Comparative effects of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi and mineral fertilization on cotton (Gossypium hirsutum, L.) growth and yield in three Eastern Senegalese Zones

Abstract

Since several decades, despite strategies to improve production using chemical fertilizers, Senegalese cotton cultivation has faced stagnant yields due, among other things, to declining soil fertility. The use of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) as biofertilizers is in increasing trend. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the effect of AMF and four mineral fertilizer levels, either alone or in combination on growth and yield of cotton plants in three contrasting regions of the Senegal cotton basin area. A consortium of five AMF species (M) and mineral fertilizers (F) constituted of a mixture of NPKSB (14-23-14-5-1) at 4 doses (200, 150, 100 and 50 kg/ha) were used in a complete randomized block design leading to ten treatments (M, F200, F150, F100, F50, MF200, MF150, MF100, MF50 and control (C )) in three sites (Koussanar, Dabo and Syllacounda). Results revealed a positive effect of AMF alone and combined with mineral fertilizer on plant growth in Koussanar arid zone ; whereas in the two other humid sites, mineral fertilizer effect was dominant. In Koussanar, MF150, F50 and MF100 increased the yield by 65.52%, 41.38% and 37.93%, respectively. In Dabo, F200, F150, F100, F50 and MF100 increased the yield by 13.72%, 20.41%, 45.49% ; 44.70% and 9.66%, respectively. Finally, in Syllacounda, the F200 to F50 improved yield by 55.2%, 64.8%, 64.8%, 28%, 31.2% ; and MF150 by 13.6%. The findings suggested that the positive effect of AMF on cotton growth and yield could be under the control of many abiotic and biotic factors as soil properties and environmental conditions.