EFFECT OF ARBUSCULAR MYCORRHIZAL FUNGI, NPK COMPLETE FERTILIZERS ON GROWTH AND CONCENTRATION NUTRIENTS OF ACCLIMATIZED DATE PALM PLANTLETS

This work was done in 2008-2009 seasons to study the positive effects of Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi on growth and absorption of macro and micro elements by plantlets of date palm (Phoenix dactylifera L.cv Bartomouda). Plantlets were produced via tissue culture technique. One year after acclimatization stage, the roots of potted plantlets were inoculated with arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (Glomus spore), they were fertilized with NPK (Krestalon) complete fertilizers (19-19-19) with three different levels, i.e. 1.5, 2.0 and 2.5 g/l, in addition to control treatment. Plantlets were weekly fertilized for eight month during two seasons. The results of both seasons indicated that of inoculation mycorrhizal fungi induced positive effects of growth and minerals content. The addition of 2.5 g/l NPK had the highest significant values of plant height (cm), number of leaves/ plantlet, length of root (cm), and number of roots/plantlet as compared to control treatment. Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi showed a network of hyphae around roots which might increase water, macro and micro nutrients the absorption through increasing the absorption surface area. The results also revealed that there were significant differences among different NPK treatments on various growth parameters and minerals contents. Nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, Fe, Zn, Mn and Cu, were significantly increased with the three applications all studied fertilized levels. These data showed that the inoculation of mycorrhizal had positive effects on absorption of macro and micro minerals which could be reflected on photosynthesis and this was appeared in the form of new leaves and roots of the plants (growth), also the application of soil with mycorrhiza had decreased the dose of fertilizers were used in the culture which to be inverted to the economic cultures.