Rate of hyphal spread of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi from pigeon pea to finger millet and their contribution to plant growth and nutrient uptake in experimental microcosms

Intercropping is a sustainable agroecological tool known to provide multiple benefits farmers. Several studies have shown that arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) play key role for the improved grain yields in intercropping systems through facilitative nutrient and water uptake via common network (CMN), yet little on rate of hyphal spread. Here we hypothesized AMF species differ extraradical hyphae spread from one plant another, thereby affecting growth intercropped plants. To test our hypothesis, established experimental microcosms greenhouse, which pigeon pea (Cajanus cajan) two finger millet (Eleusine coracana) plantlets were kept separate pots, connected by soil bridges 5 or 12 cm length, inaccessible roots but accessible fungal hyphae. The plants pre-inoculated with Claroideoglomus etunicatum, Rhizophagus fasciculatus irregularis. All three led strong promotion compared uninoculated control short more than doubled biomass pea. as well phosphorus content millets differed length bridge AMF. By applying 15N isotopes pots revealed both lengths R. C. etunicatum transported nitrogen across distances up irregularis did not. Furthermore, destructive sampling, estimated 4.1 mm d−1 bridge. We conclude row distance between crops choice crucial application biofertilizer.