Impact of biochar and arbuscular mycorrhizal inoculation on root colonization and selected soil chemical properties in south western Nigeria

Abstract

The use of biochar and arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) provide many opportunities for soil improvement, it is, therefore, important to understand their impact on soil and plant development so as to optimally exploit their potentials. Screenhouse experiment was conducted to evaluate the impact of biochar application and arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) inoculation on root colonization and selected soil chemical properties. The experiment was laid out in a 2×5×2 factorial, fitted into a completely randomized design with three replications. The factors included tomato genotypes (Ex-Lafia and Ex-Lokoja), biochar application rates (0, 5, 10, 15, and 20 t ha-1) and AMF (with and without AMF). Data were subjected to analysis of variance and significant means were separated using Duncan’s Multiple Range Test (p<0.05). The results showed that AM inoculation significantly (p<0.05) increased root colonization (51.33%) when compared with non mycorrhizal plants (10.17%). However, no significant differences were observed in soil pH, organic carbon and available P between mycorrhizal and non mycorrhizal plants. On the other hand, amendment with the 20t ha-1 of biochar recorded significantly (p<0.05) higher values of AM root colonization (46.25%), soil pH (7.05) and available P (13.93 mg kg-1) when compared to other biochar rates though comparable with 15 t ha-1 in soil pH (7.05) and available P (12.26 mg kg-1). It is therefore concluded that AM inoculation in biochar-amended soil improved root colonization while biochar application enhances root colonization, soil pH and available P.

Keywords: Biochar, AM inoculation, soil chemical properties.