann and one of G. intraradices Schenck and Smith on the growth and nutrient content of Macroptilium atropurpureum Urb. cv. Siratro and Aeschynomene americana L., at applied P levels of 10, 30, 60, and 120 kg ha^-1, was studied under field conditions. At all P levels and for all harvests, the shoot dry mass of Siratro and A. americana were greater for the plants inoculated with the vesicular-arbuscular mycorrhizal (VAM) fungi than the control plants. Differences between the VAM fungus-inoculated and the control plants were most marked between 30 and 90 kg ha^-1 of applied P and diminished at 120 kg ha^-1. At the first harvest of Siratro, the plants inoculated with G. etunicatum had a greater shoot dry mass than those inoculated with G. intraradices, for all levels of applied P. However, for subsequent harvest of Siratro and for the one harvest of A. americana the response of shoot dry mass to the two VAM fungi was equivocal. Fungal inoculation gave at least a 30% saving in the amount of P fertilizer required (40 kg ha^-1) for the maximum yield. The plants inoculated with VAM fungi had a greater tissue concentration and total content of P and N than the control plants at low and intermediate levels of applied P. The percentage of root colonized by VAM fungi for the inoculated plants of the two legumes increased linearly with P additions up to 60 kg ha^-1. The conclusion is that under amended (limed and fertilized) soil conditions, inoculation with selected VAM fungi can improve the establishement and growth of forage legumes in fields that contain ineffective populations of native VAM fungi.     

Comparative Performance of Geographical Isolates of Glomus mosseae in Field Crops under Low-Input Intensive P-Deficient Acid Alfisol

Comparative performance of five geographical isolates of Glomus mosseae screened from maize fields, soybean fields, vegetable fields, tea orchard, and citrus orchard was assessed in three major field crops (wheat, maize, and soybean) under low-input management in three glass-house pot experiments in a phosphorus (P)–deficient acid Alfisol. These geographical isolates of Glomus mosseae varied with respect to vesicular arbuscular mycorrhizal (VAM) spore count and root colonization in these crops with greatest spore count (240 per 250 g soil) and root colonization (28–34%) using previously screened local Glomus mosseae culture (VAM_L) of CSK Himachal Pradesh Agricultural University, Palampur, India, followed in order by VAM isolate from vegetable-based cropping system, Glomus mosseae isolate from soybean fields, and Glomus mosseae isolate from tea farm. Glomus mosseae isolate from vegetable-based cropping system remaining at par with local VAM culture (VAM_L), resulting in significantly greatest grain productivity in these field crops under low-input management. There was a considerable reduction in soil fertility with respect to NPK status over the control and initial status in pot soils inoculated with Glomus mosseae isolate from vegetable-based cropping system followed by local VAM strain (VAM_L), thereby indicating greater nutrient mobilization and productivity as well through this efficient Glomus mosseae strain in P-deficient acid Alfisol. In addition, Glomus mosseae isolates from different farming situations resulted in differential productivity and soil fertility under these field crops. Overall, Glomus mosseae isolate from vegetable-based cropping system proved its superiority in realizing greater productivity and nutrient mobilization compared to local Glomus mosseae VAM culture under low-input management in P-deficient acid Alfisol.     

Effect of Vesicular Arbuscular–Mycorrhizal Fungi and Phosphorus Application through Soil-Test Crop Response Precision Model on Crop Productivity,Nutrient Dynamics,and Soil Fertility in Soybean–Wheat–Soybean Crop Sequence in an Acidic Alfisol

