Study of arbuscular mycorrhzizal fungi on decomposition of alfalfa litter

Litterbag was used to study the effect of arbuscular mycorrhzizal fungus Glomus mosseae to the decomposition of alfalfa（Medicago sativa）litter. Litters were embeded in the soil and sampled at 4, 14, 21 and 28 days later. Results showed that dry weights of alfalfa litters gradually reduced over times. Inoculation with arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi remarkable improved the decomposition rate of alfalfa roots. Shoot and root N concentrations showed a rapid decline and then accumulated gradually. Shoot P concentrations increased initially and maintained a relatively stable level, root P concentrations maintained at a stable level generally. Root decomposition rate, N and P concentrations of alfafa with inoculating arbuscular mycorrhizal were remarkable higher than that of noninoculated control, but there was no significant difference in shoot.