**6. Effect of agrochemicals on interactions of Rhizobium and AM fungi on the growth of two forest trees**

Different combination of agrochemicals (Captan, Sevin, TCP, Urea, 2, 4-D, DAP) along with Rhizobium and AM fungi were inoculated to test plants combinations are as follows Captan + *Glomus fasiculatum (G.f.)* **(A)**, Sevin + *G.f.***(B)**, TCP + *G.f*.**(C)**, Urea + *G.f.* + *Rhizobium sp*.**(D)**, 2,4-D+ *G.f.* + *Rhizobium sp*.**(E)**, DAP + *G.f.* +Rhizobium sp.**(F)**, Control+ SS+ *Rhizobium sp*.**(G).**

AM fungal infection was maximum in plants receiving treatment of E followed by D and F in descending order, while it was low in plants receiving treatment of A and B (**Table 5**). The spore population also increased in the presence of C, D, and F. Treatments C and D, promoted the plant growth. However, E promoted the maximum height followed by F and D plants, while it was least in B treated plants. Similarly, the treatment of E stimulated nodulation and biomass production. On the other hand, F and D influenced nodulation to an intermediate degree. The addition of tricalcium phosphate adversely affected growth-promoting activity. The degree of nodulation


**Table 5.** *Effect of agrochemicals on interactions of rhizobium and AM fungi on the growth of two forest trees.*

**107**

*Mycorrhizae Applications in Sustainable Forestry DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.94580*

decreased in the presence of captan and sevin which may also partly be due to the absence of *Rhizobium*. The biomass production varied with the agrochemicals tried. The maximum biomass production was recorded in the treatment E, while it was low in sevin treated plants. Similarly, the phosphorus content in shoot and root increased. The increase was more in root than in shoot. Treatments of F and C have adversely affected both the tree species. Maximum root infection was observed in *A. nilotica* plants receiving treatment D followed by B (**Table 5**). Root infection was least in E and F treatments. The stimulatory effect was comparatively more in treatment B than A. similar trend was observed in the spore population. The maximum spore population was recorded in plants receiving D treatment followed by B. It was low in F treated plants. Treatments

A, C, and F adversely affected the AM infection and spore population.

followed by F plants and it was considerably low in D.

**7. Applications of AM fungi**

The biomass production varied with the agrochemicals tried. The maximum AMF root colonization and biomass production was observed in the treatment E, while it was low in sevin treated plants. Similarly, Maximum plant height was recorded with fertilizers, while it was low in F treated plants. Nodulation increased in plants treated with E along with Rhizobium, while it was low in D and F. Treatments of A, B and C were responsible for inhibition of nodulation. On the other hand, the increased biomass production was recorded in plants treated with D and least in F. [43, 44] have recorded the adverse effect of some agrochemicals on AM colonization and growth and development of plants studied by them. Marginal change in physico-chemical characteristics of soils with the addition of different agrochemicals. The pH of the soils ranged between 7.0 and 8.1, and in C, E, and B soil was comparatively more alkaline. Maximum EC was recorded in D plants, while it was least in C plants. Organic matter was maximum in E plants, while it was low in B treated plants. Available phosphorus was also considerably increased in soils receiving different agrochemicals. Maximum available phosphorus was recorded in E treated soils followed by F and D treated plants. Available potassium was maximum in *G. fasciculatum* treated plants,

The root-based hyphal network in soils is the primary inoculum for seedlings that become established on natural grasslands. However, the inoculants colonized roots have some profound disadvantages since they may contain more than one mycorrhizal fungus and may also contain pathogenic organisms. Spores are possibly the best inoculants for laboratory experiments because the features diagnostic of individual species are present only in the spores developed primarily on extra metrical hyphae. Natural soil of crops and forests may contain varying numbers of spores of different AM fungal species. The dual culture using sterile soil with some kind of quality control is believed a practical approach to produce a high level of inoculants for commercial applications. A pot culture of *Glomus versiforme* on Sudan grass (*Sorghum vulgare*) can produce up to 107 spores per month over an extended period [45]. Spores from colonized soil near the colonized roots collected from field or pot cultures can be extracted using the traditional wet-sieve method. This approach and the later modified techniques are widely used in extracting spores from soils with modifications.

