Effect of vesicular arbuscular mycorrhizae and phosphate-solubilizing bacteria on growth, yield and phosphorus uptake by wheat (Triticum aestivum) and chickpea (Cicer arietinum)

A field experiment was conducted during 1997-98 and 1998-99 to study the effect of vesicular arbuscular mycorrhizae (VAM) and phosphate-solubilizing bacteria (PSB) on growth, yield and phosphorus uptake by wheat (Triticum aestivum L. emend. Rod & Paol.) and chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.). Application of phosphorus did exhibit perceptible influence on yield of the crops. Both biofertilizer and phosphorus nutrition interaction showed significant influence on growth and phosphorus uptake by wheat and chickpea compared with either of the components applied separately. Among the biofertilizers, Pseudomonas striata registered the highest grain yield in both crops at both levels of phosphorus, closely followed by Glomus fasciculatum. Among the VAM fungi, Glomus fasciculatum had positive influence on yield and phosphorus uptake whereas it was lacking in Glomus macrocarpum.