Screening of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungal consortia developed from the rhizospheres of natural and cultivated tea plants for growth promotion in tea [Camellia sinensis (L.) O. Kuntze]

SummarySoil-based arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungal consortia were developed from the soil of natural tea rhizosphere (NTR) and cultivated tea rhizosphere (CTR) located in the Indian Himalayan region. Plant growth promotion following inoculation with these consortia was studied. Bioassays were conducted under greenhouse conditions using maize and wheat as test plants. Both treatments (NTR and CTR) significantly increased the growth of maize and wheat plants to different degrees. A subsequent bioassay was conducted with tea [Camellia sinensis (L.) O. Kuntze] plants. Both AM fungal consortia were found to promote growth of tea plants significantly in non-sterilized acidic soil. Data suggest that crude consortia can promote plant growth; more efficiently in case of AM fungal consortia developed from NTR compared to CTR where cultural practices can reduce the potential of native AM fungi. The NTR consortium has significant potential as a biofertilizer in tea plantations of colder regions.