Influence of rooting media on mycorrhizal development and nutrient contents in marigold

An experiment was carried in factorial concept with two factors i.e., varieties at two levels and rooting media at eight levels thus making 16 combinations which were replicated twice. The effect of varieties, rooting media and their interactions were found to be significant on different mycorrhizal and nutrient content parameters. Among the rooting media, the maximum mycorrhizal spore count in root zone (197) was recorded by M₈ - soil : vermicompost : coco peat : saw dust (1:1:1:1) v/v + mycorrhiza on par with M₆ - soil : vermicompost : coco peat : rice husk (1:1:1:1) v/v + mycorrhiza (186). Relative Microbial Dependency Index was also observed to be higher with the above media. The highest nitrogen uptake (136.09 kg ha^–1) was recorded by M₆ - soil : vermicompost : coco peat : rice husk (1:1:1:1) v/v + mycorrhiza followed by M₈ - soil : vermicompost : coco peat : saw dust (1:1:1:1) v/v + mycorrhiza (135.47 kg ha^–1) followed by M₄ - soil : vermicompost : coco peat (1:1:1) v/v + mycorrhiza (113.76 kg ha^–1). The lowest nitrogen uptake was observed for M₁ - soil. (57.69 kg/ha).