| Abstract: | Most plant nutrients are optimally available when soil pH is close to neutral. In this experiment the effects of Thiobacillus and Mycorrhiza on nutrient uptake and grain yield of maize were studied on an alkaline soil as a factorial experiment with randomized complete blocks design. Treatments consisted of Mycorrhiza fungi (M): inoculated (m1) and noninoculated (m0), Thiobacillus (T): inoculated (t1) and noninoculated (t0), and sulfur (S) (S0, S1: 250, and S2: 500 kg ha?1). Inoculation of Mycorrhiza, Thiobacillus, and S application decreased soil pH and increased grain yield and seed oil content. The lowest soil pH and the greatest S content were obtained from the combination of Thiobacillus and 500 kg ha?1 S. Inoculation of Thiobacillus and S application significantly decreased root colonization. The greatest iron (Fe) content was in the combination of Mycorrhiza inoculation and 500 kg ha?1 S. Grain P content significantly increased with Mycorrhiza inoculation and S application. The greatest grain yield obtained from combination of Thiobacillus with 500 kg ha?1 S. |
