Effect of Different Sources of Arbuscular Mycorrhiza on the Performance of Chilli Seedlings

Abstract

The effect of different sources of arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi on chilli seedlings was conducted in the net house of Soil Science Division, BARI, Gazipur. The AM fungi from various sources including an exotic variety were included in this study. Soil-based AM inoculum was used at the rate of 50 g/pot. It was found that the growth, biomass yield and nutrient uptake of inoculated seedlings were significantly higher than those of uninoculated seedlings. Such higher growth and nutrient uptake appeared to be due to beneficial effects of AM fungi. The performance of the indigenous AM inocula was much better than the exotic inoculum with respect to biomass production and nutrient uptake. Inoculation with AM fungi helped to produce healthy and vigorous seedlings with faster growth. This would help reducing the nursery life and thereby reduce the cost of seedling production. It is expected that the AM inoculated seedlings might perform better in the field trail since the fungi could colonize with the roots.