Effect of an arbuscular mycorrhizal fungus, Glomus mosseae, and a rock-phosphate-solubilizing fungus, Penicillium thomii, on growth of Mentha piperita in a soil-less medium

CABELLO, M. N.; IRRAZABAL, G. B.; BUCSINSZKY, A. M. M.; SAPARRAT, M. C. N.; SCHALAMUK, S.

JOURNAL OF BASIC MICROBIOLOGY

Año: 2005 vol. 45 p. 182 - 189

0233-111X

Rock phosphate effect on English mint (Mentha piperita L) grown in steamed perlite:vermiculite (1:1, v:v) substrate, with and without rock phosphate, was evaluated in greenhouse experiments. Five treatments were carried out by inoculation with an arbuscular mycorrhizal fungus Glomus mosseae, and a phosphorus solubilizing microorganism Penicillium thomii. Plant aerial biomass, phosphorus concentration in plant tissue, and P available in the substrate, were evaluated upon two harvests. After the first harvest, plant aerial biomass did not show significant differences among the treatments fertilized with rock phosphate, although plant P content of treatments inoculated with P. thomii was higher. The second harvest revealed a higher biomass and plant tissue P content in treatments inoculated with G. mosseae. P. thomii increased P available in the substrate, whereas in the absence of G. mosseae, it did not enhance plant tissue P content. Mycorrhizal colonization was not affected by P. thomii. Microbial inoculation effect on English mint growth was also evaluated. The microbial effect was positive in all treatments when compared with the control without rock phosphate.