Abstract

Arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi are well known for their plant growth promoting efficiency and providing bio-protection against soil–borne pathogens (bacterial, fungal and parasitic nematodes). The efficiency of AM fungi as bio-control agents in commercial organic agriculture is gaining significance in recent decades. However, little information is available regarding beneficial role of AM symbiosis in organic manure amended soil. In the present work, an attempt has been made to study the growth performance of Chili (Capsicum frutescens L.) inoculated with AM fungi in soil amended with different dosages of organic manure. The experiment was conducted in a randomized design with four levels of organic manure (0, 50, 100 and 150%) and inoculation with five different AM Fungi species (Acaulospora denticulata, Gigaspora albida, Glomus geosporum,Scutellospora corolloidea and Scutellospora scutata). Plants were harvested after 3 months from the date of planting and plant growth was recorded. The inoculation with AM fungi at different levels of organic manure showed significantly more shoot and root dry weight than the non-mycorrhizal plants. The nitrogen content in shoot showed mixed response, resulting into significantly more nitrogen in G. geosporum, S. corolloidea and S. scutata inoculated plants in comparison to the non-mycorrhizal plants as well as plants inoculated with A. denticulata and G. albida. The Phosphorus content in the shoot was highest at 150% of organic manure application with AM plants recording significantly more phosphorus content than the non-mycorrhizal plants. Percent root infection by all AM fungi increased significantly due to amendment of soil with organic manure. Maximum root infection was caused at 100% of organic manure application in soil.

Key words: Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi, organic manure, symbiosis, bio-control agents,C. frutescens L.