Effect of Phosphorus, Nitrogen and Some Cultural Practices on Mycorrhizal Colonization of Faba Bean and Maize

A set of field experiments was conducted to study the effect of phosphorus and nitrogen fertilizers on mycorrhizal colonization of faba bean and maize plants. In addition, the effect of irrigation and ploughing treatments on spore numbers were assessed in fallow soil. The identification of mycorrhizal fungi was also conducted. The results showed that mycorrhizal colonization was reduced by the addition of phosphorus and nitrogen fertilizers. Number of spores and mycorrhizal colonization were also affected by plant species and management practices. In this respect, the number of spores was greater in maize compared to faba bean rhizoshere and the highest spore numbers were found in unploughed non irrigated fallow land. Under all treatments, the identified fungi belonged to the genus Glomus suggesting that VAM species can be considered as universal biofertilizer due to their broad host range.