Dependance of sunflower (Helianthes annus L.) on VA-mycorrhizal consortium in a sewage-sludge ammended wasteland soil.

ANUPAMA RATTAN¹, SP CHAUHAN², & ALOK ADHOLEYA¹.

¹Microbial Biotechnology, Tata Energy Res Inst, Habitat Place, Lodi Road, New Delhi 110003, INDIA, ² Center for studies in Microbilogy, Jiwaji University, Gwalior, INDIA.

A field trail was conducted to determine the effect of applied sewage sludge along with AM innoculation on the growth and yeild of sunflower (Helianthus annus cv morden) in a nutrient deficient sandy loam soil. Maximum growth response and shoot P uptake was observed at 24 ppm Olsen P level. There was no significant difference in total seed yeild above this level. colonizationwas negatively correlated to soil P but positively correlated with shoot P content. Maximum mycorrhizal dependency (MD) was found to be 42% at 24ppm Olsen P level under the experimental conditions.Reduction of MD above 24ppm P level showed that the plants requirment for the external P has been achieved. The applicability of VAM in sewage sludge ammended soils would be discussed.

Key words: Helianthes annus, Sewage sludge, VAM-consortium