Influence of host plant and rice straw as substrate on mass multiplication of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi for large-scale agricultural application

Abstract

Purpose: Rice straw is a waste product from the harvesting of Oryza sativa L. It is recurrently burned resulting in producing overheating, soil degradation, and air and water pollution. Methods: A pot experiment was designed under polyhouse conditions to evaluate the effects of rice straw as a substrate with Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench, Hordeum vulgare L. and Triticum aestivum L. as different host on mass multiplication of Glomus mosseae. Results: AM fungi multiplication was greatly influenced by the presence, concentration (0, 25, 50 or 100 g/pot) and type of substrates. Soil amendment with compost rice straw proved more suitable for AM fungal multiplication over dry substrate. Sorghum bicolor acts as a suitable host and produced the most inoculum followed by Triticum aestivum. Conclusion: Assessment of the effects of substrates and hosts on the multiplication of pure culture of AM Fungi is an important prerequisite condition for large-scale agricultural application and exploration as biofertilizers.