Effects of Nitrogen Levels and Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi on Biomass Production, Mineral Nutrition, Sugar and Total Phenolic Content of Two Zea mays Cultivars

The effects of two nitrogen levels and AM fungi inoculation on nutrient assimilation and some biochemical compounds of two Zea mays varieties were studied. Plants varieties (CMS8704 and POP66RS) were grown in pots with two nitrogen levels and AM fungi inoculation for 82 days. Plants grown under Low N condition showed significant reduction in biomass production, N and P uptake. POP66RS cultivar proved to be more efficient than CMS8704 under nitrogen deficiency environment, which was reflected by increased chlorophyll rate and carbohydrates content. However, under AM fungi CMS8704 variety show better performance than POP66RS variety. Significant increase in plant dry weights, P and N uptake were recorded following AM inoculation. AM fungi positively influences phenolic compounds while it decreases the soluble carbohydrates and total chlorophyll under low and high N, for the two cultivars. Evaluating such parameters in plant during it growth in fill could be further exploited for maize selection.