Impact of mycorrhizal fungi and rhizosphere microorganisms on maize grain yield and chemical composition

Yield and grain characteristics of maize plants grown in open-field conditions were evaluated after inoculation with Micosat F® on two different soils under dry and watered conditions. The mycorrhizal frequency and intensity were higher in inoculated maize (87.8 vs 80.3% and 26.8 vs 17.5%, respectively). The abundance of arbuscules in the root system was also higher in inoculated plants (9.7 vs 5.8%). The treatment did not affect grain yield. Positive effect of Typic Eutrudept soil on grain yield was observed. The irrigation effect on grain yield was evident only under draught conditions. Chemical characteristics of grain did not change substantially according to the experimental treatments; nevertheless, the NIRs indicated some physical differences among mycorrhized and not mycorrhized samples