G.A. Abubakar, B.O. Ocheni, A.I. Gabasawa

1Department of Soil Science and Land Resources Management, Faculty of Agriculture, Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto, Nigeria
2Department of Soil Science, Institute for Agricultural Research, Faculty of Agriculture, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Nigeria

(Manuscript received 3 December 2024; accepted for publication 12 February 2025)

Abstract. This study was conducted to determine the influence of mycorrhizal fungus (Trichoderma viride) as biostimulator powder and NPK fertilizer on some soil chemical properties in Sokoto Sudan Savanna, Nigeria. The experiment was conducted at Usmanu Danfodiyo Fadama Teaching and Research Farm in Wamakko Local Govemment Area of Sokoto State. Soil samples were collected at a depth of 0 – 30 cm from four (4) plots of 3 m x 3 m size, two (2) weeks after treatment application. Treatments were applied in a Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) replicated three times. The treatments include: Control, Trichoderma viride, NPK fertilizer and Trichoderma viride + NPK fertilizer. A total number of ten (10) sub-samples were collected from each plot to make a composite sample. 0.25Kghha-1 of biostimulator (Trichoderma viride) and 120K gha-1 of NPK chemical fertilizer were applied (inoculated) after mixing with 200 litres of water. The results of the study showed that Trichoderma viride significantly influenced the soil pH, organic carbon and organic matter in soils. Application of plant Biostimulator greatly influenced the soil chemical properties. Soil pH was within the range 6.83 – 7.02 most favorable for plant growth because most nutrients are easily available at this range. The results obtained showed a significant (p<0.05) difference between the treatments. Organic carbon was significantly (p<0.05) higher than the control treatments. The combination of Trichoderma viride + NPK fertilizer was significantly higher (p<0.05) 1.5 g/kg than the treatment with sole application of NPK fertilizer. Available phosphorus ranged from 0.89 – 0.96 mg/kg with a mean value of 0.91 mg/kg for control treatment, while treatment with the application of Trichoderma viride ranged from 0.87 – 0.91 mg/kg with a mean value of 0.89 mg/kg, while NPK fertilizer treatment had a value ranging from 0.86 – 0.95 mg/kg with a mean value of 0.90 mg/kg, whereas the combined treatment with Trichoderma viride + NPK fertilizer had available phosphorus value ranging from 0.89 – 0.95 mg/kg with a mean value of 0.92 mg/kg which was slightly higher than all the treatments. This further revealed that Trichoderma viride can greatly influence the availability of soil nutrients which promote their uptake in plants for growth and development in Sokoto Sudan Savanna agroecological zone, Nigeria.