Skip to main content

Advertisement

Log in

Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi with different soil fertility amendment practices in agricultural landscapes of Kenyan highlands

Nutrient Cycling in Agroecosystems Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Several interrelated and site-specific agronomic factors ranging from agroecological conditions to systems management practices have been shown to variably affect arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) diversity in the soil. Also, there have been various attempts in the past to evaluate the potential of AMF field inoculation but a majority focussed on the use of exotic strains, disregarding the potential of the existing naturally occurring strains. In an attempt to address these problems, our study aimed to develop ‘best-bet practice’ based on soil fertility amendment practice (SFAP) that encourages occurrence and diversity of AMF in the soil. Control treatment (no application) was compared with three (3) SFAP used singly or in combination with AMF or two other soil nutrients enhancing organisms (Bacillus and Trichoderma) which included the following: (1) Mavuno (macro- and micronutrients and secondary nutrients) fertilizer, (2) calcium ammonium nitrate (CAN) plus triple super phosphate (TSP) and (3) cattle manure. Maize (Zea mays L.) and common bean (Phaseoli vulgaris L.) were planted at on-station and on-farm plots for two consecutive cropping seasons with the experiment replicated in two benchmark sites of Embu and Taita-Taveta Districts. Embu site recorded a lower soil pH and also very low phosphorus levels compared to Taita site. The number of AMF spores per kg of soil was very low, ranging from 30 to 100, at Embu in the first season and application of SFAP resulted in no significant difference. However, in the second season, use of Trichoderma + CAN plus TSP was shown to significantly stimulate AMF species in the soil, with a 250 % increase in species density compared to use of Bacillus + Manure. At Taita, after the first cropping season, significant change in spore density was only recorded from AMF applied singly with a 66.1 % increase in spore density compared to Control treatment. In comparison, after the second cropping season, use of AMF applied singly, AMF + CAN plus TSP and AMF + Manure increased spore density by 135.4, 109.6 and 100 % respectively compared to Control treatment. Use of AMF applied singly increased species density in the soil by 100 and 81.1 % compared to CAN plus TSP and Trichoderma treatments respectively after first season at Taita site: while after the second cropping season, application of AMF + CAN plus TSP, AMF + Manure and AMF + Mavuno increased AMF species density in the soil by 60.3, 51.5 and 55.9 % respectively compared to Control treatment. These findings provide evidence that it is possible to increase the number of AMF spores in the soil through inoculation with native species and also possibly stimulate dormant species through other SFAP treatments.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Alloush GA, Clark RB (2001) Maize response to phosphate rock and arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi in acidic soil. Commun Soil Sci Plant Anal 32:231–254

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Anderson JM, Ingram JS (1993) Tropical soil biology and fertility: a handbook of methods of analysis. CAB International, Wallingford

    Google Scholar 

  • Cardoso IM, Kuyper TW (2006) Mycorrhizas and tropical soil fertility. Agric Ecosyst Environ 116:72–84

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Douds DD Jr, Nagahashi G, Reider C, Hepperly PR (2007) Inoculation with arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi increases the yield of potatoes in a high P soil. Biol Agric Hortic 25:67–78

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Gianinazzi S, Gollotte A, BinetM-N Tuinen D, Redecker D, Wipf D (2010) Agroecology: the key role of arbuscular mycorrhizas in ecosystem services. Mycorrhiza 20:519–530

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Gosling P, Hodge A, Goodlass G, Bending GD (2006) Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi and organic farming. Agric Ecosyst Environ 113:17–35

  • Gosling P, Ozaki A, Jones J, Turner M, Rayns F, Bending GD (2010) Organic management of tilled agricultural soils results in a rapid increase in colonisation potential and spore populations of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi. Agric Ecosyst Environ 139:273–279

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Grant C, Bittman S, Montreal M, Plenchette C, Morel C (2005) Soil and fertilizer phosphorus: effects on plant P supply and mycorrhizal development. Can J Plant Sci 85:3–14

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Grigera MS, Drijber RA, Wienhold BJ (2006) Mycorrhizae: a benefit to high-yielding maize cropping systems? In: ‘Ground-breaking stuff’: proceedings of the 13th Australian agronomy conference, Australian Society of Agronomy, Perth, 10–14 Sept 2006

  • Helgason T, Daniell TJ, Husband R, Fitter AH, Young JPW (1998) Ploughing up the wood-wide web? Nature 394:431

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Howeler RH, Sieverding E, Saif S (1987) Practical aspects of mycorrhizal technology in some tropical crops and pastures. Plant Soil 100:249–283

