VESICULAR ARBUSCULAR MYCORRHIZAL SPORE POPULATIONS IN VARIOUS SASKATCHEWAN SOILS AND THE EFFECT OF INOCULATION WITH Glomus mosseae ON FABA BEAN GROWTH IN GREENHOUSE AND FIELD TRIALS

Abstract

The numbers of vesicular arbuscular mycorrhizal spores in various Saskatchewan soils, and the effect of Glomus mosseae inoculation on the growth of faba beans (Vicia faba) were studied. The size of the mycorrhizal spore population varied from site to site, but in general, more spores were found in undisturbed soils than in adjacent cultivated soils. Practices which reduced the density of potential host roots also reduced the numbers of spores found in the soil. Inoculation of faba beans with G. mosseae spores resulted in increased dry matter production both in growth chamber and field studies in the presence of indigenous mycorrhizal spores. Inoculation also resulted in higher levels of root colonization and increased total phosphorus uptake. Key words: Mycorrhizae, faba bean, phosphorus, spore, colonization, soil