Competition among strains of Bradyrhizobium and vesicular-arbuscular mycorrhizae for groundnut (Arachis hypogaea L.) root infection and their effect on plant growth and yield

Summary Strains of Bradyrhizobium influenced root colonization by a species of vesicular-arbuscular mycorrhizae (VAM), and species of VAM influenced root nodulation by strains of Bradyrhizobium in pot experiments. In a field experiment, the effects of VAM on competition amongst inoculated bradyrhizobia were less evident, but inoculation with Bradyrhizobium strains increased root colonization by VAM. Certain VAM/Bradyrhizobium inoculum strain combinations produced higher nodule numbers. Plants grown without Bradyrhizobium and VAM, but supplied with ammonium nitrate (300 g ml^–1) and potassium phosphate (16 g ml^–1), produced higher dry-matter yields than those inoculated with both symbionts in the pot experiment. Inoculation with either symbiont in the field did not result in higher pod and haulm yields at harvest.ICRISAT Journal Article No. 886