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • IBM Corp. Released 2013. IBM SPSS statistics for windows, version 22.0. IBM Corp, Armonk, NY

  • Izaguirre-Mayoral ML, Carballo O, Carreno L, de Mejia MG (2000) Effects of arbuscular mycorrhizal inoculation on growth, yield, nitrogen, and phosphorus nutrition of nodulating bean varieties in two soil substrates of contrasting fertility. J Plant Nutr 23:1117–1133

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Jefwa JM, Mungatu J, Okoth P, Muya E, Roimen H, Njuguini S (2009) Influence of landuse types on the occurrence of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi in the high altitude regions of Mt. Kenya. Trop Subtrop Agroecosyst. 11:277–290

    Google Scholar 

  • Jenkins WR (1964) A rapid centrifugal-floatation technique for separating nematodes from soil. Plant Dis Rep 48:69

  • Johansson J, Paul LR, Finlay RD (2004) Microbial interactions in the mycorrhizosphere and their significance for sustainable agriculture. FEMS Microbiol Ecol 48:1–13

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Joner EJ (2000) The effect of long-term fertilization with organic or inorganic fertilizers on mycorrhiza-mediated phosphorus uptake in subterranean clover. Biol Fertil Soil 32:435–440

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Jumpponen A, Trowbridge J, Mandyam K, Johnson L (2005) Nitrogen enrichment causes minimal changes in arbuscular mycorrhizal colonisation but shifts community composition—evidence from rDNA data. Biol Fertil Soil 41:217–224

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Kahiluoto H, Ketoja E, Vestberg M, Saarela I (2001) Promotion of AM utilization through reduced P fertilization. 2. Field studies. Plant Soil 231:65–79

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Karunasinghe TG, Fernando WC, Jayasekera LR (2009) The effect of poultry manure and inorganic fertilizer on the arbuscular mycorrhiza in coconut. J Natl Sci Found Sri Lanka 37:277–279

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Klironomos JN (2003) Variation in plant response to native and exotic arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi. Ecology 84:2292–2301

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lekberg Y, Koide RT (2005) Is plant performance limited by abundance of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi? A meta-analysis of studies published between 1988 and 2003. New Phytol 168:189–204

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Linderman RG, Davis EA (2004) Evaluation of commercial inorganic and organic fertilizer effects on arbuscular mycorrhizae formed by Glomus intraradices. Hortic Technol 14:196–202

    Google Scholar 

  • Liu A, Hamel C, Hamilton RI, Ma BL, Smith DL (2000) Acquisition of Cu, Zn, Mn and Fe by mycorrhizal maize (Zea mays L.) grown in soil at different P and micronutrient levels. Mycorrhiza 9:331–336

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Mäder P, Edenhofer S, Boller T, Wiemken A, Niggli U (2000) Arbuscular mycorrhizae in long-term field trial comparing low-input (organic, biological) and high input (conventional) farming systems in crop rotation. Biol Fertil Soils 31:150–156

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Menéndez AB, Scervino JM, Godeas AM (2001) Arbucular mycorrhizal populations associated with natural and cultivated vegetation on a site of Buenos Aires province, Argentina. Biol Fertil Soils 33:373–381

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Mohammad A, Mitra B, Khan AG (2004) Effects of sheared-root inoculums of Glomus intraradices on wheat grown at different phosphorus levels in the field. Agric Ecosyst Environ 103:245–249

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Moreira FMS, Huising EJ, Bignell DE (2008) A handbook of tropical soil biology: Sampling and characterization of below-ground biodiversity. Earthscan, London, 212 p

  • Morton JB (1988) Taxonomy of VA mycorrhizal fungi: classification, nomenclature and identification. Mycotaxon 80:520–524

    Google Scholar 

  • Munro RC, Wilson J, Jefwa J, Mbuthia KW (1999) A low-cost method of mycorrhizal inoculation improves growth of Acacia tortilis in the nursery. For Ecol Manag 113:51–56

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Muya EM, Karanja N, Okoth PFZ, Roimen H, Munga’tu J, Mutsotso B, Thuranira G (2009) Comparative description of land use and characteristics of belowground biodiversity benchmark sites in Kenya. Trop Subtrop Agroecosyst 11:263–275

    Google Scholar 

  • Nelson DW, Somers JSL (1982) Total organic carbon and organic matter. In: Page AL, Miller RH, Keeney DR (eds) Methods of soil analysis part 2, 2nd edn. American Society of Agronomy, Madison

    Google Scholar 

  • Njeru EM, Avio L, Sbrana C, Turrini A, Bocci G, Bàrberi P, Giovannetti M (2014) First evidence for a major cover crop effect on arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi and organic maize growth. Agron Sustain Dev 34(841):848

