Effect of Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Strains on Root Uptake of Macronutrients (N, P, K) in the Soils of Sirte City

This study aimed to evaluate the effect of inoculation with seven different strains of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi, in combination with varying levels of phosphate fertilization, on the uptake of macronutrients (nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium) in the root system of maize (Zea mays) under the environmental conditions of Sirte City. The experiment was conducted using a split‑plot design with three replicates, where fungal strains were assigned to the main plots and phosphate fertilizer levels (0, 50, and 100 kg P₂O₅/ha) to the subplots. The results demonstrated that inoculation with mycorrhizal fungi significantly enhanced the uptake of macronutrients compared with the control treatment. Among the tested strains, Rhizophagus intraradices recorded the highest uptake rates across all phosphate fertilization levels. Furthermore, the interaction between mycorrhizal inoculation and phosphate fertilization exhibited a clear synergistic effect in improving nutrient absorption efficiency, underscoring the importance of this biotechnological approach in enhancing crop productivity under the environmental conditions of Sirte.