Anju Tanwar

Impact of different levels of superphosphate using arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi and Pseudomonasfluorescens on Chrysanthemum indicum L

A pot experiment was conducted to investigate the potential effect of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (Glomus mosseae & Acaulospora laevis) and phosphate solubi- lizing bacteria (Pseudomonas fluorescens) with different levels of superphosphate on Chrysanthemum indicum L. After 100 days, different plant growth parameters such as mycorrhizations characteristics, phosphatase activity and phosphorus up- take were measured. The obtained results revealed that the inoculation of plants with biofertilizers and recommended dose of superphosphate significantly improved the growth parameters. Inoculation with A. laevis + P. fluorescens at medium con- centration of superphosphate showed maximum height, fresh and dry root weight, AM root colonization, AM spore count, alkaline phosphatase activity, acidic phos- phatase activity and the percent phosphorus uptake in shoot and root whereas root length was maximum in G. mosseae + A. laevis + P. fluorescens. Leaf area and fresh and dry shoot weight were maximum in the treatment (G. mosseae + A. laevis + P. fluorescens) at low concentration of superphosphate. The use of AMF increased nu- trient acquisition from an organic fertilizer source by enhancing acidic phosphatase (ACP) and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity, thus facilitating P acquisition and improving plant growth.

Arbuscular mycorrhizal inoculation and super phosphate application influence plant growth and yield of Capsicum annuum

The effect of two arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi [G. mosseae (G) and A. laevis (A)] with P. fluorescence (Pf) in the presence of super phosphate (P) fertilization on growth and yield of bell pepper (Capsicum annuum var. California Wonder) was evaluated in pots under greenhouse conditions, in a completely randomized design with four levels of phosphorus fertilizer [F0–without P, F1–0.200g pot -1 (half of the recommended dose), F3–0.400g pot -1 (recommended dose) and F4–0.800g pot -1 (double the recommended dose)] having six different combinations of bioinoculants. Inoculation of bioinoclulants with F1 increased plant growth and nutrition to an acceptable level with AM fungi in combination with P. fluorescens. Application of higher dose of P fertilizer markedly decreased all the growth parameters. The prevalence of AM colonization was highest in G+A+Pf with F1. Similarly highest yield was recorded for the treatment involving multi inoculation of G+A+Pf in the treatment of F1 followed by dual inoculation of G+Pf in F0 plants. Thus this finding suggests the application of efficient bioinoculants (G+A+Pf) along with right dose of P fertilizer (half of the recommended P) during seedling transplantation to increase overall growth and yield performance of bell pepper and could be considered as a sustainable substitute to higher phosphorus fertilizer for bell pepper cultivation.

Screening and selection of efficient host and sugarcane bagasse as substrate for mass multiplication of Funneliformis mosseae

This investigation reports a novel and low-cost method of inoculum production of arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungus, Funneliformis mosseae (sensu Glomus mosseae), using an organic medium. The experiment is a 3 × 3 × 4 factorial design employing three hosts, maize (Zea mays L.), lemon grass (Cymbopogon nardus (L.) Rendle) and palmarosa (Cymbopogan martini (Roxb.) Wats.), three forms of sugarcane bagasse substrate (fresh, dry and compost) and four different concentrations of each substrate (without substrate, 25, 50 and 100 g pot− 1). Mass multiplication of F. mosseae was measured in terms of AM spore number and per cent root colonization. The plant growth was monitored in terms of plant height, above-ground fresh and dry weights and root fresh and dry weights. All three grasses tested varied in their tendency to be colonized by F. mosseae and in spore formation. Maize was found to be the most appropriate host followed by lemon grass and palmarosa. In the case of maize, a positive relationship was observed between spore number and root colonization rate and compost bagasse with highest concentration, 100 g, resulted in the greatest multiplication of F. mosseae. Maize with 100 g compost bagasse, lemon grass with 25 g of dry and 50 g of compost bagasse and palmarosa with 100 g compost and fresh bagasse showed greatest increase in plant growth.

