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Enhancement of Colonisation of Soybean Roots by Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi Using Vermicompost and Biochar

Received: 06 June 2016    Accepted: 16 June 2016    Published: 30 June 2016
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Abstract

Pollution and contamination of soil is one of the major concerns in the world today. Excessive use of synthetic fertilisers has caused tremendous harm to the environment and the human population indirectly. Chemical residues accumulated in crops that find their way to into the human food chain have been found to have adverse health effects. Enrichment of lakes with runoff from heavily-fertilised farms has resulted in eutrophication and pollution of water bodies. Application of organic matter and use of mycorrhiza have been recommended as ways of mitigating these problems. The aim of the study was to investigate the effect of organic amendments on colonisation of soybean roots by arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi. The study consisted of a field experiment of seven treatments with 3 replications in a complete randomized block design. The treatments were biochar (B), vermicompost (V), mycorrhiza (M), biochar and vermicompost (BV), biochar and mycorrhiza (BM), biochar, vermicompost and mycorrhiza (BVM), mycorrhiza and vermicompost (MV), and the control block which had no amendments (NT). Before planting of soybeans and application of amendments, soil samples were collected for characterization of soil chemical properties and mycorrhizal spores. Soybean seeds were planted in each plot. At flowering time, roots were screened for percentage mycorrhizal colonisation and dry mass of plants from each plot was taken. At harvest time, soil samples, plants and harvested soybeans from each plot were collected and dry weight taken. There was mean increase of 53.38% in levels of phosphorous and 15.33% of carbon in the soil after application of amendments. Levels of nitrogen decreased in all treatment blocks. There was a significant (P<0.0000) increase in arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi spores after application of treatments. The colonization percentage of arbuscules in roots was highest (14.7%) in the bio char and vermicomposting blocks (BV) while the blocks without any treatment, NT, had the lowest colonization percentage of 1.2%. The highest dry weight of both shoots and roots were recorded in blocks treated with biochar which also had the highest weight of harvested soy bean seeds with a mean of 171.28g. Blocks treated with mycorrhiza had the lowest harvest weight of soybean seeds with a mean of 58.17g. From this study it was concluded that the organic amendments enhanced the activity of the already-present mycorrhizal fungi in the soil, without requiring the introduction of commercial mycorrhizal amendments and biochar enhances microbial activity which stimulates crop productivity.

DOI 10.11648/j.aff.20160503.17
Published in Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (Volume 5, Issue 3, June 2016)
Page(s) 71-78
Creative Commons

This is an Open Access article, distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits unrestricted use, distribution and reproduction in any medium or format, provided the original work is properly cited.

Copyright

Copyright © The Author(s), 2024. Published by Science Publishing Group

Keywords

Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi, Organic Amendments, Soybean, Vermicompost, Biochar

