NUTRIENT UPTAKE IMPROVEMENT OF FORAGE LEGUMES BY ROCK PHOPHATE FERTILIZATION AND ARBUSCULAR MYCORRHIZAL FUNGI INOCULATION

Abstract

A series of experiments were carried out during 25 months consisting of greenhouse and field experiments and laboratory analysis. Centro (Centrosema pubescens) and puero (Pueraria phaseoloides) were inoculated with arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) and without AMF and were fertilized with rock phosphate (RP) at dosage of completely randomized design (CRD) in three replicates was used for greenhouse experiment and in completely randomized block design (CRBD) was used for field experiment. The significant difference among treatments was tested using Duncan Multiple Range Tests (DMRT). The results of greenhouse experiment showed that N and P uptake of puero were higher than centro. Nitrogen and P uptake of mycorrhizal legumes were higher than non-mycorrhizal legumes. 0, 100, 200, 300 and 400 kg P₂O₅/ha. Split in time in Rock phosphate fertilization increased N and P uptake of mycorrhizal legumes approximately 9, and 22 times than non-mycorrhizal legumes respectively. The result of field experiment showed that N and P uptake of centro and puero Increased after defoliation. However, N and P uptake of puero were higher than centro. Rock phosphate fertilization increased N and P uptake of legumes. Nitrogen and P uptake of legumes were not significantly different for both with or without AMF inoculation.