Field Evaluation of Mycorrhizal Inoculation on Growth and Nutrient Uptake of Selected Medicinal Plants

Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) form symbiotic associations with the roots of most terrestrial plants and play a crucial role in enhancing plant growth, nutrient acquisition, and stress tolerance. The present field study evaluated the effect of AMF inoculation on growth performance and nutrient uptake of five economically important medicinal plants: Solanum nigrum L., Asparagus racemosus Willd., Andrographis paniculata (Burm. f.) Nees, Aloe vera (L.) Burm. f., and Bacopa monnieri (L.) Pennell. The experiment was conducted under field conditions using a randomized block design with mycorrhizal-inoculated and non-inoculated control treatments. Growth parameters, biomass accumulation, and macro-nutrient uptake (N, P, and K) were recorded at harvest. Mycorrhizal inoculation significantly improved plant height, root length, dry biomass, and nutrient uptake across all species, with the highest response observed in Asparagus racemosus and Andrographis paniculata. The results highlight the potential of AMF as an eco-friendly bio-input for sustainable cultivation of medicinal plants.