The influence of the inoculation of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi, soil reaction, and phosphate fertilizers on the growth maize plants

Abstract

The aim of this research was to evaluate the effect of the inoculation of exotic arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF), soil reaction and P fertilizers on the growth and mineral composition of maize plants, Zea mays L. (Poaceae). The experiment was carried out in an acid soil (Dark Red Oxisol), using random blocks in outline factorial (2x2x2), corresponding to two levels of V% (21 and 60%), two sources of P (Na₂H₂PO₄ and Ca₃ (PO₄)₂),and AMF inoculated and not AMF inoculated, with five replicates. The AMF inoculation, in acid soil, provided, in the maize leaves, larger concentrations of P, K and of Cu, decreasing the effects of the acidity of the soil, in soluble source of P. The soil correction promoted the largest values of radical length, Mg concentration in the leaves and of aerial dry matter and decreased Mn content. The combination of soil correction - P low solubility - AMF autochthonous demonstrated to be most propitious to the development of used maize cultivar