Effect of Fertilizer on Sporulation and Root Colonization of Mycorrhizal Fungi Associated with Tea Plants

Author: Kaushal Kishore Choudhary, Chitra Sharma and Rajan Kumar Gupta

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Abstract

Continuous application of synthetic fertilizer has shown undesirable effect on tea quality as well as reduction in beneficial microbial composition of the soil responsible for sustainable soil productivity. This study has been proposed to analyze the effect of different concentrations of nitrogen (20, 40 and 60 kg N per 1000 m2), phosphorus (5, 10 and 15 kg P per 1000 m2) and potassium (25, 50 and 100 kg K per 1000 m2) fertilizer on sporulation and percent root colonization (PRC) of Arbuscular Mycorrhizal (AM) fungi in the tea-planted soil. Enumeration of sporulation and PRC was performed by collecting rhizospheric soils during the month of March, June, September and December. Study suggested the maximum sporulation and PRC with tea-planted rhizospheric soils fertilized with 40 kg of N, 10 kg of P and 75 kg of K fertilizer. However, doses of 60, 15 and 100 kg of N, P and K respectively showed reduced sporulation and PRC indicating the negative impact of higher doses of fertilizer. Seasonal evaluation showed that sporulation was prominent during the month of December and March whereas optimum percent root colonization was obtained for the month of June and September. Study concluded that colonization of AM fungi under field condition is the function of climatic condition and nutrient status of the soil. Further, this study clearly suggests that quality of the tea and beneficial bacteria composition particularly AM fungi can be maintained by limiting the application of chemical NPK fertilizer under field condition.

Keywords

AM Fungi, NPK Fertilizer, Sporulation, Root colonization, Tea plants

Conclusion

Study concludes that the season (time) and concentration (fertilizers) is crucial factor in establishing AM fungi to get maximum benefit for proper host plants under field condition. Under similar growth condition and host, no significant variation in AM population can be achieved. Moreover, study reflected that higher fertilizer level might reduce the AM population under field condition. Finally, it might be concluded that indigenous AM fungi can be effectively introduced as bioinoculant with lower fertilizer level for sustainable agriculture practices and for a rehabilitation of an overburdened soil with reduced fertilizers.

References

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How to cite this article

Kaushal Kishore Choudhary, Chitra Sharma and Rajan Kumar Gupta (2023). Effect of Fertilizer on Sporulation and Root Colonization of Mycorrhizal Fungi Associated with Tea Plants. Biological Forum – An International Journal, 15(4): 197-201.