Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungus enhances crop yield and P-uptake of maize (Zea mays L.): A field case study on a sandy loam soil as affected by long-term P-deficiency fertilization

The P efficiency, crop yield, and response of maize to arbuscular mycorrhizal fungus (AMF) Glomus caledonium were tested in an experimental field with long-term (18-year) fertilizer management. The experiment included five fertilizer treatments: organic amendment (OA), half organic amendment plus half mineral fertilizer (1/2 OM), mineral fertilizer NPK, mineral fertilizer NK, and the control (without fertilization). AMF inoculation responsiveness (MIRs) of plant growth and P-uptake of maize were estimated by comparing plants grown in unsterilized soil inoculated with G. caledonium and in untreated soil containing indigenous AMF. Soil total P, available P, microbial biomass P, alkaline phosphatase activity, plant biomass, crop yield and total P-uptake of maize were all significantly increased (P < 0.05) by the application of OA, 1/2 OM, and NPK, but not by the application of NK. Specifically, the individual crop yield of maize approached zero in the NK-fertilized soils, as well as in the control soils. All maize plants were colonized by indigenous AMF, and the root colonization at harvest time was not significantly influenced by fertilization. G. caledonium inoculation increased mycorrhizal colonization significantly (P < 0.05) only with the NK treatment, and produced low but demiurgic crop yield in the control and NK-fertilized soils. Compared to the inoculation in balanced-fertilized soils, G. caledonium inoculation in either the NK-fertilized soils or the control soils had significantly greater (P < 0.05) impacts on soil alkaline phosphatase activity, stem length, plant biomass, and total P-uptake of maize, indicating that AMF inoculation was likely more efficient in extremely P-limited soils. These results also showed that balanced mineral fertilizers and organic amendments did not differ significantly in their effects on MIRs in these soils.