Influence of Rhizophagus intraradices and phosphorus fertilization on growth, yield and N P content in grain of Phaseolus vulgaris

The impact of Rhizophagus intraradices(RI) interaction with phosphorus fertilization on the yield of Phaseolus vulgaris L. var. Negro Tacaná, and the N and P content in plant tissue and grain were determined. The experiment consisted of six treatments:1) Control, 2) RI, 3) 40 kg.ha⁻¹ of P₂O₅, 4) RI + 40 kg.ha⁻¹ of P₂O₅, 5) RI + 26 kg.ha⁻¹ of P₂O₅, and 6) RI + 13 kg.ha⁻¹ of P₂O₅, using a randomized block design with four replicates. Results probed that inoculation of plants with RI promoted a better health, growth and grain yield. In particular, grain yield inoculated with RI presented similar values as obtained with inorganic fertilization of 40 kg.ha-1 of P₂O₅, indicating that inorganic fertilization can be fully substituted by RI. The use of this technology provides an efficient use of soil nutrients, which is translated into a lower investment for producers.