Vermicompost Enhances the Effectiveness of Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi, Cowpea Development and Nutrient Uptake

Abstract

Background: Optimum plant nutrition with various organic and inorganic fertilizers such as synthetic fertilizer, compost, mycorrhiza and bacterial isolations have a pivotal role in agricultural production. This study was laid out to observe the combined impact of mycorrhiza and vermicompost treatments on plant growth and nutrient uptake of cowpea. Methods: The experiment was laid out under controlled greenhouse conditions at Tokat Gaziosmanpasa University in 2021. Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi and vermicompost treatments were used in the experiment. The experiment was laid out in split-plot randomized complete design with three replications. Result: Individual performance of vermicompost amendment was more effective on nutrient uptake and seedling growth compared with alone mycorrhizal treatment and control. However, the combined application of mycorrhiza and vermicompost exhibited a remarkable synergistic impact on each other. In particular, combined application of vermicompost and mycorrhizal fungi induced leaf phosphorus content up to 72% over control seedlings. In conclusion, vermicompost both increased effectiveness of mycorrhizal fungi and also promoted nutrient uptake, dry matter accumulation and seedling growth in cowpea.