Effects of Mycorrhizae as a Substitute for Inorganic Fertilizer on Growth and Yield of Tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum), and Soil Microbial Activity

Abstract

A Greenhouse experiment was conducted to determine the influence of mycorrhizae as a substitute for inorganic fertilizer on growth and yield of Tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum) and soil microbial activity. Four doses of inorganic fertilizer [recommended dose (Urea:TSP:M OP=65:325:65kg/ha), 1/2 and 1/4 recommended dose and 0} were applied to soil with standard dose of mycorrhizae (2g/5L water). The above 4 treatments were tested in a Completely Randomized Design (CRD) with five replicates. Results indicated that there was no significant difference in all parameters tested on plants treated with recommended dose and 1/2 of recommended dose of inorganic fertilizer with standard dose of mycorrhizae. Highest fruit wet weight (556g/plant - 69% higher than lowest) in tomato plants treated with Yz recommended dose of inorganic fertilizer, and lowest was recorded in plants treated with standard dose of mycorrhizae without inorganic fertilizer (329g/plant). Highest soil microbial activity was recorded in soil treated with standard dose of mycorrhizae without inorganic fertilizer (462 C02 mg/kg of soil - 61% higher as comparing to the recommended dose of inorganic fertilizer) and lowest observed in soil treated with recommended dose of inorganic fertilizer (287 C02 mg/kg of soil). The microbial activities of soil micro-organisms were lower in soils treated with inorganic fertilizers. It is concluded that 1/2 recommended dose of inorganic fertilizer with standard dose of mycorrhizae is the best fertilizer mixture for tomato. Addition of mycorrhizae increases the soil microbial activity significantly comparing with field soil.