Screening and selection of efficient host and sugarcane bagasse as substrate for mass multiplication ofFunneliformis mosseae

Abstract

This investigation reports a novel and low-cost method of inoculum production of arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungus, Funneliformis mosseae (sensu Glomus mosseae), using an organic medium. The experiment is a 3 × 3 × 4 factorial design employing three hosts, maize (Zea mays L.), lemon grass (Cymbopogon nardus (L.) Rendle) and palmarosa (Cymbopogan martini (Roxb.) Wats.), three forms of sugarcane bagasse substrate (fresh, dry and compost) and four different concentrations of each substrate (without substrate, 25, 50 and 100 g pot^− 1). Mass multiplication of F. mosseae was measured in terms of AM spore number and per cent root colonization. The plant growth was monitored in terms of plant height, above-ground fresh and dry weights and root fresh and dry weights. All three grasses tested varied in their tendency to be colonized by F. mosseae and in spore formation. Maize was found to be the most appropriate host followed by lemon grass and palmarosa. In the case of maize, a positive relationship was observed between spore number and root colonization rate and compost bagasse with highest concentration, 100 g, resulted in the greatest multiplication of F. mosseae. Maize with 100 g compost bagasse, lemon grass with 25 g of dry and 50 g of compost bagasse and palmarosa with 100 g compost and fresh bagasse showed greatest increase in plant growth.