Current Journal of Applied Science and Technology

Litchi (Litchi chinensis Sonn.), is delicious juicy fruit of India having excellent nutritional quality. It has a great potential to earn foreign exchange in the national and international market through export. Slow plant growth and high rate of mortality in initial stage of plant establishment are the major problem of litchi. Increasing photosynthetic activity through exploiting photosynthetic, components are major target. The carotenoid and chlorophyll content are one of the major components that affect the photosynthetic activity of plant. Arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi are beneficial symbiotic soil microorganisms and AM technology can find its potential application in the nursery of horticultural industry. When AM fungi have been successfully applied to many wood fruit tree species, little information is available in litchi. Therefore, the pot experiment was undertaken to study the influence of phosphorus (50 mg and 75 mg), mycorrhiza (G. mosseae and G. coronatum) alone and in combination. The treatment significantly influenced the changes in chlorophyll and carotenoid content in leaves of litchi samplings in nursery stage. After 120 days of inoculation both the species of mycorrhiza alone and in combination with phosphorus application were very effective with the highest level of total chlorophyll content of (2.474 mg/g fr. wt) in case T₅ G. mosseae 10 g + Phosphorus 50 mg. Significantly lowest value of chlorophyll was noted in T₀ Control (2.090 mg/g fr.wt). Carotenoid content was also measured maximum in T₅ G. mosseae 10 g + Phosphorus 50 mg (0.154 mg/g fr. wt.) as compare to T₀ Control with (0.065 mg/g fr. wt.). Relative water content (RWC) after 60, 90 and 120 DAI significantly differentiate. Maximum RWC in case T₅ G. mosseae 10 g + Phosphorus 50 mg (31.43%) which was statistically equal with G. coronatum 10 g + P 50 mg (31.14%). Significantly influencing specific leaf weight at different date of observations. The performance was maximum found in T₅ G. mosseae 10 g + Phosphorus 50 mg (7.28%) as compare to T₀ control (4.44%). Significant effect of treatments on leaf parameters of litchi layers pertaining number of leaves per flush and length of flush is maximum with T₅ G. mosseae 10 g + Phosphorus 50 mg (5 - 8) and (10.2 cm).