Effect of tree shade on nodulation, arbuscular mycorrhizal colonization and growth of pea in Dalbergia sissoo Roxb based agroforestry system

Abstract

Effect of tree shade on nodulation, arbuscular mycorrhizal colonization and growth of pea (Pisum stivum L.) was studied in Dalbergia sissoo based agroforestry system. The results showed that number of nodules and arbuscular mycorrhizal colonization in pea roots were significantly more in open as compared to their respective values under tree shade. Dry shoot weight was adversely affected by tree shade. The differences in root and shoot length, and root dry weights in open and under tree shade were non-significant. The scientific data indicated that it will be of paramount importance to study effect of different light intensities on efficacy of different bio-fertilizers such as rhizobium, phosphorus solubulising bacteria and arbuscular mycorrhizae.