Effects of phosphorus levels on dry matter production and root traits of chickpea plants in presence or absence of Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi

Yagoob Habibzadeh

 

Research Paper I Published March,2015

Journal of Agricultural Science and Food Technology  Vol. 1 (1), pp.1-6

ABSTRACT

To determine how chickpea plant's respond to colonization by mycorrhizal fungi and phosphorus application relates to its ability to acquire and utilize phosphorus for growth, a factorial experiment was carried out based on a randomized completely design in pot culture. Four treatments (rates) of phosphorus fertilizer, the first factor, were considered including 2, 5, 10, 15 mg P kg^-1 soil. For the second factor that is mycorrhizal fungus the three components were the two species Glomus mosseae, G. intraradices of mycorrhiza species, and the control (no inoculation with mycorrhizal fungus) arranged in three replications. Results showed that above ground dry matter of chickpea inoculated with the two Glomus species produced higher dry matter (mean 382.92 mg/plant),  more root fresh,  and dry weights (mean 2452.50 mg/plant and 192.50 mg/plant, respectively), longer roots (mean 25.96 cm),  and root volume (mean 3.11 cm³) than the control. Highest mycorrhizal colonization by G. mosseae and G. intraradices was obtained at 2mg P kg^-1 soil; 49.88% and 41.81%, respectively. G. mosseae and G. intraradices had led to maximum leaf phosphorus contents that are 343.98 and 338.47 mg/100g of leaf dry weight, respectively, at 15 mg P kg^-1 soil. All parameters measured were positively correlated (r = 0.60 to 0.72) with above ground dry matter. Although phosphorus applications showed to be increasing above-ground dry matter and root characteristics, our study clearly demonstrated that mycorrhizal fungi play an important role in the enhancement of growth of chickpea plants under very low phosphorus conditions.

Key words: Chickpea, dry matter, mycorrhizal fungi, phosphorus, plant roots.

 

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