Biological Amendments on Growth, Nutritional Quality, and Yield of Celery

Soil nutrients can decrease during organic production of celery (Apium graveolens L.) transplants. Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) are known to promote plant nutrition and growth. Hence, a study was carried out to determine the potential of AMF [Funneliformis mosseae (Nicol. and Gerd.) Walker and Schüβler and Acaulospora laevis Gerd. and Trappe], used alone or in combination with the bacterium Pseudomonas fluorescens and/or the nonmycorrhizal fungus Trichoderma viride Pers. on celery in a greenhouse. The objective was to select an efficient AMF, or other growth-promoting microbes, for soil inoculation to improve establishment and growth of celery transplants. Inoculation with a combination of F. mosseae + P. fluorescens produced increased root length and fresh and dry weights, and the best plant height was obtained when all of the bioinoculants were used together. Mycorrhizal root colonization increased when P. fluorescens was used and the combination of F. mosseae + P. fluorescens produced the most colonization. Inoculation with F. mosseae + P. fluorescens increased shoot and root P content and root N content and increased celery yield by increasing leafstalk length. Higher photosynthetic rate, chlorophyll content, and shoot N content occurred when F. mosseae + A. laevis + P. fluorescens was used, with improved numbers of leafstalks, leaf area, and basal disc diameter. Soil amended with F. mosseae + P. fluorescens and F. mosseae + A. laevis + P. fluorescens at transplanting stage increased production of high-quality celery stalks with better nutrition and reduced fertilizer application.

Effect of bioinoculants and superphosphate fertilizer on the growth and yield of broccoli (Brassica oleracea L. var. italica Plenck)

A glasshouse pot experiment was conducted to investigate the effect of two species of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (Glomus intraradices and Acaulospora laevis) and Pseudomonas fluorescens under three levels of superphosphate fertilizer (half dose, 40 kg/ha; recommended dose, 80 kg/ha; and double dose, 160 g/ha) on the growth and yield of broccoli (Brassica oleracea var. italica). There was negligible colonization of broccoli roots by the mycorrhizal fungi, demonstrating that they have no role in the growth of this plant. However, the strain of P. fluorescens used (MTCC No. 103) was found to have a potential role in enhancing the growth, phosphatase activity, chlorophyll content, nutrient uptake and yield of broccoli when combined with the recommended dose of fertilizer. By contrast, P. fluorescens combined with a half or double dose of fertilizer led to poor growth and delayed head formation. This suggests that root inoculation with P. fluorescens (MTCC No. 103) will improve plant growth, nutrient uptake and yield of broccoli when combined with the recommended dose of superphosphate fertilizer.

Multifaceted potential of bioinoculants on red bell pepper (F1 hybrid, Indam Mamatha) production

The present investigation was undertaken to determine the comparative efficacy of two arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi (Funneliformis mosseae and Acaulospora laevis) with Trichoderma viride and Pseudomonas fluorescens on growth and yield of red bell pepper. The results indicate that F. mosseae colonized the plant roots better as compared to A. laevis and promoted maximum increment in AM spore number, root colonization, leaf area, acid phosphatase activity, early fruit formation along with maximum increase in fruit nitrogen, and protein content. Whereas F. mosseae+P. fluorescens promoted maximum increase in plant height, shoot weight, mycorrhizal dependency, chlorophyll a, alkaline phosphatase activity, and fruit phosphorus content. Regarding root length, root weight, leaf photosynthesis, chlorophyll b, number of fruits per plant and their fresh weight, it was found best in F. mosseae+A. laevis+P. fluorescens. Therefore, soil inoculation with suitable bioinoculant should be used at nursery stage for better yield.

Influence of Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi and Pseudomonas fluorescens at Different Superphosphate Levels on Linseed (Linum usitatissimum L.) Growth Response

The aim of this study was to investigate the influence of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) Glomus mosseae (T.H. Nicolson & Gerd.) Gerd. & Trappe and Acaulospora laevis (Gerd. & Trappe) on linseed (Linum usitatissimum L.) growth response with phosphate solubilizing bacteria Pseudomonas fluorescens; different doses of superphosphate were used: 20 kg ha -1 (half recommended dose), 40 kg ha -1 (recommended dose), and 80 kg ha -1 (double recommended dose) in earthen pots filled with sterilized soil under greenhouse conditions. Among all the growth parameters, the following were the highest in the G. mosseae + P. fluorescens combination at the medium concentration (recommended superphosphate dose): plant height (78.74 ± 1.8 cm), fresh shoot weight (3.45 ± 0.294 g), dry shoot weight (0.57 ± 0.007 g), fresh root weight (0.223 ± 0.023 g), dry root weight (0.036 ± 0.004 g), root length (17.67 ± 0.48 cm), AM spore number (94.4 ± 9.86), shoot (1.14 ± 0.115%) and root (1.29 ± 0.110%) P content, and acidic (0.447 ± 0.012 IU g -1 FW) and alkaline phosphatase activity (0.119 ± 0.008 IU g -1 FW). The percentage mycorrhizal root colonization with the A. laevis + P. fluorescens (86.86 ± 2.17%) combination and chlorophyll content with the G. mosseae + A. laevis + P. fluorescens (0.474 ± 0.009 mg g -1 FW) combination recorded the highest values at the low concentration (half recommended superphosphate dose) as compared with non-mycorrhizal plants (control). The high superphosphate dose clearly reduced or decreased all the growth parameters. Therefore, vigorous growth and maximum flax yield can be achieved by inoculating plants with AM fungi and P. fluorescens with the recommended dose or less than the recommended dose of superphosphate.

