Yield of Maize (Zea mays) Under Different Species of Mycorrhiza (Arbuscular mycorrhizal) Fungi Inoculation

Abstract

A trial on the effect of different species Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi on the yield of Maize (Zea mays) was evaluated at the Teaching and Research Farm of Imo state University Owerri Imo State in the 2023 cropping season. The experimental design used was the randomized complete block design (RCBD) with six (6) treatments: Glomus intaradices, Glomus mossae, Acaulospora scrobiculata, Glomus etunicatum, Rhizophagus irregularis and Control (No specie), each replicated three (3) times. Pre planting physico-chemical properties of the soils were determined to know the soil status before planting and inoculation was done just before planting. Data collected includes the number of pods per plant, number of seeds per pod, 100-Seed Weight and grain yield. The result indicated significant differences (p<0.05) among the treatments on all the parameters measured. Plots inoculated with the Mycorrhizal species all performed more than the control. The best yield performance of 5.12 tons/ha was recorded from the plots inoculated with Rhizophagus irregularis followed by Glomus etunicatum (4.96ton/ha) and Acualospora scrobiculata (4.68ton/ha).  Among the 5 species of Mycorrhiza fungi used in the study, Rhizophagus irregularis, Glomus etunicatum and Acualospora scrobiculata are recommended for the growing maize in the study area.