The performance of two sunflower genotypes (Morden and MSFH-8) with and without VA-mycorrhizal
fungi at three P levels (38, 56 and 75 kg P2O5 ha
-1
) in vertisol of Dharwad was studied to determine the effect
of mycorrhizal inoculation on plant growth, yield and P uptake. The results showed that the VAM inoculation
increased  sunflower  yield  (14%),  total  biomass  (16%),  oil  content  (3.1%)  and  P  uptake  (30.5%)  over
uninoculated  control.  The  percent  root  colonization  and  chlamydo-spore  count  decreased with  increasing  P
levels. The total biomass production, seed yield and P uptake of mycorrhizal plants at 38 kg P2O5 ha
-1
 more than
the non-mycorrhizal plants at 75 kg P2O5 ha
-1
. The biomass and seed yield of mycorrhizal plants at same P level
were more than the non-mycorrhizal plants. Mycorrhizal plants of Morden at 38 kg P2O5 ha
-1
 and MSFH-8 at 56
kg P2O5 ha
-1
 produced higher seed yield, oil content and total biomass than non-mycorrhizal plants supplied with
75 kg P2O5 ha
-1
.  The results indicated that, VA-mycorrhizal inoculation helps in saving 25 and 50 percent of
recommended dose of phosphatic  fertilizer (75 kg P2O5 ha
-1
) in MSFH-8 (single cross hybrid) and Morden
(open pollinated variety), respectively.