BIOLOGICAL FERTILIZATION OF IRRIGATED RICE IN THE FAR NORTH OF CAMEROON

In order to increase rice production while preserving the environment we tested the influence of some inocula on the growth of two irrigated rice varieties in the presence and absence of chemical fertilizer. The study showed that arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi accelerate the germination rate and increase the emergence rate of rice seeds. In addition inoculation with mycorrhizal biofertilizers significantly increased the size of rice plants. The best performing inocula for germination rate are Tropic Mix and Glomus clarum. The experimental inocula performed best for seed emergence rate plant height and fresh and dry biomass. FKR56 was the variety that developed better performance compared to IR46. We also find that growing rice in the presence of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi and chemical fertilizer does not significantly differ from growing it with arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi alone.