Studies on association of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi with gluconacetobacter diazotrophicus and its effect on improvement of sorghum bicolor (L.)

Int J Cur Sci Res. 2011; 1(2): 23 - 30.

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Original article

Studies on association of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi with gluconacetobacter
diazotrophicus and its effect on improvement of sorghum bicolor (L.)

Murugan Meenakshisundaram^a*and Karrupagnaniar Santhaguru^b

^a * PG Department of Biotechnology, Nehru Memorial College, Puthanampatti, Trichy-621007, Tamilnadu, India.

^bCentre for Research & PG Department of Botany, Thiagarajar College, Madurai-625009, Tamilnadu, India

ARTICLE INFO

Considerable attention has been paid on endophytic diazotrophs in recent times, because of its
of ability to fix and transfer fixed nitrogen to the host plant. Arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi
are ubiquitous and play a significant role in improving the growth of plants through better
uptake of nutrients, especially phosphorus. Interaction between AM fungi and nitrogen fixing
bacteria and its impact on the host plant has been studied in several instances. In the present
study, an attempt has been made to know the combining ability of G.diazotrophicus with AM
fungi on S.bicolor. Spores of ten species of AM fungi were isolated from the rhizosphere soils of
S.bicolor from different localities of Madurai and Sivagangai districts of Tamil Nadu.
G.diazotrophicus was isolated from stem tissues of sugarcane (Saccharrum officinarum L.)
from Madurai districts. The AM fungi in association with G.diazotrophicus were evaluated on
the basis of root colonization, fresh and drymatter yield, N, P, soluble sugars and
photosynthetic pigments in leaves of S.bicolor. Fresh weight and dry weight was significantly
higher in dual inoculated plants. The highest values were recorded with Glomus fasciculatum +
G.diazotrophicus combination. AM fungal infection was significantly higher in dual inoculated
plants. N concentration was significantly increased by G.diazotrophicus even more in
association with the efficient fungal strains. Dual inoculated plants showed a significant
increase in P, soluble sugars, photosynthetic pigments in leaves was observed in
G.diazotrophicus + Glomus fasciculatum combination. Such morphological modification may
enhance water and nutrient uptake. Our results confirm the importance of studying plant-
microbial interrelationship to provide useful information for agricultural system
management.

© Copyright 2011. CurrentSciDirect Publications. IJCSR - All rights reserved.

1. Introduction

Sorghum bicolor (L.) Monech (Sweet sorghum) is used as forage
or an intercalary cereal crop in rotation with winter cereals. In
India and southern Tamil Nadu sorghum is cultivated on arid and
marginal agricultural areas as substitute of maize. At present, the
optimization of biomass yields is obtained by chemical
fertilization [1]. To decrease production costs and pollution risks,
the inoculation of plants with useful microorganisms is attempted.

* Corresponding Author : Dr.M.Meenakshisundraram

Assistant professor, Department of Biotechnology,

Nehru Memorial College,

Puthanampatti-621007, Trichy, Tamil Nadu, INDIA

E.mail: [email protected]

© Copyright 2011. CurrentSciDirect Publications. IJCSR - All rights reserved.

Among rhizosphere microorganisms, Arbuscular mycorrhizal
(AM) fungi are ubiquitous in distribution and occur on almost all
vascular plants [2] .The increasing body of evidence for the
sustainable beneficial effect of AM fungi on crop plants and the
growing global awareness of sustainable food productivity
encourages the use of these fungi as a biotechnological tool. The
beneficial effect of inoculating crop plants with AM fungi for
improving plant growth is well documented [3]. In general,
diazotrophic bacteria play a major role in the nitrogen cycle. Most
reports consider N fixing bacterial symbiosis with leguminous
plants; several studies, however considered also the influence of
diazotrophs, and the relationship between biological nitrogen
fixation and sustainable agriculture [4].

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