Mycorrhizal symbiosis increases reproduction and seed quality of summer squash in field conditions

Abstract: Phosphorus is one of the most important elements for plant nutrition and mycorrhiza has the capability to improve plant yield by increasing nutrient supply to plants. We studied the effect of presence and absence of mycorrhiza on growth and productivity of summer squash under different phosphorus levels (0, 25, 50, 75 and 100 kg ha^-1) laid out in factorial randomized complete block design. Results showed that with increasing phosphorus fertilizers, fruit number per plant increased while seed number per fruit decreased. In addition, mycorrhiza inoculation with application of 50 kg ha^-1 phosphorus fertilizer had maximum values for root colonization (54.33%), oil (45%) and linoleic acid (68.25%) percentage. Mycorrhiza symbiosis had a direct relationship with summer squash yield. Mycorrhiza acted as good substitute of phosphorus fertilizers. Therefore, it seems that the low rate of phosphorus fertilizer application leads to improved interaction with mycorrhiza.