施用氮肥对落叶松人工林一级根外生菌根侵染及形态的影响

以落叶松人工林为研究对象,通过施N肥试验,对不同季节、不同土壤深度根系进行取样,研究了1级根外生菌根真菌侵染率和形态,及其与不同季节、土壤深度和土壤N有效性的关系.结果表明:外生菌根真菌对落叶松人工林1级根的侵染率显著受不同季节和土壤深度土壤N有效性的影响.在不同季节和土层之间,施N肥导致菌根真菌侵染率下降.与未侵染菌根真菌相比,菌根真菌侵染导致1级根形态发生明显改变,平均直径增加18.7%,平均根长缩短23.7%,比根长降低16.3%.这种根系形态变化在不同季节、不同土壤深度处理中表现明显.菌根真菌侵染改变了1级根形态,影响根系的生理生态过程.     

银杏根际丛枝菌根真菌生长与根系黄酮含量的相关性研究

试验通过调查银杏根际丛枝菌根真菌的菌丝体长度、孢子密度及根系菌根侵染率,并测定银杏根系黄酮含量的季节性变化,研究二者的变化规律,分析相关关系。试验结果表明,年周期内银杏根际丛枝菌根真菌菌丝体长度、孢子密度与根系黄酮类化合物含量呈规律性变化:1月~3月根际丛枝菌根真菌菌丝长度有限,孢子密度、根系菌根侵染率与根系黄酮类化合物含量都最低;3月上中旬皆迅速增加,到9月达到全年最高峰;11月后,丛枝菌根真菌菌丝长度、孢子密度及根系菌根侵染率与根系黄酮类化合物含量均有所下降。通过数学模型分析,银杏根际丛枝菌根真菌菌丝长度、孢子密度及根系菌根侵染率与根系黄酮类化合物含量表现显著的正相关。     

不同林龄杉木人工林菌根侵染特征研究

丛枝菌根真菌是一种通过土壤侵染植物根系,与寄主植物互利共生的重要有益真菌。探究不同林龄杉木林中菌根侵染状况与土壤养分的变化规律,有利于深入认识丛枝菌根真菌—杉木相互作用的养分调控因素,从而为改善杉木人工林土壤肥力、促进杉木林可持续经营提供依据。分别选取10a、25a、45a杉木纯林,分析了不同林分菌根侵染率与孢子密度及部分土壤养分因子(全磷、速效磷、全钾、速效钾)的关系。结果表明:(1)菌根侵染率与孢子密度均呈现出随林龄增大而增大的趋势,pH随林龄增大而减少的趋势;(2)根际土中磷的含量总体偏低,而且受到土壤酸化流失和丛枝菌根真菌积累的双重影响呈现出先减少后增加的趋势;(3)虽然有效钾含量随林龄变化趋势不显著,但丛枝菌根真菌能促进土壤钾的积累。因此,丛枝菌根真菌能有效调控根际土的养分动力学特征,减缓土壤酸化造成的养分流失。     

山西历山珍稀药用植物AM真菌资源与土壤因子的关系

以山西历山自然保护区暴马丁香、连香树、南方红豆杉和领春木4种珍稀药用植物为材料,研究其根际土壤中丛枝菌根真菌(AMF)的菌根结构类型和种属分布,同时分析土壤因子与其侵染率和孢子密度的关系。结果表明:(1)暴马丁香菌根类型为中间型(I-型),连香树和领春木为重楼型(P-型),南方红豆杉为疆南星型(A-型);4种植物根际共鉴定AMF 27种,分别隶属于球囊霉属(Glomus)、无梗囊霉属(Acaulospora)、盾巨孢囊霉属(Scutellos-pora)、多孢囊霉属(Diversispora)和原囊霉属(Archaeospora)5属,其中Glomus为优势属。(2)pH与暴马丁香和领春木的侵染率和孢子密度呈正相关,但与连香树和南方红豆杉呈负相关;速效磷与暴马丁香、南方红豆杉和领春木的侵染率和孢子密度呈正相关,但与连香树呈负相关;碱解氮、有机质与暴马丁香、连香树和领春木的侵染率和孢子密度呈正相关,但与南方红豆杉呈负相关。(3)4种药用植物的菌根侵染率主要受其根际土壤碱解氮的影响,而根际AMF孢子密度主要受根际土壤pH制约。可见,历山自然保护区内AMF资源丰富,多样性程度也较高;宿主植物不同,土壤因子对其侵染率和孢子密度的影响也不同。     

