Ismael, R., Fattah, O. (2025). Effect of Mycorrhiza and Nitrogen Fixing Bacteria on Growth Characteristics and Nutrient Uptake of Maize (Zea mays L.) at Different NP Levels. , 16(3), 192-204. doi: 10.58928/ku25.16322
Rekar Rasul Ismael; Omar Ali Fattah. "Effect of Mycorrhiza and Nitrogen Fixing Bacteria on Growth Characteristics and Nutrient Uptake of Maize (Zea mays L.) at Different NP Levels". , 16, 3, 2025, 192-204. doi: 10.58928/ku25.16322
Ismael, R., Fattah, O. (2025). 'Effect of Mycorrhiza and Nitrogen Fixing Bacteria on Growth Characteristics and Nutrient Uptake of Maize (Zea mays L.) at Different NP Levels', , 16(3), pp. 192-204. doi: 10.58928/ku25.16322
Ismael, R., Fattah, O. Effect of Mycorrhiza and Nitrogen Fixing Bacteria on Growth Characteristics and Nutrient Uptake of Maize (Zea mays L.) at Different NP Levels. , 2025; 16(3): 192-204. doi: 10.58928/ku25.16322

Effect of Mycorrhiza and Nitrogen Fixing Bacteria on Growth Characteristics and Nutrient Uptake of Maize (Zea mays L.) at Different NP Levels

Kirkuk University Journal for Agricultural Sciences (KUJAS)
Volume 16, Issue 3, September 2025, Pages 192-204    PDF (729.02 K)
Document Type: Research Paper
DOI: 10.58928/ku25.16322
Authors
Rekar Rasul Ismael* 1; Omar Ali Fattah2
1Dept.Natural Resources, College of Agriculture Engineering Science University of Sulaimani- Iraq
2Dept. Natural Resources, College of Agricultural Engineering Science University of Sulaimani- IRAQ.
Abstract
A pot experiment was conducted from July to October 2024 in the plastic house belonging to the Horticulture Department, College of Agricultural Engineering Sciences, University of Sulaimani, located at (35 32 18.4 N and 45 21 55.3E) to examine the effect of mycorrhiza, nitrogen-fixing bacteria, and the interaction between them on maize (Zea mays L.) growth and nutrient uptake at different levels of NP fertilizers (0%, 25 %, 50 %, 75 %, 100 %) of dose, using urea and triple superphosphate as the source of NP. A Factorial experiment was conducted using a complete randomized design (CRD) with three replicates in silty clay soil collected in Kani Panka at a depth of 15–30 cm. Before harvesting, the plant height and chlorophyll intensity were measured, and then the plants were harvested to measure root and shoot dry weight, root colonization, and N, P, Fe, Mn, Zn, and Cu concentration in dry shoots. The results show that co-inoculation led to significantly greater plant height 85.67 cm, chlorophyll intensity (61.00 SPAD), root dry weight (3.46 g) and shoot dry weight (8.18 g) at 75% NP, while root colonization (77.67%) was highest at 50% NP fertilizer. Maize shoot N, P, Fe, Mn, Zn, and Cu content were respectively observed at (18.80 g Kg⁻¹, 1.37 g Kg⁻¹, 94.37 µg g⁻¹) at 50 % NP, (69.00 µg g⁻¹, 94.83 µg g⁻¹, and 44.00 µg g⁻¹) at 75 % NP fertilizer. Additionally,inoculation by Azotobacter chroococcum alone significantly increased plant growth and nutrient uptake, but mycorrhiza resulted in less effective for increases in plant growth and nutrient uptake compared to control.
