Effect of Mycorrhiza Fungal Inoculation on Soil Structure and Corn (Zea mays L.) Root Development in Saline Soils

Abstract

This study was carried out to evaluate inoculation efficiency of different kinds of Mycorrhizae fungi on improving soil structure and the growth root of Zea mays L. plants. The study which included test and propagate Mycorrhizal isolation (Glomus mosseae and Glomus sp.) obtained from Agricultural Research Office, Ministry of Science and Technology, using sandy loam soil, brought from Al-Zubair Region, and then autoclaved and inoculation Mycorrhizae and seeds of Triticum aestivum L. cv. Ebaa. The second experiment included testing soil samples from Al-Qurna region, north of Basrah Governorate 0-30 cm depth soil were collected randomly. The soil was saline from 5 ds m-1. to reach the saline levels of 10 and 20 ds m-1.through washing with a balanced mixture of 4 chemicals (MgSO4 , CaSO4.2H2O, NaCl and CaCl2.2H2O). The plastic pots were filled with 5 Kg pot-1 soil inoculated with isolated fungi, each fungi alone, and with both fungus as infected treatments and also control treatment (without inoculation). Experimental unites were supplied with chemical fertilizers as recommended to Zea mays L. plants, with the exception of phosphorus being added with three concentrations (0,60,120)Kg p ha-1. 10 sterilized seeds of Zea mays L. inoculation which pots were watered up to 75% of its water holding capacity. After 90 days of germination, Determination were made on some growth parameters, such as, mean weight diameter, percentage of root infection. Results showed significant increases recorded, for inoculation by Mycorrhizae G. mosseae, Glomus sp and mixture, Mean weight diameter ,percentage of root infection. As compared with control treatment .Results also showed that the fungi G. mosseae was significantly better than that of fungi Glomus spp. and also that of a mixture of both fungi. Results of phosphorus fertilizer revealed significant increases in all the studied characters as a result of treatment with 60 kg p ha -1. The interference between inoculation and fertilization had significant increases in all the studied characters, in particular, the combination of inoculation by G. mosseae fungi and 60 kg p ha-1. Saline treatment at 10 ds m-1. Recorded significant increases in all the studied characters. The interference between inoculation and salinity increased the studied characters significantly, in particular, treatment inoculated with G. mosseae fungi and saline concentration at 10 ds m-1.