Effect of VAM Fungi and Rhizobium on Growth of Acacia nilotica in Sodic and New Forest Soils

Plant growth response in Acacia nilotica on inoculation with a VAM fungus and Rhizobium in sodic and New Forest soils were studied under greenhouse conditions. Inoculation with an ubiquitous VAM fungus, Glomus macrocarpum, resulted in height improvement from 17.8 per cent in sodic soil to 50.5 per cent in amended sodic soil (3:1) ratio in seven months over control. A significant increase of 166.7 percent in biomass (dry) was observed with VAM Significant differences in growth parameters were observed in New Forest (normal) soil in different inoculation treatments as compared to sodic soil. Amendment of sodic soil with New Forest soil in the ratio of (1:1) and inoculation with VAM was found to promote growth.