Synergistic Effects of Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi Inoculation and Foliar Micronutrient Combinations on Yield, Biomass, and Grain Biofortification of Lowland Rice (Oryza sativa L.)
Keywords:
arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi, biofortification, foliar micronutrients, lowland rice, zincAbstract
Lowland rice (Oryza sativa L.) production in sub-Saharan Africa is constrained by micronutrient deficiencies and poor nutrient use efficiency in paddy soils. Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) inoculation and foliar micronutrient application are recognized as sustainable approaches to improve crop nutrition; however, their combined effects on yield and grain biofortification in West African lowland rice remain insufficiently studied. This study evaluated the independent and interactive effects of AMF inoculation and foliar micronutrient combinations on yield, biomass, and nutrient content of lowland rice (NERICA L-19). A screen-house pot experiment was conducted at the Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta, Nigeria, using a Completely Randomized Design in a 2 × 5 factorial arrangement: two AMF levels (inoculated with Rhizophagus irregularis and uninoculated) and five foliar treatments (Control, Zn+Fe, Fe+Mn, Zn+Mn, Zn+Fe+Mn at 0.5%), with three replications. Data were subjected to two-way ANOVA. AMF inoculation treatment was associated with significantly increased culm weight, root weight, total biomass, panicle number, and grain phosphorus uptake; root colonisation was not quantified, so these effects should be attributed to inoculation rather than confirmed AMF activity. The Zn+Fe+Mn treatment produced the highest values across most parameters. The AMF × Zn+Fe+Mn interaction resulted in maximum grain weight (12.3 g), grains per panicle (181.5), and increased grain N, P, and Zn concentrations. Grain weight showed exploratory positive associations with grain Mn and grains per panicle across treatment means (n=10); these patterns should be interpreted with caution. In conclusion, the combined application of AMF and Zn+Fe+Mn foliar treatment enhanced yield, biomass accumulation, and grain nutrient enrichment. This integrated nutrient management strategy shows promise for improving productivity and nutritional quality of lowland rice in micronutrient-deficient soils; field-level validation is required before broad production recommendations can be made.
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