Effect of Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungal Inoculation and Biochar Amendment on Growth and Yield of Tomato

A field study was conducted to investigate the interactive effects of pre-inoculation of G. mosseae and soil amendment with biochar on AMP root colonisation, plant growth, fruit yield and nutrient uptake of tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.). A 2 x 2 factorial experiment arranged in a randomised complete block design included two G. mosseae treatments (inoculated at sowing or uninoculated) and two biochar levels (5 t ha(-1) or unamended) with six replications. At mid-season, 12 weeks after transplanting, biochar addition did not increase the percentage of AMP root colonisation on tomato plants. Pre-inoculation with G. mosseae increased dry shoot weight and total plant weight by 11 and 9% respectively, whereas biochar amendment decreased dry root weight by 13%. Generally, pre-inoculation with G. mosseae and biochar did not affect leaf Ca, B, Cu, Mn, Na or Zn but lowered leaf P by 26% when compared to the uninoculated plants. Pre-inoculation with AMP and biochar addition did not affect tomato growth variables, yield or yield components. Results of this study did not demonstrate any benefit of combined application of AMF and biochar on the overall performance of tomato plants. (C) 2012 Friends Science Publishers