A field experiment was conducted in a phosphorus (P)–deficient acidic alfisol of the northwestern Himalayas using three vesicular arbuscular mycorrhizal (VAM) cultures: a local culture developed by CSK Himachal Pradesh Agricultural University, Palampur (Glomus mosseae), VAM culture from Indian Agricultural Research Institute (IARI), New Delhi (Glomus mosseae), and a culture from the Centre for Mycorrhizal Research, The Energy Research Institute (TERI), New Delhi (Glomus intraradices). These were applied alone or in combination with 25 to 75% of recommended P₂O₅ and recommended nitrogen (N) and potassium (K) based on soil-test crop response (STCR) precision model with an absolute control, farmers’ practice, and 100% of recommended P₂O₅ dose based on the STCR model. The results revealed that sole application of either of the three VAM cultures have produced 2.68 to 9.81% and 25.06 to 28.62% greater grain yield than the control in soybean and wheat crops, respectively. Besides greater straw yield, NPK uptake as well as soil nutrient buildup increased. Increase in P fertilization from 25 to 75% of recommended P₂O₅ dose coupled with VAM inoculation with either of the three VAM cultures resulted in consistent and significant improvement in crop productivity (grain and straw yields), NPK uptake, and improved soil nutrient status, though significantly greatest magnitude was obtained with sole application of 100% of the recommended P₂O₅ dose. The targeted grain yields of soybean (25 q ha^?1) and wheat (30 q ha^?1) were achievable with 75% of recommended P₂O₅ dose along with mycorrhizal biofertilizers, thereby indicating that application of efficient VAM fungi with 75% of recommended P₂O₅ dose can economize the STCR precision model fertilizer P dose by about 25% without impairing crop yield targets or soil fertility in a soybean-based cropping system in an acidic alfisol.     

Influence of soluble phosphorus fertilizer on the interaction between a vesicular-arbuscular mycorrhizal fungus and Azospirillum brasilense in barley (Herdeum vulgare L.)

Summary Pot-culture studies were carried out to examine the response of barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) to inoculation with Azospirillum brasilense and Glomus versiforme, singly and/or in combination, under varying levels of nitrogenous [(¹⁵NH₄)₂SO₄] and soluble phosphatic (single superphosphate) fertilizers. The interaction between both the endophytes led to increased growth and nutrition of the barley plants. Roots from plants inoculated with Azospirillum brasilense and Glomus versiforme exhibited very low acetylene reduction activity. N₂ fixation in the plants increased with the increase in plant growth but the mycorrhiza alone gave a low level of N₂ fixation in the plants compared to combined inoculation with both the endophytes.     

Variation in nodulation and N2 fixation by the Gliricidia sepium/Rhizobium spp. symbiosis in a calcareous soil

Summary Variation in nodulation and N₂ fixation by the Gliricidia sepium/Rhizobium spp. symbiosis was studied in two greenhouse experiments. The first included 25 provenances of G. sepium inoculated with a mixture of three strains of Rhizobium spp. N₂ fixation was measured using the ¹⁵N isotope dilution method 12 weeks after planting. On average, G. sepium derived 45% of its total N from atmospheric N₂. Significant differences in fixation were observed between provenances. The percentage of N derived from atmospheric N₂ ranged from 26 to 68% (equivalent to 18–62 mg N plant^-1) and was correlated with total N in the plant (r=0.70; P=0.05). The second experiment included six strains of Rhizobium spp. and two methods of inoculation and the plants were harvested 14,35 and 53 weeks after planting. In the first harvest significant differences were found between the number of nodules and the percentage and amount of N₂ fixed. There was also a significant correlation between the number of nodules and the amount of N₂ fixed (r=0.92; P=0.05). In the final harvest no correlation was observed, although there were significant differences between the number of nodules and the percentage of N derived from the atmosphere. The amount of N₂ fixed increased with time (from an average of 27% at the first harvest to 58% at the final harvest) and was influenced by the Rhizobium spp. strain and the method of inoculation. It ranged from 36% for Rhizobium sp. strain SP 14 to 71% for Rhizobium SP 44 at the last harvest. Values for the percentage of atmosphere derived N₂ obtained by soil inoculation were slightly higher than those obtained by seed inoculation.     

