Synergistic effect between Phosphate Solubilising Bacteria and Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi on Growth and P uptake in zea mays

Abstract

Green house earthen pot experiments were undertaken by using sterilized sandy loam garden soils, with the inoculation of (AM fungi) and Bacillus megaterium (Phosphate Solubilising Bacterium). Plants inoculated with AM fungi and PSB in sterilized soil produced significantly higher growth, dry matter, increased per cent root colonization, chlorophyll content in leaves and Phosphorus uptake in shoot and root. Moderate or lower growth response was observed among the plants which were inoculated either PSB or AM fungus alone. On the contrary uninoculated plants in sterilized garden soil did not showed the improvement of plant growth and P uptake. A synergistic effect was recorded with increased plant dry matter, per cent root colonization and P uptake in Zea mays. Plants with inoculation both the inoculants in sterilized soil compare to unsterilized soil.