The salutary impacts of AMF species, rock phosphates (RP), and organic matter (FYM) fertilizers on the development and chemical behavior of Mentha arvensis L.

Abstract

Phosphorus availability from rock phosphate (RP) can be improved through composting with organic manure and phosphate-solubilizing microorganisms in the soil to improve phosphorus status and plant growth in alkaline and calcareous soils of Pakistan. As a result, an experiment was carried out to determine the impact of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) species as biofertilizers on Mentha arvensis when rock phosphate and organic manure (FYM) levels were varied (0%, 50%, and 100%). In M. arvensis, plant growth performance, mycorrhizal dependence values, oil output, mineral, and nutritional analysis, infection, and spore density were evaluated. The experiment was designed with eight RCBD treatments and five replications. Compared to non-inoculated plants, the growth responses of M. arvensis to AM inoculation with rock phosphate and organic manure were pronounced. Mycorrhizal dependencies increased with increasing levels of rock phosphate and organic manure, which were 40.82% and 46.92%, respectively. The results showed that M. arvensis produced a higher percentage of essential oil for AMF inoculation at higher and lower levels of rock phosphate and organic manure. In terms of nutrient uptake by mycorrhizal plants, there were a significant improvement in macro (P, N, K, Mg) and micronutrients (Fe, Cu, and Zn) in all tested mycorrhizal plants compared to non-treated plants. The nutritional value of M. arvensis rises with the amount of fertilizer added. Results proved that as fertility levels rise, the number of spores (150 to 190/100 g of soil) and the percentage of association (70.51 to 95.23%) increase in Mentha arvensis. The findings imply that inoculating plants with AMF might increase phosphorus solubility from rock phosphate and organic manure. Local rock phosphate and organic manure may be used to reduce reliance on expensive commercial synthetic fertilizers while also increasing crop yields.