Journal of
Dryland Agriculture

OFFICIAL PUBLICATION OF THE CENTRE FOR DRYLAND AGRICULTURE, BAYERO UNIVERSITY, KANO
  • Abbreviation: J. Dryland Agric.
  • Language: English
  • ISSN: 2476-8650
  • DOI: 10.5897/JODA
  • Start Year: 2015
  • Published Articles: 48

Full Length Research Paper

Mycorrhiza co-association with Aspilia pluriseta Schweif. and phosphorus uptake effects on growth of gadam sorghum in the semi-arid lower Eastern Kenya

Muchoka J. P.
  • Muchoka J. P.
  • Department of Agricultural Resource Management, School of Agriculture, University of Embu, P. O. Box 6-60100, Embu, Kenya.
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Mugendi D. N.
  • Mugendi D. N.
  • Department of Agricultural Resource Management, School of Agriculture, University of Embu, P. O. Box 6-60100, Embu, Kenya.
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Njiruh P. N.
  • Njiruh P. N.
  • Department of Agricultural Resource Management, School of Agriculture, University of Embu, P. O. Box 6-60100, Embu, Kenya.
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Onyari C. N.
  • Onyari C. N.
  • Department of Land and Water Management, School of Agriculture, University of Embu, P. O. Box 6-60100, Embu, Kenya.
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Mbugua P. K.
  • Mbugua P. K.
  • Department of Plant Sciences, School of Pure and Applied Sciences, Kenyatta University, P. O. Box 43844-00100, Nairobi, Kenya.
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Njeru E. M.
  • Njeru E. M.
  • Department of Biochemistry, Microbiology and Biotechnology, School of Pure and Applied Sciences, Kenyatta University, P. O. Box 43844-00100, Nairobi, Kenya.
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  •  Received: 11 June 2020
  •  Accepted: 22 July 2020
  •  Published: 31 August 2020

Abstract

Mycorrhiza fungi are important components of soil microbiota in the rhizosphere and greatly influence the uptake of mineral elements by plants. A greenhouse experiment was conducted at the University of Embu to evaluate effect of Aspilia pluriseta rhizosphere mycorrhiza on phosphorus uptake by gadam sorghum. Pots were filled with soil from a predetermined source in the semi-arid Gakurungu, Tunyai and Kanyuambora regions of Kenya. A completely randomized block design was used with each treatment replicated four times giving n=144.  Regular watering was maintained for thirty-five days. Data were analyzed using three-way ANOVA. Seed emergence, hypocotyl development and stand count were enhanced at P≤0.05 in both mycorrhiza fungi inoculated gadam sorghum seeds and in pots whose soils were taken from the rhizosphere of A. pluriseta plants. The growth attributes had a positive correlation with yield at 95% confidence. Soil phosphate level was enhanced where seed inoculation with mycorrhiza was done and in soils previously grown A. pluriseta vegetation. A. pluriseta bush fallows can be used for phosphate bio-remediation and cover crop in arid and semi-arid environments.

Key words: Rhizosphere, Mycorrhiza, Phosphorus, Aspilia pluriseta, inoculation.

Copyright © 2025 Author(s) retain the copyright of this article.

This article is published under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License 4.0

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