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Plant Science Today (PST)

Research Articles

Early Access

Effect of mycorrhizal fungi inoculation, phosphate fertilisation and gypsum percentage on the uptake of nutrients in sorghum (Sorghum bicolor L.)

DOI
https://doi.org/10.14719/pst.14190
Submitted
22 February 2026
Published
12-11-2026

Abstract

This study examined the individual and interactive effects of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) inoculation, phosphorus (P) fertilisation and gypsum levels on nutrient uptake and growth of Sorghum bicolor L. in gypsiferous soils under pot conditions. A factorial experiment was conducted with two gypsum levels (5 % and 25 %), four P rates (0, 80, 160 and 240 kg P ha-1) and two AMF treatments (with and without inoculation). The AMF inoculation significantly enhanced nitrogen (N), P and potassium (K) concentrations and uptake at both 30 and 80 days after emergence, with higher relative increases at early stages. The N uptake increased by 76.85 % and 21.78 %, P uptake by 93.9 % and 38.4 % K uptake by 66.66 % and 31.55 % at 30 and 80 days, respectively. The AMF also increased Fe and Zn concentrations at 80 days by 28.37 % and 19.5 %. Phosphorus fertilisation improved macronutrient accumulation, with the highest N, P and K uptake at 240 kg P ha-1, particularly under 5 % gypsum. Moderate P levels (80–160 kg P ha-1) were optimal for Fe and Zn concentrations. High gypsum content (25 %) reduced both macro and micronutrient uptake compared with 5 % gypsum. Significant two- and three-way interactions among AMF, P and gypsum were observed, with the combination of AMF inoculation, 240 kg P ha-1 and 5 % gypsum resulting in the highest macronutrient uptake. Soil available P decreased in AMF treatments, likely due to increased plant uptake. These findings suggest that integrating AMF inoculation with appropriate P fertilisation under moderate gypsum conditions enhances nutrient acquisition efficiency in sorghum grown on gypsiferous soils.

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