Effect of Different Levels of Mycorrhization on the Growth Parameters and Nutrient Content of Chilli

Aim: To evaluate the effect of different levels of Glomus mosseae on plant growth parameters chlorophyll content, mycorrhizal colonization (%), sporocarp number and nutrient content of chilli.

Study Design: The experiment was conducted using a complete randomized design (CRD).

Study Area: To study the mycorrhizal effect on the chilli plants, observations were documented in Sceenhouse and laboratory conditions. Plant Pathology Laboratory, CCS HAU, Hisar was use for the laboratory work. The experiment was undertaken during crop season 2018

Methodology: Mycorrhizal fungi was raised and maintained on wheat and pearl millet in earthen pots. Further experiment was conducted and Plant height, Root length, Dry weight of root and shoot, Mycorrhizal colonization, Sporocarp number, SPAD chlorophyll content and NPK content was observed.

Results: Mycorrhiza is a symbiotic association between a fungus and the root system of vascular plants. Mycorrhizal associations help the host plants to thrive in adverse soil conditions and drought situations by increasing the root surface area and nutrient uptake efficiency. In the present study Glomus mosseae was tested on chilli plant with different inoculum levels (100, 150, 200 and 400 chlamydospores/kg soil) and found that Plant height, Root length, Dry weight of root and shoot, SPAD chlorophyll content, per cent mycorrhizal colonization and sporocarp number were maximum when 400 spores were used for inoculation and minimum were found in untreated plants. Among all the four observation period i.e. 30, 45, 60 and 90 days after transplanting maximum NPK content was observed at 90 days after transplanting.

Conclusion: Among All the inoculum levels (100, 150, 200 and 400 chlamydospores/kg soil) maximum plant growth parameters, NPK content and chlorophyll content was observed when 400 chlamydospores/kg soil were used.