References
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[2] Brundrett, M. (2009). Mycorrhizas in Natural Ecosystems. Advances In Ecological Research, 21, 171–313.
[3] Nepolean, P., Jayanthi, R., Vidhya Palavi, R., Balamurugan, A., Kuberan, T., Beulah, T., & Premkumar, R. (2012). Role of Biofertilisers in Increasing Tea Productivity. Asian Pacific Journal of Tropical Biomedicine, S 1443–S 1445.
[4] Douds Jr., D. D, Lee, J., Uknalis, J., Boateng, A. A. & Ziegler-Ulsh, C., (2014). Pelletized biochar as a carrier for AM fungi in the on-farm system of inoculum production in compost and vermiculite mixtures. Compost Science & Utilization, 22 (4), 253-262.
[5] Bakry Ahmed Bakry, Omar Maghawry Ibrahim, Abdelraouf Ramadan Eid & Elham Abdelmoneim Badr. (2014). Effect of humic acid, mycorrhiza inoculation, and biochar on yield and water use efficiency of flax under newly reclaimed sandy soil. Agricultural Sciences, 5, 1427-1432.
[6] Verheijen, F. G., Jeffery, S., Bastos, A. C., van der Velde, M., & Diafas, I. (2010). Biochar Application to Soils - A Critical Scientific Review of Effects on Soil Properties, Processes and Functions (No. EUR 24099 EN) (pp. 1–149). Luxembourg: Office for the Official Publications of the European Communities.
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[9] Sinha, R. K. (2009). Earthworms vermicompost: a powerful crop nutrient over the conventional compost & protective soil conditioner against the destructive chemical fertilisers for food safety and security. American-Eurasian Journal of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, 5 (S), 1-55.
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[14] Mathimaran, N., Ruh, R., Jama, B., Verchot, L., Frossard, E., & Jansa, J. (2007). Impact of agricultural management on arbuscular mycorrhizal fungal communities in Kenyan ferralsol. Agriculture, Ecosystems and Environment, 119, 22–32.
[15] Jain, M. C., Sharma, M. K., Bhatnagar, P., Meena, M., & Yadav, R. K. (2012). Effect of Mycorrhiza and Vermicompost on Properties of Vertisol Soil and Leaf Content of Nagpur Mandarin (Citrus reticulata Blanco). Asian Journal of Horticulture, 7 (2), 528–532.
[16] Mau, A. E., & Utami, S. R. (2014). Effects of Biochar amendment and arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi inoculation on availability of soil phosphorous and growth of maize. Journal Of Degraded And Mining Lands Management, 1 (2), 69–74.
[17] Laufer, J., & Tomlinson, T. (2013) Biochar Field Studies: An IBI Research Summary (Research Summary) (pp. 1-10). International Biochar Initative.
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[19] Elmer, W. H., & Pignatello, J. J. (2011). Effect of Biochar Amendments on Mycorrhizal Associations and Fusarium Crown and Root Rot of Asparagus in Replant Soils. Plant Disease, 95 (8), 960–966.
[20] Warnock, D., Mummey, D., McBride, B., Major, J., Lehmann, J., & Rillig, M. (2010). Influences of non-herbaceous biochar on arbuscular mycorrhizal fungal abundances in roots and soils: Results from growth-chamber and field experiments. Applied Soil Ecology, 46, 450–456.
[21] Coelho, I., Pedone-Bonfim, M., Silva, F., & Maia, L. (2014). Optimization of the production of mycorrhizal inoculum on substrate with organic fertilizer. Brazilian Journal of Microbiology, 45 (4), 1173–1178.
[22] Sousa, C. da S., Menezes, R. S. C., Sampaio, E. V. de S., Oehl, F., Maia, L. C., Garrido, M. da S., & Lima, F. de S. (2012). Occurrence of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi after organic fertilization in maize, cowpea and cotton intercropping systems. Acta Scientarum, 34 (2), 149–156.
[23] Oehl, F., Sieverding, E., Ineichen, K., Mader, P., Boller, T., & Wiemken, A. (2003). Impact of Land Use Intensity on the Species Diversity of Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi in Agroecosystems of Central Europe. Applied And Environmental Microbiology, 69 (5), 2816–2824.
[24] Solaiman, Z., Sarcheshmehpour, M., Abbott, L., & Blackwell, P. (2010). Effect of biochar on arbuscular mycorrhizal colonisation, growth, P nutrition and leaf gas exchange of wheat and clover influenced by different water regimes. In Soil Solutions for a Changing World. Brisbane, Australia: 19th World Congress of Soil Science.
[25] Copetta, A., Bardi, L., Bertolone, E., & Berta, G. (2011). Fruit production and quality of tomato plants (Solanum lycopersicum L.) are affected by green compost and arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi. Plant Biosystems, 145 (1), 106–115.
[26] Shishehbor, M., Madani, H., & Ardakani, M. (2013). Effect of vermicompost and Biofertilizers on yield and yield components of common millet (Panicum miliaceum). Annals of Biological Research, 4 (2), 174–180.
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Author Information
  • School of Biological Sciences, University of Nairobi, Nairobi, Kenya

  • School of Biological Sciences, University of Nairobi, Nairobi, Kenya

  • School of Biological Sciences, University of Nairobi, Nairobi, Kenya

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    Njunge Leah Wathira, Wachira Peter, Okoth Sheila. (2016). Enhancement of Colonisation of Soybean Roots by Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi Using Vermicompost and Biochar. Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, 5(3), 71-78. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.aff.20160503.17

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    Njunge Leah Wathira; Wachira Peter; Okoth Sheila. Enhancement of Colonisation of Soybean Roots by Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi Using Vermicompost and Biochar. Agric. For. Fish. 2016, 5(3), 71-78. doi: 10.11648/j.aff.20160503.17

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    Njunge Leah Wathira, Wachira Peter, Okoth Sheila. Enhancement of Colonisation of Soybean Roots by Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi Using Vermicompost and Biochar. Agric For Fish. 2016;5(3):71-78. doi: 10.11648/j.aff.20160503.17

