Effect of Vesicular Arbuscular Mycorridzae on the Growth and Mineral Nutrition of Teak (<I>Tectona grandis</I> Linn. F.)

Abstract

The effect ofVAM Fungi (Glomus fasciculatum and Glomus mosseae) on initial establishment and mineral nurition of Teak was studied. The uptake of various macro-nutrients, (N,P, K) and micronutrients (Cu, Zn, Fe, Mn) studied along with various growth parameters. G. mosseae + G. fasciculatum treated plants which registered greater growth, also showed an increase in the concentrations of Phosphate, K and Mn, while N, Cu, Zn, Fe concentrations decreased in the shoots. The plants to which G. fasciculatum in combination with a small amount of rock phosphate was given was the next best treatment followed by G. fascicualatum alone treated plants. G. mosseae + G. fasciculatum + Phosphate treatment proved to be deleterious to the growth of the teak plants. The possible role of V AM on the growth of Teak is discussed keeping in view the specificity of host-symbiont relationship.