JWSS - Journal of Water and Soil Science

Synergistic relationships between mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) and organic compounds affect the mobility of the micronutrient elements in the rhizosphere and improve their bioavailability. In order to evaluate the effect of biochar and pruning waste compost of apple and grape trees, as well as AMF, on micronutrient bioavailability in calcareous soil at the wheat rhizosphere, an experiment was carried out in a completely randomized design under greenhouse conditions in a rhizobox study. Some factors including the organic sourses (pruning waste biochar, pruning waste compost and control), microbial inoculation (AMF and no inoculation) were considered. At the end of the growth period, Organic matter (OM) content and bioavailability of micronutrients including iron (Fe), Zinc (Zn), Copper (Cu) and Manganese (Mn) in the rhizosphere and their uptake by wheat plant were determined. The results indicated that OM, Fe, Zn, Mn and Cu were significantly increased in the rhizosphere soil under the influence of organic sources and mycorrhizal inoculation. Furthermore, biochar application in the mycorrhizal tratment resulted in 74.73% and 19.28% increase in Fe and Mn, as compared to non-inoculated conditions, in rhizosphere. The presence of mycorrhizal fungi increased the bioavailability of 94.66% and 29.54% Zn and Cu in the compost treatment, as compared to non-inoculated ones. Application of organic sources and mycorrhizal inoculation increased the micronutrient uptake and plant dry weight.