Impact of soil sterilization and irrigation intervals on P and K acquisition by mycorrhizal onion (Allium cepa)

Drought is a world-spread problem seriously influencing crop production. Arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) association and soil microorganisms can help plant growth under water stress condition by improvement of its nutrient and water uptake. In this experiment, onion plants (Allium cepa L. cv. Red Azar Shahr) were inoculated with three AM fungi species (Glomus versiforme, G. intraradices, G. etunicatum) or left un-inoculated as non-mycorrhizal plants, in a sterile or non-sterile sandy loam soil. Plants were irrigated at 7, 9 or 11-day intervals to keep the soil moisture content to field capacity at the irrigation time. Mycorrhizal root colonization decreased (p < 0.05) with an increase in irrigation interval, and the highest root colonization was achieved at 7-day irrigated onions in symbiosis with G. versiforme. Phosphorus content in plant tissue was significantly increased in mycorrhizal than non-mycorrhizal onions. Plants inoculated with G. versiforme at 9-day interval treatment had the highest leaf P content, while the lowest P was observed in non-mycorrhizal plants at all irrigation intervals. Onions inoculated by G. versiforme or G. etunicatum at 9-day irrigation interval had the highest K content. Results revealed that the inoculation of onion plant with G. versiforme or G. etunicatum and increasing irrigation interval up to 9 days, could improve P and K uptake.