Root Architecture, Yield and Phosphorus Uptake by Rice: Response to Rock Phosphate Enriched Compost and Microbial Inoculants

Abstract

There is relatively little information about root architecture response under various cropping systems. This research concerns the influence of rock phosphate enriched compost and microbial inoculants on root morphology and root colonization through Arbuscular Mychorrhizal fungi under rice crop. In this study, we estimated the root length (RL), root biomass (RB), mychorrizal root infection, crop yield and phosphorus uptake in grain and straw. Root samples were collected after harvesting of crop located at Instructional farm of Bihar. Root parameters including root length (18.14 cm) and dry root biomass (0.93 g) were observed to be significantly higher in the treatments inoculated with Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi over control (statistically at par but numerically higher than 100% RDF) because of the hyphal extensions leading to increased reach and surface area of roots in rice crop. Highest uptake of P by the grain and straw of rice (13.78 and 11.03 kgha-1) was recorded with the combined application of chemical fertilizers with rock phosphate enriched compost in the presence of microbial inoculants like PSB and AMF.