Mycorrhizal association with traditional minor millets, and their exploitation for sustainable agriculture in upland

Extensive survey of crop-fields of Ragi and Kodo millets in Bhagalpur and Santhal Pargana. division was conducted for VAM association with Eleusine coracana and Paspalum scrobiculatum and their effect on plant growth performance was evaluated. Spore population was found to vary from 8-20 spores in one gram dry, soil and 65-100% toot colonization were recorded in case of E. coracana, whereas 1-7 spores per gram dry soil with 75-100% root infection was observed in P. scrobiculatum. Altogether eighteen species belonging to five genera viz. Glomus, Gigaspora, Acaulospora, Sclerocystis and Scutellospora were found in association with these plants. Glomus was the most dominant VAM flora. Pot experiments showed significant increase in growth, biomass and grain yield of VAM inoculated plants over control.