Impact of the Mixed Consortium of Indigenous Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi (AMF) on the Growth and Yield of Rice (ORYZA SATIVA L.) under the system of Rice Intensification (SRI)

The effect of inoculation of indigenousarbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) co-inoculated with Azospirillumlipoferum(strain Az204) and phosphobacteria (Bacillus megaterium - strain PB2) on the growth and yield of rice under the System of Rice Intensification (SRI) in the nursery and field was studied by conducting a field trial at Agricultural College & Research Institute, Madurai. The indigenous AMF was isolated from rice fields of this Institute and were identified as Glomus sp., Gigasporasp. and Acaulospora sp. These AMF were mass multiplied in maize plants using vermiculite as substrate and used as mixed consortium AMF. The mat nursery was prepared and AMF inoculated at the rate of 100g/m2. Also treatment was done using Azospirillum and phosphobacteria on treatment wise. At the time of transplanting seedling dip was done for the 8-day old rice seedlings using the same microbial inoculants. In the main field seed also application of mixed consortium AMF along with Azospirillum and phosphobacteria was carried out based on the treatment schedule. The results of the field trial revealed that the seedlings in the nursery showed vigorous growth and AMF colonization and spore count were recorded the maximum in the treatment with AMF, Azospirillumand 75% RDF of N and P. In the main field also there was increased growth and yield of rice plant in the same treatment due to the inoculation of mixed consortium AMF co-inoculated with Azospirillum on rice variety, ADT43 in the presence of 75% N and P. The yield of rice in this treatment recorded 11.8% higher than with 100% NP alone, besides saving 25% NP. We conclude that the mixed consortium ofindigenousAMF inoculation at the nursery and main field under SRI increased growth and grain yield of rice.