Impact of Different Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi on Nutrient Status and Their Uptake by Melia azedarach Seedling

Abstract

Melia azedarach belongs to the family Meliaceae, is a deciduous tree with a short bole and a spreading crown and one of the most important trees in arid and semi-arid area. The arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) are soil microorganisms composing the essential components of the sustainable soil-plant system. These AMF form extensive extraradical mycelia which increases accessible soil volume for the plant to absorb phosphorus and water. The effect of three different species of Glomus (G. mosseae, G. intraradices and G. fasciculatum) of AM fungi inoculated with Melia azedarach drupes was observed in the nursery of the Forestry Department, CCS Haryana Agricultural University, Hisar during 2019. The results revealed that application of three Glomus species in combination produced synergistic increase in soil macro and micro nutrient contents after harvest i.e. N = 119.86 kg ha-1, P = 16.91 kg ha-1, K = 260.86 kg ha-1, Fe = 5.95 ppm, Zn = 0.66 ppm, Cu =0.42 ppm and Mn = 1.63 ppm. Similarly, there was significantly higher macro and micronutrient (N = 1.39 %, P = 0.27 %, K = 0.63 %, Fe = 90.43 ppm, Zn = 32.24 ppm, Cu = 9.96 ppm and Mn = 31.28 ppm) concentrations in leaves after 180 days in the treatments when soil was inoculated with all three Glomus species. The seedlings uptake of macro and micronutrient was also found highest when three Glomus species were inoculated artificially and simultaneously in soil. Inoculation of the AM fungi improved soil fertility, nutrient content and uptake in Melia azedarach.