W.A.G.A.B. Chandrasena . C.M. Nanayakkara . H.A. Sumanasena

Department of Plant Sciences, University of Colombo, Sri Lanka, Email: aruni.chandrasena1@gmail.com, Department of Plant Sciences, University of Colombo, Sri Lanka Email: chandi@pts.cmb.ac.lk, School of Agriculture and Environment, Massey University, New Zealand Email: H.Sumanasena@massey.ac.nz

Received in final form on March 28, 2022

Abstract
Many plant species benefit by forming symbiotic associations with arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi(AM). They are known to enhance plant growth, photosynthetic activity, and phosphorus content, act antagonistically toward soilborne plant pathogens and modify the concentration of plant metabolites. Consequently, the uptake of N, P, and K are also enhanced significantly by AM inoculation. Therefore, mycorrhizae have been developed as biofertilizers in many countries. Hence, it is a timely action to evaluate the potential of local mycorrhizae as plant growth enhancers. A mass propagation method was developed to evaluate the native Glomus sp. as a biofertilizer for Pepper cultivation. Finger millet, maize, and sorghum have been employed as host crops, and root colonization was detected by (i) observing the presence of the fungus within root tissue (ii) counting the AM spores in root-associated soil after twelve weeks post-inoculation. Sorghum and finger millet were both identified as suitable host crops. Effective spore density for successful colonization of pepper-rooted cuttings was determined in a pot experiment. The spore density levels tested were: T1 (400), T2 (800), T3 (1200), and T4 (1600) spores per 800 g of the standard potting mixture. Pepper variety Panniyur-1 was used with 5 replicates. After 12, 20, and 28 weeks of post-inoculation, root pieces were microscopically examined for fungal colonization. The cuttings inoculated with 800 spores per 800 g potting mixture were found to be the most effective spore density for pepper inoculation.

Keywords
Arbuscular Mycorrhiza, Host crop, Spore density, Glomus and Pepper

Cite This Article
W.A.G.A.B. Chandrasena . C.M. Nanayakkara . H.A. Sumanasena, Investigating the Potential of a Native Glomus sp. as a Bio-fertilizer, J. Innovation Sciences and Sustainable Technologies, 2(3)(2022), 107-117. https://doie.org/10.0725/JISST.2022221721

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