Influence of inoculation with bradyrhizobium japonicum and glomus claroideum on seed yield of soybean under greenhouse and field conditions

Soybean plants [Glycine max (L.) Men., cv. Polanka], inoculated with the VAM fungus Glomus claroideum Schenck and Smith and Bradyrhizobium japonicum strain D344, were grown in pots and in the field. The VAM fungus positively influenced N2 fixation, nodulation and N, P, K, and Mg concentrations in the leaves. In pots, (at green pods formation) VAM inoculated plants produced a 24% greater biomass as compared with non‐inoculated plants colonized by native VAM populations. Under field conditions characterized by a high level of P and N, the seed yield of VAM inoculated plants increased in comparison with non‐ and only rhizobia‐inoculated soybean (+28% and 17%, respectively). Glomus claroideum was capable of competing with the native VAM populations both in the greenhouse and in the field experiment.     

External phosphorus requirement of mycorrhizal and non-mycorrhizal barley and soybean plants

An experiment was conducted under greenhouse conditions to evaluate the effects of vesicular arbuscular mycorrhizal (VAM) fungi on the external P requirements of barley and soybeans. The plants were grown in pots containing a P-deficient soil. A range of 10 P levels was obtained by adding 0, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 70, 110, 160, or 310 mg P kg^-1 as NaH₂PO₄ 2H₂O. Half of the pots were inoculated with the VAM fungus Glomus intraradices. The P concentration in the soil solution was determined using an adsorption isotherm and plotted against the relative yield. Barley did not respond to mycorrhizal inoculation and we concluded that P nutrition was not the limiting factor on the growth of this lowmycotrophic plant. In contrast, mycorrhizal inoculation stimulated the growth of soybeans. The external P requirements were 0.110 g ml^-1 for mycorrhizal and 0.148 g ml^-1 for non-mycorrhizal soybeans to obtain 80% of the maximum yield. In terms of P fertilization this corresponds to a saving of 222 kg P₂O₅ ha^-1. The mycorrhizal dependency of the soybean was highly correlated with the P concentration in the soil solution and it is proposed that both values should be displayed together.     

Impact of VAM on phosphorus nutrition of maize with low soluble phosphate fertilization

In a greenhouse pot experiment, maize was grown inoculated with the spores of the VAM fungi Glomus mosseae and Glomas multicaulis or non‐inoculated. Low soluble ferrous phosphate (FePO₄.₄H₂O) was added to the mycorrhized and non‐mycorrhized maize. The fresh and dry weights of mycorrhized plants with added phosphate (P) were higher than in mycorrhized plants without added P or non‐mycorrhized plants with added P. The amount of P in the soil samples from pots with mycorrhizal plants fertilized with P was evidently smaller than those in samples also fertilized non‐mycorrhizal plants. The percentage of P was higher in tissues of fertilized mycorrhizal plants than in those mycorrhized plants without or non‐mycorrhized plants with added low‐ soluble P. These results indicated that plants in VAM symbiosis mobilize P better from low‐soluble P than non‐mycorrhized plants.     

Nitrogen fixation and CO2 exchange in soybeans (Glycine max L.) inoculated with mixed cultures of different microorganisms

N₂ fixation, photosynthesis of whole plants and yield increases in soybeans inoculated with mixed cultures of Bradyrhizobium japonicum 110 and Pseudomonas fluorescens 20 or P. fluorescens 21 as well as Glomus mosseae were found in pot experiments in gray forest soil carried out in a growth chamber. The effects of pseudomonads and vesicular-arbuscular (VA) mycorrhizal fungus on these parameters were found to be the same. Dual inoculation of soybeans with mixed cultures of microorganisms stimulated nodulation, nitrogenase activity of nodules and enhanced the amount of biological nitrogen in plants as determined by the ¹⁵N dilution method in comparison to soybeans inoculated with nodule bacteria alone. An increased leaf area in dually infected soybeans was estimated to be the major factor increasing photosynthesis. P. fluorescens and G. mosseae stimulated plant growth, photosynthesis and nodulation probably due to the production of plant growth-promoting substances. Increasing phosphorus fertilizer rates within the range of 5–40 mg P 100 g^-1 1:1 (v/v) soil: sand in a greenhouse experiment led to a subsequent improvement in nodulation, and an enhancement of N₂ fixation and yield in soybeans dually inoculated with B. japonicum 110 and P. fluorescens 21. These indexes were considerably higher in P-treated plants inoculated with mixed bacterial culture than in plants inoculated with nodule bacteria alone.     

