Effect of trichoderma harzianum and arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi on growth in tomato (lycopersicum esculentum mill) seedlings, napier (pennisetum purpureum l) and tea (camellia sinensis l)cuttings
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Date
2009
Authors
Mwangi, Margaret
Monda, E. O.
Okoth, Sheila
Jefwa, Joyce
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Abstract
A green-house study was conducted to investigate the
ability of an isolate of Trichoderma harzianum (P52)
and arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) in enhancing
growth in tomato seedlings, tea and napier grass
cuttings. The effect of these bio-inoculants on growth
was compared with the influence of Diammonium
phosphate (DAP) fertilizer and the interactions of
these three factors (P52, AMF and DAP). The plants
were grown in plastic pots filled with sterilized soils.
A completely randomized design was used and growth
measurements taken on height shoot and root dry
weights. It was observed that isolate P52 and DAP
fertilizer individually enhanced growth in tomatoes,
tea and napier while AMF only enhanced growth in
tomatoes. Combinations of P52 and DAP; P52, AMF
and DAP enhanced growth significantly (P<0.05).
Trichoderma harzianum and AMF showed potential
for use as biofertilizers to reduce on chemical inputs in
the perspective of sustainable agriculture and
conservation of natural resources.
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Keywords
Arbuscular mycorrhizal Fungi (AMF), Trichoderma harzianum (P52), Diammonium Phosphate (DAP), Enhanced growth, Inoculation
Citation
Tropical and Subtropical Agroecosystems, 11 (2009): 423 - 429