Sugarcane Roots Dynamics Inoculated with Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi on Dry Land

Background and Objective: A conclusive technical solution is necessary to enhance roots ability to support the growth and yield of sugarcane on dry land because of limitations of water and nutrients.This study aimed to determine the effect of timing of mycorrhizal application to infection and root growth dynamics.Materials and Methods: Seedlings of five clones were transplanted in the field and applied with mycorrhiza at different timing consisting of the nursery, planting time and without mycorrhiza.The parameters of infection percentage, total root length, root surface area, root diameter, root dry weight, root:shoot dry weight ratio and the weight of millable cane were evaluated using analysis of variance based on 5×3 factorials completely randomized design followed by Duncanʼs multiple range test with p<0.01 as the post hoc.The relationship between millable cane weight and root parameters was analyzed using step-wise regression.Results: The application of mycorrhiza in the nursery significantly increased (p<0.01) the highest infection percentage by reaching 86.3% compared with the controls.The application of mycorrhiza in nurseries significantly increased (p<0.01) the length of roots, root surface area, root diameter, root dry weight and significantly increased (p<0.05) the root:shoots dry weight ratio except for KK clones.The root surface area, root diameter and root:shoots dry weight ratio positively determined the weight of millable cane. Conclusion:The application of mycorrhizal inoculum in the nursery has a higher root infection percentage at the early growth on dry land and it improves the root traits and weight of millable cane.