Arbuscular mycorrhizae show up as an exceptionally encouraging and monetarily reasonable device for the foundation of practical models of rural creation, because of their ability to expand the assimilation of fundamental supplements to plant development and increment their resistance to unfavorable ecological conditions, consequently keeping up soil quality and its gainful potential. Although enhancements in soil quality and plant nutritional status, for mycorrhizae application, was less investigated [46]. Various investigations have indicated that AM

*Mycorrhizae Applications in Sustainable Forestry DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.94580*

*Mycorrhizal Fungi - Utilization in Agriculture and Forestry*

**106**

**Trestments** *Albizia lebbeck*

Captan + G.f (A)

Sevin+Gf.(B) TCP + G.f.(C) Urea + G.f. + Rhizobium sp.(D)

2,4-D+ G.f. + Rhizobium sp.(E)

DAP+G.f. + Rhizobium sp.(F)

Control+ SS + Rhizobium

sp.(G)

*Acacia nilotica*

Captan + G.f (A)

Sevin+Gf.(B) TCP + G.f.(C) Urea + G.f. + Rhizobium sp.(D)

2,4-D+ G.f. + Rhizobium sp.(E)

DAP+G.f. + Rhizobium sp.(F)

Control+ SS + Rhizobium

sp.(G)

*Mean ± S.D. G.f. Glomus fasiculatum, and SS = Sterile soil.*

**Table 5.**

*Effect of agrochemicals on interactions of rhizobium and AM fungi on the growth of two forest trees.*

54.5 ± 0.68 33.0 ± 0.62

109 ± 0.82

122.6 ± 1.25

57.8 ± 1.25

154.3 ± 1.25

68.1 ± 0.37

212.3 ± 1.70

55.2 ± 0.78 64.5 ± 0.50 61.2 ± 0.49

165.6 ± 2.05

183.6 ± 2.05

129.0 ± 0.82

52.9 ± 0.29

64.4 ± 0.17

67.4 ± 0.87

67.6 ± 0.59 63.0 ± 0.62 48.3 ± 1.03 42.7 ± 0.37

—

27.6 ± 1.25

6.94 ± 0.01 5.42 ± 0.02

3.03 ± 0.02

0.91 ± 0.01

0.61 ± 0.01

3.72 ± 0.02

0.13 ± 0.01

0.91 ± 0.01

37.6 ± 1.25

8.05 ± 0.03

6.26 ± 0.01

0.17 ± 0.01

0.13 ± 0.01

34.0 ± 1.63

9.16 ± 0.02

5.06 ± 0.01

0.22 ± 0.01

0.14 ± 0.01

—

—

—

7.06 ± 0.01 7.45 ± 0.02 8.75 ± 0.02

4.56 ± 0.01

0.21 ± 0.01

0.16 ± 0.02

4.14 ± 0.03

0.17 ± 0.01

0.14 ± 0.02

3.92 ± 0.02

0.12 ± 0.01

0.15 ± 0.01

56.4 ± 0.15 46.5 ± 1.25

104.0 ± 1.63

112.0 ± 1.63

58.5 ± 0.22

127.3 ± 1.70

56.5 ± 1.25

118.0 ± 0.82

47.8 ± 1.28 49.0 ± 0.54 42.5 ± 0.21

114.0 ± 0.82

104.0 ± 1.63

83.0 ± 0.82

53.0 ± 0.82

37.3 ± 1.25

54.3 ± 1.25

62.0 ± 1.63 66.0 ± 1.63 64.0 ± 1.63 48.0 ± 0.82

—

55.3 ± 2.49

37.3 ± 0.70 27.2 ± 0.82

16.4 ± 0.25

0.44 ± 0.22

0.47 ± 0.01

29.1 ± 0.29

0.14 ± 0.02

0.28 ± 0.01

56.0 ± 1.63

38.3 ± 0.39

26.6 ± 0.42

0.36 ± 0.02

0.23 ± 0.02

46.0 ± 1.63

28.0 ± 1.30

18.7 ± 0.17

0.24 ± 0.01

0.34 ± 0.02

—

—

—

22.5 ± 0.22 20.8 ± 0.29

35.1 ± 0.53

26.3 ± 0.34

0.22 ± 0.01

0.35 ± 0.02

17.5 ± 0.25

0.28 ± 0.01

0.34 ± 0.02

15.4 ± 0.16

0.15 ± 0.01

0.17 ± 0.01

**Infection(%)**

**No. of spores/ 100 g soil**

**Plant height** 

**No. of nodules/**

**Biomass** **Fresh wt.**

**Dry wt.**

**Shoot**

**Root**

**Phosphorus content** 

**(mg/plant)**

**plant**

**(cm)**

decreased in the presence of captan and sevin which may also partly be due to the absence of *Rhizobium*. The biomass production varied with the agrochemicals tried. The maximum biomass production was recorded in the treatment E, while it was low in sevin treated plants. Similarly, the phosphorus content in shoot and root increased. The increase was more in root than in shoot. Treatments of F and C have adversely affected both the tree species. Maximum root infection was observed in *A. nilotica* plants receiving treatment D followed by B (**Table 5**). Root infection was least in E and F treatments. The stimulatory effect was comparatively more in treatment B than A. similar trend was observed in the spore population. The maximum spore population was recorded in plants receiving D treatment followed by B. It was low in F treated plants. Treatments A, C, and F adversely affected the AM infection and spore population.

