Enhancing Plant Water Relations, Quality, and Productivity of Pea (Pisum sativum L.) through Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi, Inorganic Phosphorus, and Irrigation Regimes in an Himalayan Acid Alfisol

Abstract

The present investigation was carried out at Palampur, India, during 2009–11 to enhance plant water relations and productivity in pea through arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) in a Himalayan acidic Alfisol. The field experiment was replicated three times in a randomized block design comprising 14 treatments involving AMF, inorganic phosphorus (P), irrigation regimes, generalized recommended nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium (NPK) dose and irrigations, and farmers’ practice in the region. The study revealed that treatments involving AMF inoculation along with inorganic P nutrition at varying irrigation regimes led to significantly greater relative leaf water content (2%), xylem water potential (12%), and water-use efficiency (10%), respectively, in comparison with non-AMF inoculated counterparts. Similarly, maximum increase in quality parameters such as total soluble solids (6%), ascorbic acid (6%), and crude protein content (3%) in pea was registered under AMF inoculation involving treatments. Further, AMF-inoculated treatments indicated an economy of about 25% in soil-test-based P dose without impairing crop productivity