Biological nitrogen fixation in faba bean (Vicia faba L.) in the Ethiopian highlands as affected by P fertilization and inoculation

 N₂ fixation by leguminous crops is a relatively low-cost alternative to N fertilizer for small-holder farmers in developing countries. N₂ fixation in faba bean (Vicia faba L.) as affected by P fertilization (0 and 20 kg P ha^–1) and inoculation (uninoculated and inoculated) with Rhizobium leguminosarium biovar viciae (strain S-18) was studied using the ¹⁵N isotope dilution method in the southeastern Ethiopian highlands at three sites differing in soil conditions and length of growing period. Nodulation at the late flowering stage was significantly influenced by P and inoculation only at the location exhibiting the lowest soil P and pH levels. The percentage of N derived from the atmosphere ranged from 66 to 74%, 58 to 74% and 62 to 73% with a corresponding total amount of N₂ fixed ranging from 169 to 210 kg N ha^–1, 139 to 184 kg N ha^–1 and 147 to 174 kg N ha^–1 at Bekoji, Kulumsa and Asasa, respectively. The total N₂ fixed was not significantly affected by P fertilizer or inoculation across all locations, and there was no interaction between the factors. However, at all three locations, N₂ fixation was highly positively correlated with the dry matter production and total N yield of faba bean. Soil N balances after faba bean were positive (12–58 kg N ha^–1) relative to the highly negative N balances (–9–44 kg N ha^–1) following wheat (Triticum aestivum L.), highlighting the importance of rotation with faba bean in the cereal-based cropping systems of Ethiopia. Received: 13 January 2000     

Glycine–Glomus–Phosphate Solubilizing Bacteria Interactions Lead to Fertilizer Phosphorus Economy in Soybean in a Himalayan Acid Alfisol

Effects of Glycine–Glomus–phosphate solubilizing bacteria (PSB) interactions were studied on productivity, nutrient dynamics, and root colonization in soybean in a phosphorus (P)–deficient Himalayan acidic Alfisol in a greenhouse experiment. Treatments consisted of three vesicular arbuscular mycorrhizae (VAM) cultures, VAM_L [VAM culture, Glomus mosseae, developed by CSK Himachal Pradesh Agricultural University, Palampur, India], VAM_T [VAM culture, Glomus intraradices, developed by Centre for Mycorrhizal Research, The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI), New Delhi, India], and VAM_I [VAM culture, Glomus mosseae, developed by Indian Agricultural Research Institute (IARI), New Delhi, India], and a local PSB culture (Pseudomonas striata) alone or in combination with or without 75% of recommended phosphorus pentoxide (P₂O₅) dose based on targeted yield concept following the soil-test crop response (STCR) precision model. Sole application of PSB or either of the above VAM cultures considerably enhanced VA-mycorrhizal root colonization and root weight besides crop productivity and nutrient uptake over control. A similar stimulatory effect with significant enhancement on mycorrhizal root colonization and root weight was observed with coinoculation of PSB and VAM cultures over the control. Dual inoculation of VAM and PSB cultures also resulted in significant improvement in grain and straw yield besides grain protein content, thereby revealing a synergistic interaction between VAM and PSB. Coinoculation with either of VAM_T (Glomus intraradices) or VAM_I (Glomus mosseae) + PSB + 75% P₂O₅ dose remained at par with sole application of 100% P₂O₅ dose with respect to crop productivity, nutrient content, nutrient uptake, and soil fertility status besides the greatest root colonization and root weight at flowering, indicating that Glycine–Glomus–PSB interactions in combination with 75% P₂O₅ dose based on STCR precision model lead to economization of fertilizer P by about one-fourth without impairing crop productivity and soil fertility in soybean in a Himalayan acidic Alfisol.     

