Field Evaluation of Phosphatase and Phytase Producing Fungi under Clusterbean and Pearl Millet in arid Ecosystems

Author: Amita Gharu Dhariwal, Indira Rathore and J.C. Tarafdar

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Abstract

Four effective phosphatase and phytase-producing fungi, Aspergillus candidus, Aspergillus ustus, Curvularia lunata, and Phoma species, were selected for their native P mobilisation under field conditions, using clusterbean and pearl millet as test crops. The main aim was to increase agro ecosystem productivity and get rid of the negative effects of chemical fertilizers. The inoculation of selected fungi resulted in a significant enhancement in the grain yield (16–28%), plant biomass (10–57%), straw yield (19–38%), and plant P absorption (2–10%) in clusterbean. There was between 6 and 61 % more in acid phosphatase activity, between 9 and 66 % higher in alkaline phosphatase activity and between 13 and 50 % additional phytase activity under inoculated plots of clusterbean as compared to the uninoculated (control) plots. Due to increased phosphatase and phytase enzyme activity of inoculated fungi, pearl millet saw improvements in grain yield, plant biomass, straw yield, and plant P uptake of 12–24%, 2–54%, 18–40%, and 3-12%, respectively. In pearl millet, 10-48%, 10-49%, and 6-47% improvement in acid phosphatase, alkaline phosphatase and phytase were recorded, respectively, at different growth periods compared to control. Among the four fungus examined, Phoma species was found to be the best P mobilizers, both under pearl millet and clusterbean. Irrespective of fungi and crops, P mobilisation from mineral sources was often higher than that from organic and phytin sources. Overall 40 to 85% more microbial than plant involvement was seen in the mobilisation of various P components. In general, 10.6-21.3% more mineral P and 11.5-19.2% more phytin P was hydrolyzed in clusterbean compared to pearl millet. Selected fungi are especially important for crop sustainability because they are effective under low phosphorus availability and when nutrients are bonded to organic matter and soil particles.

Keywords

Field assessment, Clusterbean, Pearl millet, Arid ecosystems. P mobilising fungi

Conclusion

The present result clearly demonstrated the importance of efficient phosphatases and phytase producing fungi for growth, biomass, yield and P nutrition of two most important arid crops namely pearl millet (cereal) and clusterbean (legume) under harsh arid environment. The results also pointed out how the P inflow as well as plant and microbial contribution to acquire P changes in different growth stages under field condition. The contribution from different P fractions for plant nourishment was also distinctly demonstrated. The results also emphasises the importance of plant growth promoting fungi for global food production.

References

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How to cite this article

Amita Gharu Dhariwal, Indira Rathore and J.C. Tarafdar (2023). Field Evaluation of Phosphatase and Phytase Producing Fungi under Clusterbean and Pearl Millet in arid Ecosystems. Biological Forum – An International Journal, 15(5): 1466-1481.