INTERPLAY BETWEEN ARBUSCULAR MYCORRHIZAL FUNGI AND POULTRY MANURE ON GROWTH AND YIELD OF SOYBEAN (GLYCINE MAX (L) MERILL) UNDER SCREENHOUSE CONDITIONS

A pot experiment was carried out at the University of Ibadan, Oyo State Nigeria using the Completely randomize design to study the growth of soybean (Glycine max L.) as affected by mycorrhizal species and poultry manure interplay under screenhouse conditions. The treatments include five levels of mycorrhizal inoculum, and two levels of poultry manure. Data collected include plant height, number of leaves, number of branches, leaf area and biomass yield. Analysis of variance was carried out on all data and means were separated using the Duncan’s multiple range test at p < 0.05.  Glomus gigaspora with 12.5g poultry manure, Glomus gigaspora with sole 6.25g poultry manure significantly enhanced the growth of soybean. Fresh and dry biomass of soybean were also significantly enhanced by Glomus deserticola with 12.5g poultry manure. Number of seeds / pot and grain yield/pot were significantly enhanced when compared with the control. Mycorrhizal spore count in the soil at harvest were significantly different with highest spore observed under Glomus clarum and the least under control. This study conclude that mycorrhizal species-poultry manure combination vary in their effect on the growth and yield of soybean.