Biodiversity of mycorrhizal fungi and evaluation of optimal conditions for their occurrence in soil to increase sugarcane yield

Mycorrhizal fungi play a crucial role in promoting the growth and yield of agricultural plants, including sugarcane. To evaluate optimal conditions for these fungi and enhance sugarcane yields in Khuzestan Province (Iran), the species and spore density of mycorrhizal fungi were investigated in a research project across eight sugarcane cultivation and industry companies. Combined soil samples were collected from ۲۵ sub-samples of each ۶۴ selected farms and analyzed in the laboratory. The spores were isolated using wet sieving and decanting method followed by sucrose centrifugation used for determination of fungal species and spore density. Meanwhile, factors such as the physicochemical properties of the soil, crop rotation and ratoon age were measured and recorded, and their impact on spore density and sugarcane yield was calculated statistically. A direct and intimate correlation was also discovered between the density of spores in the soil and the yield of sugarcane, with the best outcomes found in well-drained fields (adequate sand), a neutral to slightly alkaline pH, sufficient moisture, and controlled levels of nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium. On the other hand, crop rotation with plants like alfalfa or wheat which are mycorrhizal dependent as well as allowing fields to go fallow, and using fresh ratoon also led to an increase in the density of mycorrhizal fungi spores and sugarcane yield.

کلیدواژه ها:

Crop Rotation ، fallow ، Khuzestan Province ، ratoon ، Rhizosphere ، spore density