Effect of Mycorrhiza Inoculation and Biochar Application on Phosphorus Availability, Growth, and Yield of Sorghum and Some Soil Chemical Properties

In order to investigate the role of mycorrhiza inoculation and Biochar application on the phosphorus availability, growth, and yield of sorghum and some chemical properties of soil, a pot experiment were conducted as a factorial experiment in completely randomized design, with three replications. In this research, application effects of biochar (0 and 1.5 % by weight), mycorrhiza (inoculation and non-inoculation of mycorrhiza fungi) and phosphorous (four levels of triple superphosphate: 0, 55, 110, and 165 mg .kg-1 soil) on sorghum were studied. The results showed that phosphorus and biochar application significantly (P<0.01) increased foliage and roots weights, roots volume, and also nitrogen, phosphorous and potassium uptake. Furthermore, the application of phosphorus in combination with biochar and inoculation of plant roots with mycorrhiza increased the above-mentioned traits to a higher level. Application of phosphorus or biochar alone increased soil salinity, but their combined application together with the plant root inoculation using mycorrhiza decreased it. Application of phosphorus decreased soil organic carbon, whereas biochar and mycorrhiza significantly increased it. The maximum dry foliage (24.4 g.pot-1) and the maximum phosphorous uptake (79.9 mg.pot-1) were obtained from combined application of mycorrhiza, biochae and 55 mg.kg-1 triple superphosphate. The results showed that biochar and or mycorrhiza application affect the amount of phosphorus consumed[H1] , but it should be noted that prolonged use of biochar could increase soil salinity.