Effect of Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi (AMF) on Shoot and Root Development of Black Pepper (Piper nigrum Linn.) Rooted Cuttings

A study was conducted to identify the effect of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi AMF (Funneliformis mosseae) infection on growth of black pepper (Piper nigrum Linn.) rooted cuttings. This experiment comprised of three inoculum rates (75g, 100g, and 150g of sorghum root-soil mixture containing Funneliformis mosseae) per 2kg of soil as well as two cultivars namely Panniyur-1 and GK49. Shoot and root parameters were studied using destructive samples of inoculated rooted cuttings. Applications of 75g of inoculum enhanced root and shoot growth of pepper significantly. The impact of inoculation was significant on Panniyur-1. Increasing the rate of inoculum inhibited growth of pepper due to parasitic effects of mycorrhiza. The significant growth improvement at only 75g of inoculum rate indicated the need for further studies on inoculum rate prior to the recommendation of the current AMF source available for commercial pepper nurseries in tropical regions.