Interactions between Mycorrhizal Fungi, Tea Wastes, and Algal Biomass Affecting the Microbial Community, Soil Structure, and Alleviating of Salinity Stress in Corn Yield (Zea mays L.)

Abstract

Soil salinity has an adverse impact on soil biological properties and growth of corn plant, majorly in arid and semi-arid lands. A mesocosm experiment was conducted to investigate the effect of mycorrhizal fungi (M) (Glomus mosseae), tea wastes (T), algal dried biomass (A), and their combinations on soil respiration, total bacteria, total fungi, soil mean weight diameter (MWD), and corn yield (Zea mays L.). under saline and non-saline soils. Results showed that M, T, and A treatments increased significantly CO2 release compared to the control. Whereas, M significantly decreased CO2 release compared to T and A treatments. In non-saline soil, M increased greatly MWD, bacterial and fungal counts, and infection rate. Whereas, the opposite was true in the saline soil; neither M nor T improved bacterial communities and MWD. However, in the saline soil, M + T was highly efficient in improving MWD, SOC, bacterial and fungal counts, infection rate, and corn grain yield. It can be suggested that the inoculation of mycorrhizal fungi with tea wastes in saline soils considered an important strategy that increases the toleration of the corn plant to salinity by improving soil microbial activity, MWD, SOC, infection rate, and total grain yield.

Salt-Tolerant Compatible Microbial Inoculants Modulate Physio-Biochemical Responses Enhance Plant Growth, Zn Biofortification and Yield of Wheat Grown in Saline-Sodic Soil

“…Salt stress in plants is a cumulative effect of osmotic and ionic stresses which negatively affects plant growth and yield. Researchers have shown that multiple genes are involved in the salt tolerance mechanism in several plant species [ 70 , 109 , 110 ]. They have been reported to be involved in signal transduction, ion transporters, transcription regulation and metabolic pathways [ 37 , 38 , 111 , 112 ].…”

Unlocking the Potential of Agrifood Waste for Sustainable Innovation in Agriculture

“…Crops treated with phytohormones and amino acids showed significant effects on their productivity [130,139]. For example, using apple seed extract, rapeseed extract, and rice husk waste as biomass to obtain PB, and then applied to the crops, increased the ascorbic acid in kiwi; this vitamin is essential for maintaining human heath [129].…”

Factors, Harms, and Control of Corn Kernel Breakage: A Review

“…However, despite treatment with high temperatures or other means, the fungal damage to grain can only be suppressed, not eliminated [135]. The reason is that, on the one hand, microorganisms can be transmitted and infected to grain through various media such as air, dust, rodents, insects and mites, tools and so on [136]; on the other hand, microorganisms have a significant characteristic of fast growth and reproduction [137].…”