Influence of Vesicular Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi and Applied Phosphorus on Root Colonization in Wheat and Plant Nutrient Dynamics in a Phosphorus-Deficient Acid Alfisol of Western Himalayas

Vesicular arbuscular mycorrhizal (VAM) fungi symbiosis confers benefits directly to the host plant's growth and yield through acquisition of phosphorus and other macro- and micronutrients, especially from phosphorus (P)–deficient acidic soils. The inoculation of three VAM cultures [viz., local culture (Glomus mosseae), VAM culture from Indian Agricultural Research Institute (IARI), New Delhi (Glomus mosseae), and a culture from the Centre for Mycorrhizal Research, Energy Research Institute (TERI), New Delhi (Glomus intraradices)] along with P fertilization in wheat in a P-deficient acidic alfisol improved the root colonization by 16–24% while grain and straw yields increased by 12.6–15.7% and 13.4–15.4%, respectively, over the control. Uptake of nitrogen (N), P, potassium (K), iron (Fe), manganese (Mn), zinc (Zn), and copper (Cu) was also improved with VAM inoculation over control, but the magnitude of uptake was significantly greater only in the cases of P, Fe, Zn, and Cu. Inoculation of wheat with three VAM cultures in combination with increasing inorganic P application from 50% to 75% of the recommended P₂O₅ dose to wheat through the targeted yield concept following the soil-test crop response (STCR) precision model resulted in consistent and significant improvement in grain and straw yield, macronutrient (NPK) uptake, and micronutrient (Fe, Mn, Zn, Cu) uptake in wheat though root colonization did not improve at P₂O₅ doses beyond 50% of the recommended dose. The VAM cultures alone or in combination with increasing P levels from 50% to 75% P₂O₅ dose resulted in reduction of diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid (DTPA)–extractable micronutrient (Fe, Mn, Zn, Cu) contents in P-deficient acidic soil over the control and initial fertility status, although micronutrient contents were relatively greater in VAM-supplied plots alone or in combination with 50% to 75% P₂O₅ dose over sole application of 100% P₂O₅ dose, thereby indicating the positive role of VAM in nutrient mobilization and nutrient dynamics in the soil–plant system. There was significant improvement in available N and P status in soil with VAM inoculation coupled with increasing P levels upto 75% P₂O₅ dose, although the greatest P buildup was obtained with sole application of 100% P₂O₅ dose. The TERI VAM culture (Glomus intraradices) showed its superiority over the other two cultures (Glomus mosseae) in terms of crop yield and nutrient uptake in wheat though the differences were nonsignificant among the VAM cultures alone or at each P level. Overall, it was inferred that use of VA-mycorrhizal fungi is beneficial under low soil P or in low input (nutrient)–intensive agroecosystems.     

Influence of arbuscular mycorrhizae and phosphorus fertilization on growth, nodulation and N2 fixation (15N) inMedicago sativa at four salinity levels

