Study Effect of Biochare, Earthworms and Mycorrhizal Fungi on Cauliflower Plant Growth and Some Soil Characters

Abstract

The study aimed to determine the effect of different concentrations of biochare and there interaction with the mycorrhizal fungus Funneliformis mosseae and Earthworms Eisenia Fetida on growth of Cauliflower plant Brassica oleracea var. botrytis L. plant cultivated in plastic pots. The results of the study showed that there were changes in the properties of the studied soil, including organic matter, electrical conductivity, and the soil content of available phosphorus and potassium. However, the soil texture did not undergo any change, in addition to a decrease in the soil acidity compared to the control treatment. As for the effect of the presence of earthworms and biochare on mycorrhizal fungi, the results showed that the percentage of infection of cauliflower roots with mycorrhizal fungi increased, ranging from 60% to 100% in the interaction treatments compared to the mycorrhizal fungi only treatment, which was 20%. As for the severity of root infection with mycorrhizal fungi, it decreased in the interaction treatments of mycorrhizal fungi with earthworms and biochare , where it ranged from 23.33% to 42%, with the exception of the interaction treatment of mycorrhizal fungi with 2 gm of biochare, which was 56.66%, while the mycorrhizal fungi treatment was 50%. The results also showed that all treatments increased vegetative growth characteristics of cauliflower, including plant height, stem diameter, number of leaves, leaf area, and fresh and dry vegetative weight, as well as root growth characteristics, including root length and fresh and dry weight of the root system, compared to the control treatment without fertilizer. The results of this study contribute to environmental sustainability and soil conservation by reducing the use of chemicals as fertilizers.