Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungal diversity increases growth and phosphorus uptake in C3 and C4 crop plants. (August 2019)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Frew, Adam
• Is Part Of: Soil biology and biochemistry. Volume 135(2019)
• Page Start: 248
• Page End: 250
• Publication Date: 2019-08
• Subjects: Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi -- Microbial diversity -- Microbial inoculant -- Phosphorus nutrition -- Plant functional group; Soil biochemistry -- Periodicals; Soil biology -- Periodicals; Sols -- Biochimie -- Périodiques; Sols -- Biologie -- Périodiques; Sols -- Microbiologie -- Périodiques; Bodembiologie; Biochemie; 631.46
• DOI: 10.1016/j.soilbio.2019.05.015
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0038-0717

Abstract

Abstract: Most plants associate with arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi which can enhance their growth and nutrient uptake. Outcomes of the AM symbiosis can be highly variable, depending on soil fertility, plant functional group (C3, C4 ) and AM fungal diversity. This study assessed the growth and nutrient (C, N, P) responses of two C3 ( Triticum aestivum and Hordeum vulgare ) and two C4 ( Sorghum bicolor and Zea mays ) plants to different AM fungal inocula (no AM fungi, single AM fungal species, and four AM fungal species) under high and low P conditions. Higher AM fungal diversity resulted in greater P concentration and aboveground biomass of H. vulgare and S. bicolor . Triticum aestivum did not respond to AM fungi, while Z. mays responded positively but a similar positive response of Z. mays growth and nutrition occured when it was colonised with single or multiple AM fungal species. These findings suggest that, although C3 crop plants are less responsive to AM fungi than C4, some C3 and C4 species can benefit from higher AM fungal diversity in the soil. Highlights: C3 plant species are less responsive to arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi than C4 . AM fungal diversity increased biomass and phosphorus in H. vulgare and S. bicolor . AM fungal diversity did not affect T. aestivum or Z. mays . Higher AM fungal diversity resulted in more mycorrhizal colonisation in some species.