The rose of an isolate of the arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungusGlomus mosseae in the protection ofMedicago sativa (+Rhizobium meliloti) against salt stress induced by the addition of increasing levels of soluble salts was studied. The interactions between soluble P in soil (four levels), mycorrhizal inoculum and degree of salinity in relation to plant growth, nutrition and infective parameters were evaluated. Salt stress was induced by sequential irrigation with saline water having four concentrations of three salts (NaCl, CaCl₂, and MgCl₂).¹⁵N-labelled ammonium sulphate was added to provide a quantitative estimate of N₂ fixation under moderate to high salinity levels. N and P concentration and nodule formation increased with the amount of plant-available P or mycorrhizal inoculum in the soil and generally declined as the salinity in the solution culture increased from a moderate to a high level. The mycorrhizal inoculation protected the plants from salt stress more efficiently than any amount of plant-available P in soil, particularly at the highest salinity level applied (43.5 dS m^–1). Mycorrhizal inoculation matched the effect on dry matter and nutrition of the addition in the soil of 150 mg P kg^–1. Nevertheless the highest saline solution assayed (43.5 dS m^–1) affected more severely plants supplemented with phosphorus than those with the addition of mycorrhizal inoculum. Such a saline-depressing effect was 1.5 (biomass), 1.4 (N) and 1.5 (P) times higher in plants supplied with soluble phosphate than with AM inoculum. Mechanisms beyond those mediated by P must be involved in the AM-protectioe effect against salinity. The¹⁵N methodology used allowed the determination of N₂ fixation as influenced by different P applications compared to mycorrhizal inoculation. A lack of correlation between nodule formation and function (N₂ fixation) was evidenced in mycorrhizal-inoculated plants. In spite of the reduced activity per nodule in mycorrhizal-inoculated In spite of the reduced activity per nodule in mycorrhizal-inoculated plants, the N contents determined indicated the highest acquisition of N occurred in plants with the symbiotic status. Moreover, N and P uptake increased while Ca and Mg decreased in AM-inoculated plants. Thus P/Ca ratios and cation/anion balance in general were altered in mycorrhizal treatments. This study therefore confirms previous findings that AM-colonized plants have optional and alternative mechanisms available to satisfy their nutritive requirements and to maintain their physiological status in stress situations and in disturbed ecosystems.     

Dinitrogen fixation activity of Azorhizobium caulinodans in the rice (Oryza sativa L.) rhizosphere assessed by nitrogen balance and nitrogen-15 dilution methods

 Azorhizobium caulinodans was directly inoculated onto rice plants in three short-term pot trials. Addition of increasing amounts of sucrose (23, 46, 92 kg ha^–1) did not influence the N economy of the A. caulinodans-rice association during the early vegetative growth stage. A. caulinodans inoculation alone and in combination with the highest amount of sucrose had a significantly positive effect on the N balance, with small but significant N gains in the system. Application of 60 kg urea-N ha^–1 had a negative impact on the N economy of the inoculated treatments. N losses increased and the amount of atmospheric N₂ fixed and incorporated decreased significantly as compared to the amounts under the 20 kg urea-N ha^–1 regime. However, N losses were low – a maximum of 8% – at the early vegetative growth stage under the conditions of the experiments. C limitation does not seem to be a limiting factor for the incorporation of fixed N₂ in this bacteria-plant association. Biological N₂ fixation caused by A. caulinodans inoculation was responsible for 14% of the plant N at the vegetative growth stage and under low N conditions. Received: 30 January 2000     

Response of Determinate and Indeterminate Common Bean Genotypes to Rhizobium Inoculant in a Short Season Rainfed Production System in the Canadian Prairie

ABSTRACT

Common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) has been shown to be a poor di-nitrogen (N₂) fixer and nitrogen (N) fertilizers are usually recommended in bean production. Recent research results suggest that the success of the bean/Rhizobium symbiosis may depend, in part, on the specific bean genotype. Twelve dry bean genotypes differing in growth habit, commercial class, and maturity were evaluated for N₂ fixation in field experiments. Response to inoculant application was highly influenced by environmental conditions. Genotypes differed in nodule dry mass, seed yield, seed N yield, and in amount of N₂ fixed. Growth habit alone was not adequate in classifying bean genotypes for N₂ fixation. The actual amount of N₂ fixed was low ranging from 16 kg ha^?1 to 27 kg ha^?1, suggesting that the symbiotic process alone may not provide adequate N for optimum seed yield in dry environments.     

