Impact of Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi Inoculation on Phosphate Fertilization Efficiency and Productivity of Teff in Field Conditions

Abstract

However, most agricultural soils do not have enough available P for plant roots to absorb. Thus, the purpose of this study was to determine how inoculation with Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi (AMF) and phosphate fertilization interact and affect Teff growth and production. The administration of varied phosphate concentrations during crop planting was done in split plots using a randomized complete block design, and all treatments except the control received AMF crude inoculants. The findings revealed that the use of AMF
inoculants and varied phosphorus rates had a significant impact on Teff dry matter yield, yield components, and all growth indices. In comparison to the control and the red and mixed tef, the applications of AMF+50%P, AMF+75%P, and AMF+100% for white Teff yielded the highest Teff grain yield (10550 kg ha-1). Teff reaps significant benefits when it is red at AMF+50%P, mixed at AMF+100%P, and white at AMF+100%P. Mixed variety showed the highest mycorrhizal dependence (44%). The greatest phosphorus utilization efficiency (PuE) was consistently reported in the AMF+25%P treatments. The white cultivar had a higher harvest index (2.63). Furthermore, with increased P treatment, both spore density and root length colonization decrease steadily. All findings show that raising P levels reduces AMF colonization and spore density, while boosting biomass yield in some cases. In summary, more research integrating contemporary agricultural practices with traditional local ways is needed to acquire a better understanding of the use of AMF in Teff cultivation and P fertilizer application.