Keywords
Azotobacter Chrococcum; Biofertilizers; Chemical fertilizers; Maize; Mycorrhiza
References
  • Kazerooni, E. G., Atia Sharif, H. N., Rehman, R. and Nisar, S., 2019. Maize (corn)-a useful source of human nutrition and health: a critical. Int J Chem Biochem Sci, 15, pp. 35-41. URL: https://www.iscientific.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/7-IJCBS-19-15-7.pdf
  • Erenstein, O., Jaleta, M., Sonder, K., Mottaleb, K. and Prasanna, B. M., 2022. Global maize production, consumption and trade: trends and r&d implications. Food security, 14(5), pp. 1295-1319. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12571-022-01288-7
  • Hussein, M. M., 2023. The benefits and drawbacks of chemical and organic fertilizers, as well as which is best for plants. Int. J. of Aquatic Science, 14(1), pp. 550-555. URL: https://www.journalaquaticscience.com/article_176931_ea794c6ce3b006bfd7788c63e7d5d496.pdf
  • Wang, Y., Yang, Z., Kong, Y., Li, X., Li, W., Du, H. and Zhang, C., 2020. Gmpap12 is required for nodule development and nitrogen fixation under phosphorus starvation in soybean. Frontiers in Plant Science, 11, pp. 450. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpls.2020.00450
  • Basu, A., Prasad, P., Das, S. N., Kalam, S., Sayyed, R., Reddy, M. and El Enshasy, H., 2021. Plant growth promoting rhizobacteria (pgpr) as green bioinoculants: recent developments, constraints, and prospects. Sustainability, 13(3), pp. 1140. https://doi.org/10.3390/su13031140
  • Nosheen, S., Ajmal, I., Song, Y., 2021. Microbes as biofertilizers, a potential approach for sustainable crop production. Sustainability, 13(4), pp. 1868. https://doi.org/10.3390/su13041868
  • Chen, E. C., Morin, E., Beaudet, D., Noel, J., Yildirir, G., Ndikumana, S., Charron, P., St‐Onge, C., Giorgi, J. and Krüger, M., 2018. High intraspecific genome diversity in the model arbuscular mycorrhizal symbiont rhizophagus irregularis. New Phytologist, 220(4), pp. 1161-1171. https://doi.org/10.1111/nph.14989
  • Bandyopadhyay, P., Yadav, B. G., Kumar, S. G., Kumar, R., Kogel, K.-H. and Kumar, S., 2022. Piriformospora indica and azotobacter chroococcum consortium facilitates higher acquisition of n, p with improved carbon allocation and enhanced plant growth in oryza sativa. Journal of Fungi, 8(5), pp. 453. https://doi.org/3390/jof8050453
  • Sule, I.O., Agbabiaka, T.O., Saliu, B.K., Ajijolakewu, K.A. and Zakariyah, R.F., 2023. Assessment of the potentials of Azotobacter spp. As bioinoculants on the growth of potted maize plants. Science World Journal, 18(2), pp.276-282. https://doi.org/ https://doi.org/10.4314/swj.v18i2.16
  • [Ma, J., Wang, W., Yang, J., Qin, S., Yang, Y., Sun, C., Pei, G., Zeeshan, M., Liao, H., Liu, L. and Huang, J., 2022. Mycorrhizal symbiosis promotes the nutrient content accumulation and affects the root exudates in maize. BMC Plant Biology, 22(1), p.64. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12870-021-03370-2
  • Biari, A. Gholami and H.A. Rahmani., 2008. Growth promotion and enhanced nutrient uptake of maize (zea maysl.) by application of plant growth promoting rhizobacteria in arid region of iran. Journal of Biological Sciences, 8: 1015-1020. https://scialert.net/abstract/?doi=jbs.2008.1015.1020
  • Muthu-Kumar, A., Sandhya, G. and Karthikeyan, A., 2023. Evaluation of bio-fertiliser (bio-inoculant) consortia and their effect on plant growth performance of sandalwood (santalum album) seedlings. Journal of Tropical Forest Science, 35(3), pp. 311-321. https://doi.org/10.26525/jtfs2023.35.3.311
  • Berger, A., Harari, M. G., Gross, A. and Erez, A., 2024. Diversity loss in microbial ecosystems undergoing gradual environmental changes. Cell Reports Sustainability, 1(11), pp. 1-12. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.crsus.2024.100242
  • Anas, M., Khalid, A., Saleem, M. H., Ali Khan, K., Ahmed Khattak, W. and Fahad, S., 2025. Symbiotic synergy: unveiling plant-microbe interactions in stress adaptation. Journal of Crop Health, 77(1), pp. 1-21. https://doi.org/1007/s10343-024-01070-z
  • Hindersah, R., Kamaluddin, N. N., Samanta, S., Banerjee, S. and Sarkar, S., 2020. Role and perspective of azotobacter in crops production. SAINS TANAH-Journal of Soil Science and Agroclimatology, 17(2), pp. 170-179. https://doi.org/10.20961/stjssa.v17i2.45130
  • Chaudhary, P., Singh, S., Chaudhary, A., Sharma, A. and Kumar, G., 2022. Overview of biofertilizers in crop production and stress management for sustainable agriculture. Frontiers in Plant Science, 13, pp. 930340. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpls.2022.930340