Sesbania rostrata as a green manure for lowland rice: Growth,N2 fixation,Azorhizobium sp. inoculation,and effects on succeeding crop yields and nitrogen balance

Summary Root and stem nodulation, nitrogen fixation (acetylene-reducing activity), growth and N accumulation bySesbania rostrata as affected by season and inoculation were studied in a pot experiment. The effects ofS. rostrata as a green manure on succeeding wet-season and dry-season rice yields and total N balance were also studied.S. rostrata grown during the wet season showed better growth, nodulation, and greater acetylene-reducing activity than that grown during the dry season. Inoculation withAzorhizobium caulinodans ORS 571 StrSpc® (resistant to streptomycin and spectinomycin) on the stem alone or on both root and stem significantly increased N₂ fixation by the plants. Soil and seed inoculation yielded active root nodules under flooded conditions. Plants that were not inoculated on the stem did not develop stem nodules. The nitrogenase activity of the root nodules was greater than that of the stem nodules in about 50-day-oldS. rostrata. S. rostrata incorporation, irrespective of inoculation, significantly increased the grain yield and N uptake of the succeeding wet season and dry season rice crops. The inoculated treatments produced a significantly greater N gain (873 mg N pot^–1) than the noinoculation (712 mg N pot^–1) treatment. About 80% of the N gained was transferred to the succeeding rice crops and about 20% remained in the soil. The soil N in the flooded fallow-rice treatment significantly declined (–140 mg N pot^–1) but significantly increased in bothS. rostrata-rice treatments (159 and 151 mg N pot^–1 in uninoculated and inoculated treatments respectively). The N-balance data gave extrapolated values of N₂ fixed per hectare at about 303 kg N ha^–1 per two crops forS. rostrata (uninoculated)-rice and 383 forS. rostrata (inoculated)-rice.     

Under filed conditions,mycorrhizal inoculum effectiveness depends on plant species and phosphorus nutrition

Abstract

The cultivation of horticultural crops, such as green peppers, tomatoes, eggplants and bell peppers is very common in semi-arid Mediterranean climate conditions. Two field experiments were performed to determine the effect of mycorrhizal species, plant species and phosphorus levels on mycorrhizal effectiveness and phosphorus (P) and zinc (Zn) nutrient uptake. In the first experiment, under field conditions, four plants species were inoculated with five arbuscular mycorrhizae (AM) species. In the second field experiment, under the same soil conditions, the same plant species were treated with three levels of phosphorus (P), i.e., control; 50?kg and 100?kg P₂O₅ ha^?1. The most effective mycorrhiza species Claroideoglomus etunicatum selected in the first experiment was used in the second field first experiment. In the first experiment, fruit yield enhancement, yield increase, inoculation effectiveness and nutrient concentration in the plant leaves were analyzed. Under field conditions, plant species growth is strongly dependent on the species of AM fungi. Tomato and green pepper plants were inoculated with Cl. etunicatum, eggplants were inoculated with Funneliformis mosseae and bell peppers were inoculated with Rhizophagus clarus, which are high fruit-yielding plant species. In general, Fu. mosseae and Cl. etunicatum increased the yield of the tomatoes, green peppers and eggplants. It seems mycorrhiza species specific to plant species. In the second experiment, mycorrhizal inoculation with P fertilizer application, in particular a moderate amount of P (50?kg ha^?1 P₂O₅) fertilizer increased the green pepper, bell pepper and tomato fruit yield compared with non-inoculated plants and non-P fertilizer application treatments. Increasing the application of P level reduced the mycorrhizal inoculation effectiveness (MIE). The results indicate that for all four solanaceae family plants 50?kg ha^?1 P₂O₅ is a P level threshold for mycorrhizal development, which enhanced plant growth and addition of fertilizer over 50?kg ha^?1 P₂O₅ reduced MIE. P and Zn uptake were significantly increased with mycorrhizal inoculation. These findings are supported by our hypothesis that mycorrhiza inoculation can reduce mycorrhizal dependent horticultural plants P fertilizer requirement.