Effect of different vam fungi on nodulation, nitrogenase activity and rhizosphere microflora of chickpea

A pot culture experiment was conducted during 1995–1996 and 1996–1997 crop seasons. None of the VAM fungi affected the nodule number, nodule dry weight and nitrogenase activity significantly during any of the crop seasons except Glomus mosseae which increased the nitrogenase activity. Rhizosphere fungal population significantly reduced by inoculation with different VAM fungi, while bacterial and Azotobacter population significantly increased with the mycorrhizal inoculation. Rhizosphere actinomycetes population had no effect by inoculation with mycorrhizal fungi except Glomus mosseae which increased population during 1995–1996 crop season, while G. fasciculatum and G. constrietum increased actinomycetes population during 1996–1997 crop season.