Abstract
The effect of rhizobial inoculation, vesicular arbuscular mycorrhizal (VAM) fungi on the growth, P, N and Fe uptake by faba-bean plants (Vicia faba L.V. Giza 2) grown in virgin sandy soil, treated with super or rock-P were studied under green-house conditions. The earthern pots received a half of the recommended rate of P either as single super phosphate or rock-P in the rate of 20 mg P/kg soil, and calcium ammonium nitrate was added in the rate of 10 mg N/kg soil. Iron was applied in two levels 0 and 5 mg Fe/kg soil, in the form of iron sulphate (FeS04·7H20). Dry matter yield, as well as P, N and Fe-uptake were determined. Nodule numbers and their dry weights, spore numbers and mycorrhizal root infection were determined. Results indicated that, fungal infection and rhizobial inoculation either alone or in combination increased dry matter yield as compared to uninoculated plants, whereas the percentages increase in dry matter were 34, 26 and 57% in case of super-P application, while they were 56, 47 and 89% in case of rock-P when inoculated with Rhizobium, VAM and dual inoculation respectively. Also P, N and Fe uptake were significantly increased due to inoculation, and dual inoculation resulted the highest effect. Generally, inoculation with Rhizobium and/or mycorrhizae can remove the deficient effect of P and Fe on N2-fixation and plant growth in the soil of low nutrients content.