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Effect of seed inoculation, mycorrhizal infection and organic amendment on wheat growth

  • Nitrogen Fixation by non-legumes in Agriculture
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Summary

The effect of seed inoculation withAzotobacter spp. orAzospirillum spp., and garbage amendment (0.5%), on the growth of wheat was studied in a field experiment under sub-tropical conditions. Two levels of N fertilizer were applied, the usual field rate (150 kg N ha−1) and half this amount. Tillering of plants, dry matter contents and nitrogenase activity were determined 30, 60 and 90 days after sowing. At the end of the experimental period, spore numbers and percentage of mycorrhizal infection were observed in the rhizosphere and root systems of plants. Straw and grain yields were also determined. The results of this study showed that seed inoculation and/or organic amendment stimulated plant growth, nitrogenase activity and mycorrhizal infection. This was more noticeable withAzotobacter than withAzospirillum. Inoculation withAzotobacter together with 1/2 N dose and organic amendment was the most effective application (19.75 and 10.70 t ha−1 were recorded for straw and grain yield, respectively).

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Ishac, Y.Z., El-Haddad, M.E., Daft, M.J. et al. Effect of seed inoculation, mycorrhizal infection and organic amendment on wheat growth. Plant Soil 90, 373–382 (1986). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02277409

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