The biomass production varied with the agrochemicals tried. The maximum AMF root colonization and biomass production was observed in the treatment E, while it was low in sevin treated plants. Similarly, Maximum plant height was recorded with fertilizers, while it was low in F treated plants. Nodulation increased in plants treated with E along with Rhizobium, while it was low in D and F. Treatments of A, B and C were responsible for inhibition of nodulation. On the other hand, the increased biomass production was recorded in plants treated with D and least in F. [43, 44] have recorded the adverse effect of some agrochemicals on AM colonization and growth and development of plants studied by them. Marginal change in physico-chemical characteristics of soils with the addition of different agrochemicals. The pH of the soils ranged between 7.0 and 8.1, and in C, E, and B soil was comparatively more alkaline. Maximum EC was recorded in D plants, while it was least in C plants. Organic matter was maximum in E plants, while it was low in B treated plants. Available phosphorus was also considerably increased in soils receiving different agrochemicals. Maximum available phosphorus was recorded in E treated soils followed by F and D treated plants. Available potassium was maximum in *G. fasciculatum* treated plants, followed by F plants and it was considerably low in D.

The root-based hyphal network in soils is the primary inoculum for seedlings that become established on natural grasslands. However, the inoculants colonized roots have some profound disadvantages since they may contain more than one mycorrhizal fungus and may also contain pathogenic organisms. Spores are possibly the best inoculants for laboratory experiments because the features diagnostic of individual species are present only in the spores developed primarily on extra metrical hyphae. Natural soil of crops and forests may contain varying numbers of spores of different AM fungal species. The dual culture using sterile soil with some kind of quality control is believed a practical approach to produce a high level of inoculants for commercial applications. A pot culture of *Glomus versiforme* on Sudan grass (*Sorghum vulgare*) can produce up to 107 spores per month over an extended period [45]. Spores from colonized soil near the colonized roots collected from field or pot cultures can be extracted using the traditional wet-sieve method. This approach and the later modified techniques are widely used in extracting spores from soils with modifications.

### **7. Applications of AM fungi**

Arbuscular mycorrhizae show up as an exceptionally encouraging and monetarily reasonable device for the foundation of practical models of rural creation, because of their ability to expand the assimilation of fundamental supplements to plant development and increment their resistance to unfavorable ecological conditions, consequently keeping up soil quality and its gainful potential. Although enhancements in soil quality and plant nutritional status, for mycorrhizae application, was less investigated [46]. Various investigations have indicated that AM

Fungi can expand plant health and yield [47, 48]. These symbionts offer an ecoaccommodating natural sound substitute to compound composts and pesticides for managing both plant quality and quantity in farming, cultivation, and ranger service. AM Fungi is currently viewed as the base of sustainable farming; so, there is a need to speed up its management in rural establishment frameworks [49].

The development of AM fungal hyphae is promoted by root exudates and is dependent on the arrangement of an appressorium increases the chance of hyphal entrance in the root framework. Dry weight and mycorrhizal dependence are the two most commonly utilized methods for assess AM fungal impact on plants [50]. Fungal impacts on plant physiology, for example, mineral nutrition especially phosphorus, plant execution, and plant assurance are significant segments in surveying contagious productivity.

AM fungi may similarly have connections among plant development advancing rhizosphere (PGPR) life forms. The impact of AM immunization may shift since numerous elements can impact the event of AM fungi [12].

#### **8. Conclusion**

The plant root infection and spore population were good in the forest soils and they were less in the overburden coal mine spoils. AMF exhibit different distribution patterns between these two soil types, where *Glomus* is dominant among all the species, *Scutellospora* and *Aculospora* were least in population. The high Mycorrhizal dependency value suggests that mycorrhizal inoculation would be useful in producing vigorous seedlings. In the nursery, which establish better and withstand some amount of drought and pathogenic infection. Seedlings inoculated with the indigenous AMF monoculture showed the highest biomass and phosphorus content when compared to non-mycorrhizal (controls), those plants grew very poorly. Within the AM fungi selection of perfect efficient indigenous mycorrhiza inoculations are needed for revegetation of disturbed sites. By the efficient AMF inoculation, the agroforestry tree species showed the best results in the form of increasing biomass and phosphorus uptake.

AM fungi and Plant Growth Promoting Rhizobacteria (PGPR) are significant parts in forest development and helps to increase biomass production [51]. There is a need of long term field studies to screen the efficent AM fungi in the revegetation sites and synergistic effects on indigenous microflora on tree growth.

#### **Author details**

Dayakar Govindu, Anusha Duvva and Srinivas Podeti\* Department of Biotechnology, Kakatiya University, Warangal, Telangana State, India

\*Address all correspondence to: srinivas7586@gmail.com

© 2020 The Author(s). Licensee IntechOpen. This chapter is distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/ by/3.0), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.

**109**

*Mycorrhizae Applications in Sustainable Forestry DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.94580*

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