Evaluation of Shubhodoya Mycorrhizal Bio-fertilizer for Enhancing Rooting of Nursery Tea Plants.

Abstract

Bio-fertilizers have not been exploited in Kenya on tea production despite benefits demonstrated
in many crops. The bio-fertilizers are organisms that enrich nutrient soil quality. Plants have
beneficial relationships with such organisms. Shubhodoya mycorrhizal bio-fertilizer is a consortium
of three different species of Glomus mycorrhizal fungus, produced in laboratory under sterile
conditions. They are cultured and used for inoculating seed or soil or both under ideal conditions
to increase availability of plant nutrients. A nursery experiment was conducted to evaluate the
efficacy of Shubhodaya mycorrhizal bio-fertilizer (SMB) in enhancing growth of two tea clones,
TRFK 306 and EPK TN14-3. Different rates of SMB (0.6g, 0.9g, and 1.2g), standard treatment
(6g diammonium phosphate) and control (no fertilizer) were laid out in randomized complete
block design. Sleeved seedlings with the soil were randomly sampled from the nursery for
analysis of soil pH, assessment of growth parameters and mycorrhizal colonization were
conducted. Root samples were used to determine dry weight and to conduct assays for VAM
infection. The SMB did not have adverse effects on soil pH in the nursery. Plants subjected to the
DAP treatment all died after weeks 27. Increasing application of SMB rates and frequency
increased shoot growth. SMB at 1.2 g exhibited the lowest shoots dry weight while SMB at 0.6
and 0.9g had the highest. After 62 weeks from planting, there was an abrupt increase in shoot dry
weight. Successful colonization of tea roots with inoculation of SMB was also observed. SMB
colonized the tea roots an indication that it has potential for exploitation.