Field inoculation of Medicago with V-A mycorrhiza and Rhizobium in phosphate-fixing agricultural soil

Field inoculation of Medicago sativa with its symbiotic partners Rhizobium meliloti and the endomycorrhizal fungus Glomus mosseae was assayed under standard agricultural conditions in untreated arable phosphate-fixing soil. Glomus mosseae was successfully introduced and efficiently stimulated plant growth, N incorporation and P uptake. In contrast with a previous filed experiment, Rhizobium meliloti was also effective when inoculated alone. The dual inoculation of Rhizobium + Glomus more than doubled yield compared to an uninoculated control.