Impact of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi applications on maize production and soil phosphorus availability

We investigated in field experiments whether soil application of a commercial mycorrhizal inoculum (CI) with and without addition of phosphorus (P) fertilizers provided greater maize (Zea mays L.) yields and more soil available P than indigenous fungi alone. A field experiment was established with and without applications of commercial inoculum of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) in combination with three fertilizer rates (NPK=N200P90K160; NK=N200P0K160; and control=N0P0K0). Plant and soil (bulk and rhizosphere soil) samples were collected. Results showed that application of CI, in the NK treatment, resulted in plant growth, grain yield and P uptake similar to that found in treatments that received P fertilizer (NPK). After 40days, inoculation increased available soil P concentrations, both in the NPK and NK treatments. This indicates that inoculated roots mobilize more P and plants may have uptaken more P from soil. The results suggest that AMF inoculation can be used as a component of integrated nutrient management strategies. ► Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) are important for plant growth and nutrition. ► There is potential to use AMF inoculum to enhance the use efficiency of P fertilizers. ► Inoculation with AMF affects plant P content with or without P fertilizers addition. ► Inoculation may improve P availability in P unamended and amended soil.