Effects of arbuscular mycorrhizal inoculation on the growth and the development of sesame (Sesamum indicum L.)

Sesame (Sesamum indicum L) has recently been introduced into cropping system in Senegal in the context of crop diversification and poverty alleviation. A pot experiment was conducted to study the response of sesame plants to arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) inoculation. The experiment was carried out in greenhouse in a complete randomized block with two factors, the variety on 3 levels (32-15, Jaalgon 128 and 38-1-7) and the inoculation on 4 levels of Glomus spp isolates. The results indicate that inoculation with mycorrhizal fungi significantly increases leaf number and leaf area of Sesamum. The leaf area increased by 136% at the plants inoculated with Glomus fasciculatum and number of leaves by 70% at the plants inoculated with Glomus mosseae. Moreover, inoculation improved the root system by increasing volume and dry weight of roots. The isolate Glomus intraradices increased root volume of Jaalgon 128 by 233%. At the 32-15 associated Glomus mosseae one recorded an increase of 115%.