Enhancement of Lead Uptake by Fenugreek Using EDTA and Glomus mosseae

The influence of Glomus mosseae supplemented with ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) on lead (Pb) uptake by Fenugreek (Trigonella foenum-graecum) was studied under pot conditions in a 2 × 2 × 5 factorial design with two AM treatments (G. mosseae inoculated and uninoculated), two EDTA concentrations (without and with 2.5 mmol EDTA kg−1), and five lead concentrations (0, 50, 100, 400, and 800 mg kg−1). A negative interaction was found between increasing lead concentration and G. mosseae. The plant dry matter and chlorophyll content was enhanced by G. mosseae whereas G. mosseae with EDTA showed the greatest root and shoot phosphorus (P) content. Ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid significantly enhanced lead concentration in the plant; however, at the same time it resulted in a slight decrease in the dry matter. However, when EDTA was applied along with G. mosseae, the deleterious effect of EDTA was overcome by the G. mosseae by promoting mineral uptake and plant growth, and hence metal accumulation also increased.

Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi and Trichoderma viride mediated Fusarium wilt control in tomato

Abstract The biocontrol potential of two arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) (Funneliformis mosseae and Acaulospora laevis) and Trichoderma viride was assessed against tomato wilt caused by Fusarium oxysporum Schlecht. f. sp. lycopersici under pot condition. All the bioagent showed appreciable results in increasing plant growth. Combined inoculation of F. mosseae, A. laevis and T. viride showed maximum increases in plant height, shoot fresh weight, root dry weight, number of leaves and number of branches per plant while dual inoculation of F. mosseae and T. viride increased rest of the growth parameters like shoot dry weight, root fresh weight, root length and leaf area. AM colonisation and spore number was found highest in single inoculation of AMF, which decreases with the addition of T. viride. But, this decrease has no effect on biocontrol efficiency of bioagents. Photosynthesis, chlorophyll content and nutrient content were markedly decreased by pathogen infection. Bioagent application overcomes this effect and a remarkable increase in the plant phosphorus and nitrogen content was recorded. Among both the AMF, F. mosseae proved to be more effective strain compared to A. laevis for tomato. Maximum reduction in disease incidence and severity was recorded in combined inoculation of F. mosseae, A. laevis and T. viride. Whereas control plants without any bioagent showed maximum occurrence of disease. The findings of this study concludes that soil inoculation with F. mosseae along with root inoculation with conidial suspension of T. viride before transplantation offered better survival and resistance to tomato seedlings against Fusarium wilt.

SUGARCANE BAGASSE: A NOVEL SUBSTRATE FOR MASS MULTIPLICATION OF FUNNELIFORMIS MOSSEAE WITH ONION AS HOST

A pot experiment was conducted to test the influence of sugarcane bagasse (fibrous waste left over by recovery of sugarcane juice) as a substrate for the inoculum production of Funneliformis mosseae which was recorded in terms of root colonization, spore number and colonization pattern. Their effect on growth performance of onion was also recorded in terms of increase in plant height, above ground fresh and dry weight, root length, root fresh and dry weight. The experiment is a 3×4 factorial design employing three forms of bagasse (fresh, dry and compost) and their four different concentrations (without substrate, 25 g/pot, 50 g/pot and 100 g/pot). The results showed that the positive influence of compost bagasse, which promoted higher root colonization and sporulation, followed by dry and fresh bagasse. Maximum spores, vesicles, arbuscules and 100 per cent colonized roots were detected in plants supplemented with 25 g compost bagasse. This treatment also influences significant increase in plant growth. Although, increasing substrate concentration proved stimulatory to AM fungus as well as onion plant growth but highest concentration (100 g) proved inhibitory. Hence, compost bagasse can be exploited for the multiplication of F. mosseae by farmers as it is a cost effective method of production.