  • Shaimaa, A., Massoud, O., 2017. Impact of inoculation with mycorrhiza and azotobacter under different N and P rates on growth, nutrient status, yield and some soil characteristics of Washington Navel Orange Trees. Middle East Journal of Agriculture, 6(3), pp. 617-638. URL: https://www.curresweb.com/mejar/mejar/2017/617-638.pdf
  • Sun, W., Shahrajabian, M., 2023. The application of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi as microbial biostimulant, sustainable approaches in modern agriculture. Plants, 12(17), pp. 3101. https://doi.org/10.3390/plants12173101
  • Ronga, D., Vitti, A., Zaccardelli, M., Pane, C., Caradonia, F., Cardarelli, M., Colla, G. and Rouphael, Y., 2021. Root zone management for improving seedling quality of organically produced horticultural crops. Agronomy, 11(4), pp. 630. https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy11040630
  • Rawat, P., Das, S., Shankhdhar, D. and Shankhdhar, S., 2021. Phosphate-solubilizing microorganisms: mechanism and their role in phosphate solubilization and uptake. Journal of Soil Science and Plant Nutrition, 21(1), pp. 49-68. https://doi.org/10.1007/s42729-020-00342-7
  • Singh, S., Annapurna, K., Shrivastava, N. and Varma, A., 2022. Symbiotic interplay of piriformospora indica and azotobacter chroococcum augments crop productivity and biofortification of zinc and iron. Microbiological Research, 262, pp. 127075. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.micres.2022.127075
  • Ramzani, P. M. A., Khalid, M., Naveed, M., Ahmad, R. and Shahid, M., 2016. Iron biofortification of wheat grains through integrated use of organic and chemical fertilizers in ph affected calcareous soil. Plant Physiology and Biochemistry, 104, pp. 284-293. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.plaphy.2016.04.053
  • Thielicke, M., Ahlborn, J., Eichler-Löbermann, B. and Eulenstein, F., 2023. On the negative impact of mycorrhiza application on maize plants (zea mays) amended with mineral and organic fertilizer. Microorganisms, 11(7), pp. 1663. https://doi.org/10.3390/microorganisms11071663
  • Maia, E. P. V., Garcia, K. G. V., de Souza Oliveira Filho, J., Pinheiro, J. I. and Filho, P. F. M., 2023. Co-inoculation of rhizobium and arbuscular mycorrhiza increases mimosa caesalpiniaefolia growth in soil degraded by manganese mining. Water, Air, & Soil Pollution, 234(5), pp. 289. URL: https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s11270-023-06314-8
  • Bhantana, P., Rana, M. S., Sun, X.-c., Moussa, M. G., Saleem, M. H., Syaifudin, M., Shah, A., Poudel, A., Pun, A. B. and Bhat, M. A., 2021. Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi and its major role in plant growth, zinc nutrition, phosphorous regulation and phytoremediation. Symbiosis, 84, pp. 19-37. https://doi.org/10.1007/s13199-021-00756-6
  • Jakhad, A., Debbarma, V., 2023. Influence of biofertilizer and zinc on growth, yield and economics of sorghum (sorghum bicolor l.). International Journal of Plant & Soil Science, 35(8), pp. 90-97. https://doi.org/10.9734/IJPSS/2023/v35i82884
  • Lehmann, A., Veresoglou, S. D., Leifheit, E. F. and Rillig, M. C., 2014. Arbuscular mycorrhizal influence on zinc nutrition in crop plants–a meta-analysis. Soil Biology and Biochemistry, 69, pp. 123-131. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.soilbio.2013.11.001
  • Sardans, J., Lambers, H., Preece, C., Alrefaei, A. F. and Penuelas, J., 2023. Role of mycorrhizas and root exudates in plant uptake of soil nutrients (calcium, iron, magnesium, and potassium): has the puzzle been completely solved?. The plant journal, 114(6), pp. https://doi.org/1227-1242. 10.1111/tpj.16184
  • Majumdar, K., Satyanarayana, T., Dutta, S., Pampolino, M., Jat, M.L., Shahi, V., Iftikar, W., Govil, V. and Singh, V.K., 2014. On-farm performance of “nutrient expert” for maize: fertilizer recommendation, yield and nutrient use efficiency. Better Crops South-Asia, 8, pp.24-27. https:// https://www.fertilizer.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/BCSA-2014.pdf#page=24
  • Schmidt, W., 2003. Iron solutions: acquisition strategies and signaling pathways in plants. Trends in Plant Science, 8(4), pp.188-193. https://doi.org/10.1016/S1360-1385(03)00048-7
  • Jalal, A., Júnior, E.F. and Teixeira Filho, M.C.M., 2024. Interaction of zinc mineral nutrition and plant growth-promoting bacteria in tropical agricultural systems: a review. Plants, 13(5), p.571. https://doi.org/10.3390/plants13050571
Statistics
Article View: 184
PDF Download: 135


Journal Management System. Powered by iJournalPro.com