RESPONSE OF WHEAT TO THE INOCULATION OF ARBUSCULAR MYCORRHIZAL FUNGI IN SALT AFFECTED SOIL

Arbuscular Mycorrhizal (AM) fungi have the potential to improve crops yield by enhancing plant nutrient accumulation. An experiment was conducted in pots as two factors completely randomized design under natural conditions to study the scope of inoculating wheat crop (Triticum aestivum L. Bhakhar 2002) with AM fungi alone and in combinations with different organic fertilizers in two different soil series of salt affected soils during 2007. Shoots dry matter and grain yield of wheat increased significantly (P < 0.05) with the inoculation of AM fungi alone and in combination with farm yard manure (FYM), poultry manure (PM) and humic acid (HA) over control and Nitrogen-Phosphorus-Potash (N-P-K) treatments. Accumulation of N by wheat shoots increased significantly (P < 0.05) with the inoculation of AM fungi alone and with PM and HA and P increased with FYM, PM and HA when compared with N-P-K treatment. Accumulation of Cu by wheat shoots increased significantly (P < 0.05) over control and N-P-K treatments by the inoculation of AM fungi with PM and HA, Zn and Fe with FYM, PM and HA, while Mn increased by AM fungi in combination with FYM, PM and HA in Shabqadar and with HA in Warsak soil series. Significantly (P < 0.05) increased AM fungal roots infection rate of 44 % and spores numbers of 55 in 20 g soil were recorded in the treatment where AM fungi were inoculated with HA. Results suggest that inoculation of wheat with AM fungi in combination with different organic fertilizers have the capability to increase shoots dry matter and grain yield of wheat in salt affected soils due to the improved mycorrhizal roots infections and plant nutrients accumulations.