ptake of micronutrients affected by earthworms (Eisenia fetida) and arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (Funneliformis mosseae) interaction in Zea mays

This study was conducted to evaluate the effect of earthworms (Eisenia fetida) and arbuscular mycorrhiza fungi (F. mosseae) as well as their interactions on the root colonization, soil pH and soil dissolved organic carbon and nutrient concentration of iron, zinc, copper and manganese in maize. Experimental treatments included control, earthworm, mycorrhiza and earthworm + mycorrhiza was conducted in a completely randomized design in research greenhouse of Ferdowsi University of Mashhad with three replications. The results showed that the presence of earthworms in mycorrhiza + earthworm treatment had no significant effect on mycorrhizal root colonization compared with mycorrhiza treatment. The experimental treatments significantly reduced soil pH compared to the control treatment. Although experimental treatments significantly increased shoot dry weight, dissolved organic carbon and availability of iron, copper, zinc and manganese in the soil compared to control, however, it had a different effect on nutrient uptake by the plant. The highest concentration of Zn and Mn in shoot was obtained in mycorrhiza treatment that was statistically significant compared to other treatments (p