Journal of Plant Nutrition, 34:970–987, 2011 Copyright C  Taylor & Francis Group, LLC ISSN: 0190-4167 print / 1532-4087 online DOI: 10.1080/01904167.2011.555580 RESPONSE OF MAIZE GENOTYPES TO SEVERAL MYCORRHIZAL INOCULUMS IN TERMS OF PLANT GROWTH, NUTRIENT UPTAKE AND SPORE PRODUCTION Ibrahim Ortas and C ¸a˘ gdas Akpinar Department of Soil Science, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Cukurova, Adana, Turkey ✷ A greenhouse experiment was conducted at the University of C ¸ ukurova, Rhisosphere Lab, Adana, Turkey, on a growth medium to assess the impact of several selected mycorrhiza including in- digenous AMF-maize hybrid combinations on spore production, plant growth and nutrient uptake. In the experiment, six maize (Zea mays L.) (Luce, Vero, Darva, Pegasso, P.3394, and P.32K61) genotypes were used. Control, Glomus mossea, G. caledonium, G. etunicatum, G. clarium, G. macrocarpum, G. fasciculatum, G. intraradices, Dr. Kinkon (Japanese species), indigenous mycorrhizae (Balcalı series) and cocktail mycorrhizae species spores were used. The growth of maize genotypes was found to depend on the mycorrhizal species. For shoot and root dry weight production G. intraradices is one of the most efficient mycorrhiza species on average on all maize genotypes. Genotypes P.3394 and P.32K61 produced the highest shoot and root dry weight as well. Pagasso and Darva genotypes compared to the other genotypes have high root colonization percentages. On average G. clarium inoculated plants also have high percentages of root colonization. It has been found that the P.32K61 genotype has a high phosphorus (P)% content and Pagasso genotypes have higher zinc (Zn) content uptake than other genotypes. G. clarium inoculated maize genotype plant tissues have high P% and Zn content. G. intraradices is also efficient for P and Zn uptake. My- corrhizal dependent maize genotypes showed variability in P efficiency from inefficient to efficient genotypes. Keywords: mycorrhizae species, corn genotype, root infection, spore production, myc- orrhizal dependency INTRODUCTION A major issue in the world today is the burgeoning population and its consequences on global food security. Fertilizers are extensively used throughout for commercial crop production and, as a consequence, there Received 23 September 2009; accepted 29 September 2009. Address correspondence to Ibrahim Ortas, Department of Soil Science, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Cukurova, 01330, Adana, Turkey. E-mail: iortas@cu.edu.tr 970