Sustainable practices utilizing arbuscular mycorrhizae and struvite for enhanced growth of Solanum melongena L.
1Department of Chemistry, College of Engineering and Technology, SRM Institute of Science and Technology, Kattankulathur- 603203, Chengalpattu, Tamil Nadu, India. 2Department of Chemical Engineering, College of Engineering and Technology, SRM Institute of Science and Technology, Kattankulathur- 603203, Chengalpattu, Tamil Nadu, India. Corresponding e-mail: jeyalakr@srmist.edu.in
DOI: https://doi.org/10.37855/jah.2025.v27i03.85
Full text PDF The use of P fertiliser from secondary P mineral, struvite recovered from waste streams, is often not well understood and can be as effective as commercial P fertilisers with the addition of plant-associated microorganisms. This study examines the synergistic effect of struvite (MgNH4PO4•6H2O), a slow-release phosphorus fertiliser, and mycorrhizae, a biostimulant, on the growth and nutrient uptake in Solanum melongena L. across various growing media. The study comprised twelve distinct treatments, which included various combinations of soil and coco peat, with and without the incorporation of struvite and mycorrhizae. Plant growth parameters, encompassing height, leaf and flower count, stem girth, and yield, were systematically monitored from 30 to 120 days and subsequently analysed using ANOVA (p < 0.05) followed by DMRT at a 5% level. Although mycorrhizae implementation improved productivity in cocopeat from 9% to 27%, nearly 130%, the lowest P residual was found in T8, which produced a yield of S. melongena that was better by 88%. Our study suggests that the synergistic action between struvite and AMF contributed to improved fertiliser management.
