Influences of Potassium Chloride Fertilization on Mycorrhizal Formation in a Tropical Alfisol |
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| Authors: | Chandra Gandhi Kannan Priyadharsini Perumalsamy |
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| Institution: | Root and Soil Biology Laboratory, Department of Botany, Bharathiar University, Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu, India |
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| Abstract: | This study examines the influence of different amounts of potassium chloride (KCl) fertilization on plant growth, nutrient accumulation and content, nutrient ratios, and root colonization by indigenous arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi in maize (Zea mays L.). KCl was applied at the rate of 0, 0.25, 0.50, 1.00, 1.50, and 1.75 mg/kg of soil. Effect of KCl on indigenous AM formation and function was evaluated in terms of the extent of root length colonization, plant growth, and nutrient uptake. Increasing concentration of KCl fertilization proportionately limited the total root length colonized by AM fungi as well as the root length with different AM fungal structures. Maize plants raised on soils amended with different concentrations of KCl were significantly taller than those raised on unamended soils. KCl application also significantly increased the total root length and root dry weight. Nevertheless, KCl fertilization did not significantly alter the root/shoot ratios. Higher concentrations of nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and potassium (K) were evident in shoot and root tissues of maize (except shoot N) raised on KCl-amended soils. Phosphorus concentrations in shoots and roots significantly influenced mycorrhization and root length colonized by different AM fungal structures, and such an effect was evident for root N. KCl fertilization increased the efficiency of N and P accumulation. No significant change was evident in the K:N ratios of shoots or roots, whereas the K:P ratios were significantly altered in shoots or roots in response to KCl application. |
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| Keywords: | Arbuscular mycorrhiza arbuscules colonization Glomus maize nutrient ratios specific absorption rate |
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