Effects of different phosphatase-producing fungi on growth and nutrition of mung beans [Vigna radiata (L.) Wilczek] in an arid soil

Summary The efficiency of different phosphatase-producing fungi in arid soils was studied in pot experiments in order to evaluate the effect of these organisms on the enhancement of rhizosphere enzyme activities, the uptake of different nutrients, dry matter production, and grain yields of the mung bean. A significant increase in phosphatase (acid and alkaline), nitrogenase, and dehydrogenase activities was observed upon inoculation. Inoculation with phosphatase-producing fungi significantly increased dry matter production and grain yields compared with uninoculated controls. In general, there was a significant improvement in the uptake of N, P, K, Ca, Mg, Fe, and Zn while no effect on Na, Mn, and Cu was recorded. A significant positive correlation was observed between the activities of various enzymes in the rhizosphere on the one hand and N and P uptake, dry matter production, and grain yields of the mung bean on the other. Aspergillus rugulosus was the best of the phosphatase-producing fungi that were tested, followed by A. terreus. The experiment confirmed that phosphatase-producing fungi have a significant effect on growth and nutrient uptake in the mung bean and indicated that these fungi are particularly important in arid soils.