Ebtsam M. Morsy, R.S. Anwar and O.N. Massoud( 2013). Response of garlic (Allium sativum L.) to inoculation with mycorrhizal fungi and Bacillus megaterium under different phosphorus levels in newly reclaimed sandy soil Research Journal of Agriculture and Biological Sciences, 9(6): 318-329
Abstract: Two field experiments were conducted during two successive seasons of (2011 and 2012) at the experimental farm, El-Kassasein Research Station, Ismaillia Governorate, Egypt, to investigate the response of garlic plants (Allium sativum L.) to inoculation with Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) and Bacillus megaterium under different phosphorus levels; via., 25, 50, 75 and 100% of recommended dose. The combination treatment (AMF+B. megaterium) showed the highest average bulb weight (g), No. of cloves/bulb, average clove weight (g) and total yield (ton/feddan) under 100% and 75% P compared to other treatments. High contents of N, P, K and total carbohydrates were determined with combination treatment (AMF + B. megaterium) in both seasons, particularly, under phosphorus concentration of 100, 50 and 75%. 100% P + AMF treatment showed higher N% and carbohydrates contents than all other treatments in the first season. Whereas, the combination treatment was higher in nitrogen and carbohydrates contents in the second season. The combination treatment (AMF + B. megaterium) showed considerable increase in plant height at 75% P, while, No. of leaves increased at 50% P. Increasing of neck and bulb diameters (cm), bulbing ratio and total dry weight was estimated at 100% P in both seasons. AMF + B. megaterium + 25% P recorded high values of infection of AM fungi and spores number. High dehydrogenase activity and total count of B. megaterium were recorded with AMF + B. megaterium + 75 or 50% P, after 80 days of planting. Under storage conditions, the least weight loss was recorded with the combination treatment (AMF + B. megaterium) during June where the mean losses in weight percentage during the two seasons were recorded with 100 and 25% P. Whereas, during September, the least weight loss percentage recorded with AMF + B. megaterium + 50% P. The control treatment with different phosphorus levels attained pronounced fungal contamination (Sclerotium, Aspergillus, Fusarium, Pencillum and Botrytis) whereas, the least ones were identified with the treatment AMF + B. megaterium + 75 and 50% P, besides AMF + 50% P (Aspergillus spp.).
Keywords: (garlic (Allium sativum L.), inoculation, mycorrhizal fungi, Bacillus megaterium, phosphorus, newly reclaimed sandy soil )