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  • @article{10.11648/j.aff.20160503.17,
      author = {Njunge Leah Wathira and Wachira Peter and Okoth Sheila},
      title = {Enhancement of Colonisation of Soybean Roots by Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi Using Vermicompost and Biochar},
      journal = {Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries},
      volume = {5},
      number = {3},
      pages = {71-78},
      doi = {10.11648/j.aff.20160503.17},
      url = {https://doi.org/10.11648/j.aff.20160503.17},
      eprint = {https://download.sciencepg.com/pdf/10.11648.j.aff.20160503.17},
      abstract = {Pollution and contamination of soil is one of the major concerns in the world today. Excessive use of synthetic fertilisers has caused tremendous harm to the environment and the human population indirectly. Chemical residues accumulated in crops that find their way to into the human food chain have been found to have adverse health effects. Enrichment of lakes with runoff from heavily-fertilised farms has resulted in eutrophication and pollution of water bodies. Application of organic matter and use of mycorrhiza have been recommended as ways of mitigating these problems. The aim of the study was to investigate the effect of organic amendments on colonisation of soybean roots by arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi. The study consisted of a field experiment of seven treatments with 3 replications in a complete randomized block design. The treatments were biochar (B), vermicompost (V), mycorrhiza (M), biochar and vermicompost (BV), biochar and mycorrhiza (BM), biochar, vermicompost and mycorrhiza (BVM), mycorrhiza and vermicompost (MV), and the control block which had no amendments (NT). Before planting of soybeans and application of amendments, soil samples were collected for characterization of soil chemical properties and mycorrhizal spores. Soybean seeds were planted in each plot. At flowering time, roots were screened for percentage mycorrhizal colonisation and dry mass of plants from each plot was taken. At harvest time, soil samples, plants and harvested soybeans from each plot were collected and dry weight taken. There was mean increase of 53.38% in levels of phosphorous and 15.33% of carbon in the soil after application of amendments. Levels of nitrogen decreased in all treatment blocks. There was a significant (P<0.0000) increase in arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi spores after application of treatments. The colonization percentage of arbuscules in roots was highest (14.7%) in the bio char and vermicomposting blocks (BV) while the blocks without any treatment, NT, had the lowest colonization percentage of 1.2%. The highest dry weight of both shoots and roots were recorded in blocks treated with biochar which also had the highest weight of harvested soy bean seeds with a mean of 171.28g. Blocks treated with mycorrhiza had the lowest harvest weight of soybean seeds with a mean of 58.17g. From this study it was concluded that the organic amendments enhanced the activity of the already-present mycorrhizal fungi in the soil, without requiring the introduction of commercial mycorrhizal amendments and biochar enhances microbial activity which stimulates crop productivity.},
     year = {2016}
    }
    

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  • TY  - JOUR
    T1  - Enhancement of Colonisation of Soybean Roots by Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi Using Vermicompost and Biochar
    AU  - Njunge Leah Wathira
    AU  - Wachira Peter
    AU  - Okoth Sheila
    Y1  - 2016/06/30
    PY  - 2016
    N1  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.aff.20160503.17
    DO  - 10.11648/j.aff.20160503.17
    T2  - Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries
    JF  - Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries
    JO  - Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries
    SP  - 71
    EP  - 78
    PB  - Science Publishing Group
    SN  - 2328-5648
    UR  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.aff.20160503.17
    AB  - Pollution and contamination of soil is one of the major concerns in the world today. Excessive use of synthetic fertilisers has caused tremendous harm to the environment and the human population indirectly. Chemical residues accumulated in crops that find their way to into the human food chain have been found to have adverse health effects. Enrichment of lakes with runoff from heavily-fertilised farms has resulted in eutrophication and pollution of water bodies. Application of organic matter and use of mycorrhiza have been recommended as ways of mitigating these problems. The aim of the study was to investigate the effect of organic amendments on colonisation of soybean roots by arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi. The study consisted of a field experiment of seven treatments with 3 replications in a complete randomized block design. The treatments were biochar (B), vermicompost (V), mycorrhiza (M), biochar and vermicompost (BV), biochar and mycorrhiza (BM), biochar, vermicompost and mycorrhiza (BVM), mycorrhiza and vermicompost (MV), and the control block which had no amendments (NT). Before planting of soybeans and application of amendments, soil samples were collected for characterization of soil chemical properties and mycorrhizal spores. Soybean seeds were planted in each plot. At flowering time, roots were screened for percentage mycorrhizal colonisation and dry mass of plants from each plot was taken. At harvest time, soil samples, plants and harvested soybeans from each plot were collected and dry weight taken. There was mean increase of 53.38% in levels of phosphorous and 15.33% of carbon in the soil after application of amendments. Levels of nitrogen decreased in all treatment blocks. There was a significant (P<0.0000) increase in arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi spores after application of treatments. The colonization percentage of arbuscules in roots was highest (14.7%) in the bio char and vermicomposting blocks (BV) while the blocks without any treatment, NT, had the lowest colonization percentage of 1.2%. The highest dry weight of both shoots and roots were recorded in blocks treated with biochar which also had the highest weight of harvested soy bean seeds with a mean of 171.28g. Blocks treated with mycorrhiza had the lowest harvest weight of soybean seeds with a mean of 58.17g. From this study it was concluded that the organic amendments enhanced the activity of the already-present mycorrhizal fungi in the soil, without requiring the introduction of commercial mycorrhizal amendments and biochar enhances microbial activity which stimulates crop productivity.
    VL  - 5
    IS  - 3
    ER  - 

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