Field response of groundnut Arachis hypogaea L. inoculated with vermicompost and Arbuscular mycorrizhal fungi

The purpo se of this research was investigate the use of vermicompost(VC) and AMF (Arbuscular mycorrizhal fungi) species(Gloumas intraradices) on the field response of groundnut (Arachis hypogeaea L.). Field experiments were carried out at Agricultural Land, Vadakkumangudi, located within 4 km from the Annamalai University, Tamil Nadu. The studies were conducted during January 2009 to May 2009. The incorporation of vermicompost and AM fungi up to 5 tonnes ha -1 VC + AMF inoculation enhanced shoot length, root length, leaf area, fresh weight, dry weight, number of root nodules and pigment content such as chlorophyll „a‟, chlorophyll „b‟, total chlorophyll and cortinoid content when compared to control and other treatments. Some of the growth enhancement in these vermicompost to be related to the combined effects of improved porosity, aeration, water holding capacity and uptake of nitrogen by the plant resulting in increased plant growth. The AM fungi increased photosynthetic rates, altered growth regulating substances and altered patterns of the root exudation due to changes in the membrane permeability, nutrient and water uptake. Therefore, it seems likely that the vermicompost and AM fungi provide other biological