Effect of mycorrhiza inoculation with different cover crops on soil carbon content and main crop growth in the improvement of soils with decreased fertility due to cultural treatments

Despite the deterioration of soil quality after the intensified monoculture agriculture due to the increasing food demand, considering that the combined application of cover crops and mycorrhizal fungi will increase soil organic carbon and nitrogen content, and thus soil biological quality and plant development will increase, which can be an effective strategy for sustainable agriculture. The study was carried out in Çukurova University, Faculty of Agriculture, Soil Science and Plant Nutrition Department Research and Application Greenhouses with 3 replications by inoculating 3 different mycorrhizas on 5 different cover crop patterns in 3 different problematic soils. The study was carried out in a 3-stage rotation. In the first rotation experiment, five different plant patterns such as A (Clover, Grass, Onion), B (Broad Bean, Grass, Safflower), C (Clover, Grass, Safflower, Broad Bean, Onion), D (Maize) and E (wheat) were planted in to 5 kg soil contained pots and the seeds of the plants were planted according to the determined seed amount per m2. The second rotation was carried out by planting maize (Zea mays L.) on A, B, C, D applications after the harvest of the previous trial, and wheat was planted on the E plant pattern. In the third rotation trial, wheat plants were planted in all pots after the harvested maize and wheat plants. It was also determined that maize plants developed better as the first main crop in the multi-cover crop planted environment, and the nutrient element content of the plants increased with mycorrhiza inoculation. Maize growth on A, B and C cover crops produced 9-14% higher dry matter in pots inoculated with Funneliformis mosseae compared to reference maize-maize planted pots dry weight, and between7-16% higher dry matter with natural mycorrhiza inoculation. Similarly, in all three soils, cover crops produced between 33-154% higher dry matter in the range of 33-154% as C>B>A patterns. However, the second main plant, wheat, developed less in the maize-planted pots and better in the wheat-planted pots due to the seasonal effect of the previous period. In the third rotation, when the wheat experiment results were examined, the morphological characteristics of the wheat plant, mineral element concentrations in plant tissues and soil nutrients such as C and N concentrations were analyzed. In general, Fu.mosseae and natural mycorrhiza applications increased plant growth more compared to control applications, respectively. Within the plant groups, the plant pattern of the E application, where planted 3 consecutive wheat results showed more stable development within its own rotation axis. While plants showed better growth in Havutlu and Arık soils out of the 3 different problematic soils used in the rotation experiment, plant growth and mineral element content were measured at lower levels in Avadan soil, which was eroded, had high lime content and pH, and low fertility. Concentrations of N, OC and Zn from plant nutrients in the soil were determined to be higher in Havutlu and Arık soils and lower in Avadan soil. In general, when cover crops are considered, wheat plant development and soil data (N, OC, P and Zn), are planted on selected Fu. mosseae infected with E and C group applications were measured as higher than other applications. When the obtained soil and plant data are analyzed, it is seen that the project hypothesis is partially supported. In order to apply the results of the research to practical life, it is important to test the studies with field trials over longer periods. Key Words: Cover crops, Mycorrhizal inoculation, Wheat, Maize, soil organic carbon