Effect of vermicompost and selected plant preparations on the development of arbuscular mycorrhizal symbiosis in lettuce (Lactuca sativa)

Abstract

The aim of the pot experiment was to evaluate effect of vermicompost and promoting plant preparations application (Symbivit and Plantaktiv) on the development of arbuscular mycorrhizal symbiosis in lettuce, amount of extraradical mycelium of mycorrhizal fungi in soil and plant biomass production. Symbivit contains six species of mycorrhizal fungi and Plantaktiv contains magnesium sulfate activated by oxygen promoting activity of aerobic microorganisms in the soil. The application of vermicompost and promoting plant preparations did not have a statistically significant effect on lettuce root colonization by mycorrhizal fungi. The greatest length of extraradical mycelium was observed in variant with vermicompost application, in variant with addition of vermicompost and Symbivit, and in variant with vermicompost applied with both plant preparations. There was detected statistically significant difference when compared to control variant. Dry matter weight of aboveground biomass and root of the lettuce were statistically significantly increased in all variants, where vermicompost was applied, either alone or in combination with plant preparations. Separate application of Symbivit or Plantaktiv did not have a statistically significant effect either on the length of extraradical mycelium or dry matter weight of the lettuce.