Infectivity and effectiveness of an arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi native inoculum on the growth and absorption of macroelements in maize (Zea mays L.) plants

Resumen

Objective: To evaluate the impact of an arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) native inoculum on the growth and absorption of macroelements in maize (Zea mays) under seedbed conditions.

Design/Methodology/Approach: The experiment consisted of a completely randomized experimental design with four treatments (three inocula of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi and an uninoculated control) and 30 repetitions, resulting in 120 experimental units. Two consortia of commercial AMF were used: AMF1, AMF2 and, one native AMF3 treatment. The experiment included a control (T) without inoculation. The variables evaluated were: total dry weight and mycorrhizal colonization in plants and nutritional content of nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and potassium (K) in plant tissue.

Results: The application of the native inoculum (AMF3) had a significantly greater impact on total dry weight, as well as on P and K content in plant tissue, than the rest of the treatments (particularly the control). AMF3 showed 18% more mycorrhizal colonization than the rest of the treatments.

Study Limitations/Implications: The experiment was carried out under seedbed conditions and did not include the production stage; therefore, the impact of the treatments on maize production is unknown.

Findings/Conclusions: Maize (Zea mays) plants had a positive response to inoculation with arbuscular mycorrhiza-forming fungi. The bio-technological potential of AMF3 (Claroideoglomus claroideum), a mycorrhizal consortium native to the rhizosphere, can be used to reinforce the development of maize plants, increasing the absorption of macroelements and inducing greater growth and root development.