    Google Scholar 

  • Nyaga J, Jefwa JM, Muthuri CW, Okoth SA, Matiru VN, Wachira P (2014) Influence of soil fertility amendment practices on ex-situ utilization of indigenous arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi and performance of maize and common bean in Kenyan highlands. Trop Subtrop Agroecosyst 17:129–141

    Google Scholar 

  • 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. Appl Environ Microbiol 69:2816–2824

    Article  PubMed Central  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Oehl F, Sieverding E, Mäder P, Dubois D, Ineichen K, Boller T, Wiemken A (2004) Impact of long-term conventional and organic farming on the diversity of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi. Oecologia 138:574–583

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Page AL, Miller RH, Keeney DR (1982) Methods of soil analysis. Part 2. Chemical and microbial properties. Agronomy Series, No. 9 (Part 2). Am. Soc. Agric and Soil Sci. Soc. Am., Madison Wisconsin USA

  • Palm CA, Gachengo CN, Delve RJ, Cadisch G, Giller KE (2001) Organic inputs for soil fertility management in tropical agroecosystems: application of an organic resource database. Agric Ecosyst Environ 83:27–42

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Picone C (2002) Managing mycorrhizae for sustainable agriculture in the tropics. In: Vandermeer JH (ed) Tropical agroecosystems. CRC Press, Boca Raton, pp 95–132

    Google Scholar 

  • Redecker D, Schüßler A, Stockinger H, Stürmer S, Morton J, Walker C (2013) An evidence-based consensus for the classification of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (Glomeromycota). Mycorrhiza. doi:10.1007/s00572-013-0486-y

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Ryan MH, Chilvers GA, Dumaresq DC (1994) Colonization of wheat by VA-mycorrhizal fungi was found to be higher on a farm managed in an organic manner than on a conventional neighbor. Plant Soil 160:33–40

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sanchez PA (2002) Soil fertility and hunger in Africa. Science 295:2019–2020

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Sanginga N, Woomer PL (eds) (2009) Integrated soil fertility management in Africa: principles, practices and developmental process. Tropical Soil Biology and Fertility Institute of the International Centre for Tropical Agriculture, Nairobi

    Google Scholar 

  • Sawers RJH, Gutjahr C, Paszkowski U (2008) Cereal mycorrhiza: an ancient symbiosis in modern agriculture. Trends Plant Sci 13:93–97

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Schussler A, Schwarzott D, Walker C (2001) A new fungal phylum, the Glomeromycota: phylogeny and evolution. Mycol Res 105:1413–1421

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Smith SE, Read DJ (1997) Mycorrhizal symbiosis, 2nd edn. Academic Press, London

    Google Scholar 

  • Treseder KK, Allen MF (2002) Direct nitrogen and phosphorus limitation of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi, a model and field test. New Phytol 155:507–515

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Vanlauwe B, Giller KE (2006) Popular myths around soil fertility management in sub-Saharan Africa. Agric Ecosyst Environ 116:34–46

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Vanlauwe B, Bationo A, Chianu J, Giller KE, Mercks R, Mokwunye U, Ohiokpehai O, Pypers P, Tabo R, Shepherd K, Smaling E, Woomer PL, Sanginga N (2010) Integrated soil fertility management: operational definition and consequences for implementation and dissemination. Outlook Agric 39:17–24

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgments

We would like to thank Global Environment Facility (GEF) and United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) for providing financial support, Tropical Soil Biology and Fertility- Institute of International Centre for Tropical Agriculture (TSBF-CIAT) for coordinating and planning of all the activities undertaken in this study. We appreciate other partners in this collaborative project including Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (JKUAT), University of Nairobi and National Museums of Kenya for supervision and facilitating the implementation of research activities. The publication development was also supported by funding from the Swedish Ministry for Foreign Affairs as part of its special allocation on global food security and ICRAF as a part of Forest Trees and Agroforestry (CRP6.1). Helpful comments provided by two anonymous reviewers improved the paper and are highly appreciated. We are also grateful for assistance of Agnes (Taita) and Munyi (Embu) in data collection. The authors wish to thank Mr. Julius Kanyari who assisted in proof-reading of the manuscript.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Corresponding author

Correspondence to John Nyaga.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Nyaga, J., Jefwa, J.M., Muthuri, C.W. et al. Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi with different soil fertility amendment practices in agricultural landscapes of Kenyan highlands. Nutr Cycl Agroecosyst 103, 229–240 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10705-015-9744-z

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10705-015-9744-z

Keywords

Navigation