Effect of fertilizers, lime, and inoculation with rhizobia and mycorrhizal fungi on the growth of four leguminous tree species in a low-fertility soil

Abstract

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of lime, fertilizers, mycorrhizal fungi, and selected rhizobia strains on the growth of four woody legume species, Albizia lebbeck (L.) Benth., Enterolobium contortisiliquum (Vell.) Morong., Leucaena leucocephala (Lam.) de Wit, and Sesbania virgata (Cav.) Pers. in a low-fertility soil. The experiment was conducted under greenhouse condition in plastic pots (4 kg). Eight treatments and eight replicates per treatment were performed in a completely randomized design. The treatments were: (1) complete treatment (C) (NPK fertilization + micronutrients + liming + MR that is inoculation with mycorrhizal fungi and rhizobia); (2) C minus N (C − N that is as C without the addition of N); (3) C − N − M (as C − N without inoculation with arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF)); (4) C − N −R (as C − N without inoculation of rhizobia); (5) C − N − liming (as C − N without liming); (6) C − N − micro (as C − N without addition of micronutrients); (7) C − N − P (as C − N without addition of P); (8) control without fertilization, liming, and without inoculation with AMF and rhizobia. After 4 months of growth, we determined the yield of individual plants, nodulation, mycorrhizal colonization, and nutrient contents. Phosphorus was the most limiting nutrient for plant growth, followed by nitrogen. L. leucocephala and S. virgata had the most robust response to the addition of micronutrients and liming, showing an increase in nutrient content, plant height, and root and shoot dry matter. When compared to the single inoculation, the dual inoculation increased growth of all plants, except that of A. lebbeck, which did not respond to either rhizobia or mycorrhizal fungi inoculation.