Abstract

The functioning and efficacy of a liquid inoculum containing spores of the arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) Glomus hoi previously isolated from saline soil, were evaluated over growth and production of Oryza sativa plants cultivated under flooding conditions. Growth dynamics, grains weight, panicles number, as well as panicles weight were determined in the rice plants. Other mycorrhizal parameters such as biomass of ectophyte (EcB), arbuscular endophyte biomass (AEB), the ratio EcB:AEB, spore density and visual fungal density were also determined. The treatments evaluated were Mycorrhizal plants and Non-mycorrhizal plants (control). Results showed that rice plants inoculated with AMF grew higher than control plants. This was related to the AEB and EcB development. For the yield parameters the AMF treatment presented the highest values compared to control. These results showed the capability of a liquid inoculum to promote growth, development and improve the production of rice plants under saline conditions. This study showed the potential of using a liquid inoculum in field given its ability to store more spores without affecting their viability. In addition, the high applicability and easier manipulation of a liquid inoculum compared to the traditional solid inocula would reduce costs and maximize benefits in field.

Key words: Growth, increase production, Oryza sativa, liquid biofertilizer, saline soil.