Zinc availability in maize grains is commonly low and can cause
malnutrition. Hence, a new biological strategy is being tested by scientists
from Tamil Nadu Agricultural University. They aim to solve this problem
through the use of mycorrhizal fungal inoculation in field grown maize.

To evaluate the effect of the fungal inoculation, three levels of Zinc (Zn)
fertilizer and two levels of Phosphorus (P) fertilizer were applied to two
maize lines; one with the arbuscular mycorrhizal fungus Glomus intraradices
(AMF+) and one without the arbuscular mycorrhizal fungus (AMF-).

AMF+ plants had significantly higher root length and volume, leaf area and
chlorophyll concentrations regardless of P or Zn fertilization. The response
to AMF inoculation was also found to be higher at lower levels of Zn
fertilization. Maize grains of AMF+ plants had higher Zn and tryptophan
concentrations in comparison to AMF- plants. The plant available Zn
concentration in soil had a highly significant correlation with Zn content
in roots, shoots and grains.

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