Evaluating the Synergistic Effects of Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi and Phosphate-solubilizing Bacteria on Growth and Yield Enhancement in Eggplant (Solanum melongena L.)

Abstract

A pot culture experiment investigated the combined effects of Glomus fasciculatum (AM fungi) and Bacillus megaterium (phosphate-solubilizing bacteria, PSB) on brinjal (Solanum melongena L.) under varying phosphorus levels (50% and 75% of the recommended P dose) alongside standard nitrogen and potassium fertilization. Among the ten treatments evaluated, T7 (75% P + G. fasciculatum + B. megaterium) emerged as the most effective, demonstrating significant enhancements in plant growth, nutrient uptake, and yield. The study highlighted a synergistic interaction between AM fungi and PSB: AM fungi improved phosphorus acquisition efficiency through hyphal networks, while PSB solubilized soil-bound phosphorus, thereby increasing its bioavailability. In this study, No. of branches of brinjal per plant at T7 i.e 75% of P+G. fasiculatum + B. megaterium at 90 DAT was 19.81. No. of fruit weight of brinjal per plant T7 i.e 75% of P+G. fasiculatum + B. megaterium at 90 DAT was 80.61. No.of fruit volume and fruit girth/plant T7 i.e 75% of P+G. fasiculatum + B. megaterium at 90 DAT was Fruit volume: 65.91 Fruit girth: 6.43 Percentage colonisation and spore number by G. fasciculatum in brinjal were higher at 75%, followed by 50% phosphorus. This dual inoculation strategy not only optimized phosphorus utilization but also amplified biomass accumulation and fruit productivity in brinjal, underscoring its potential for sustainable nutrient management in solanaceous crops.