贵州煤矸石山香根草根系及根际土丛枝菌根真菌（AMF）群落的季节动态研究

以煤矸石山种植年限为17年的香根草Vetiveria zizanioides为研究对象,采用高通量测序技术研究香根草根系及根际土丛枝菌根真菌（arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi,AMF）群落的季节动态。并利用Spearman、NMDS、RDA和Mantel-test等统计学方法分析了AMF孢子密度、菌根侵染率、土壤理化性质、丰富度及多样性指数之间的相关性。结果表明：（1）AMF孢子密度和菌根侵染率均表现为夏季显著高于春秋两季。（2）3个季节根系中共得到127个OTUs,根际土中共得到258个OTUs,根和根际土中共享96个OTUs,共分离鉴定4科7属AMF,球囊霉属Glomus是该煤矸石山的优势属。（3）根系中AMF多样性和丰富度指数随季节变化先降后升;根际土中AMF多样性指数随季节变化先降后升,但丰富度指数随季节变化呈递减趋势;春季根际土香农、Chao1和ACE指数均显著高于根系,夏季根际土Chao1指数显著高于根系。（4）NMDS分析表明,夏季根系AMF群落分布与其他季节差异显著。Spearman分析表明,根系全钾含量与多样性和丰富度指数显著正相关,速效磷与丰富度指数显著负相关。RDA分析表明,AMF群落组成在根系春季和夏季、根际土夏季和秋季与全磷、全氮、全钾和速效磷正相关,与有机质负相关。Mantel-test分析表明,pH、有机质、全氮、全钾、速效磷和采样季节极显著影响菌根侵染率,有机质和全氮是影响孢子密度的主导因子。     

库布齐沙漠白沙蒿根际丛枝菌根及其球囊霉素的时空异质性

为探明流动沙地先峰植物白沙蒿(Artemisia sphaerocephala)根际丛枝菌根真菌产球囊霉素时空分布, 在库布齐沙漠选设白沙蒿样地, 于春、夏和秋季分0-10, 10-20, 20-30, 30-40和40-50 cm土层采集土壤样品, 测定其根际丛枝菌根真菌的菌丝侵染率、孢子密度、球囊霉素含量和土壤理化因子, 并系统分析了两两间的相互关系。结果表明: ①白沙蒿和丛枝菌根真菌具有良好的共生关系, 夏季和秋季的真菌菌丝侵染率略高于春季, 夏季平均为89.75%, 秋季平均达到92.37%, 两季的最大值都出现在20-30 cm土层。②白沙蒿根际丛枝菌根真菌活性有明显的空间异质性。真菌孢子密度为1.21-12.31 个·g土-1, 最大值出现在夏季的0-10 cm土层。孢子密度在不同季节有显著差异, 夏季>秋季>春季, 各季都随土层加深而递减。③白沙蒿根际土壤中总球囊霉素含量范围为0.37-1.27 mg·g-1, 易提取球囊霉素含量范围为0.19-0.81 mg·g-1, 两者在各季节最大值都出现在0-10cm土层, 呈现明显的表层土富集性。④球囊霉素与土壤中真菌孢子密度呈极显著正相关, 并和土壤养分及大多土壤酶活性呈显著正相关, 可作为评价土壤丛枝菌根真菌活性和土壤肥力的重要指标。     

暖季型草坪草AMF 侵染与孢子密度季节动态研究

以广州地区常见暖季型草坪草(地毯草Axonopus compressus、狗牙根Cynodon dactylon、结缕草Zoysia japonica)为研究对象, 通过测定植物根系AMF 侵染率、根际土壤AMF 孢子密度以及土壤理化性质, 探讨AMF 侵染率和孢子密度的季节动态变化特征, 以及与土壤理化性质之间的关系。结果表明: (1)三种草坪草的根系AMF 侵染以菌丝侵染为主, 总体表现为夏季最高, 秋季和冬季次之, 春季最低, 囊泡侵染率较低, 很少丛枝侵染; (2)季节对根际土壤AMF 孢子密度有一定的影响, 草坪草根际土壤孢子密度最大值多出现在夏季或冬季, 而春季和秋季则较低; (3)对于土壤因子, AMF 菌丝侵染率与土壤有机质含量成极显著正相关, 而囊泡侵染率与电导率成显著正相关, 与全氮和全磷成极显著负相关; 对于气候因子, AMF 总侵染率和菌丝侵染率均与月均气温和月均降水成极显著正相关。     

覆膜与接种AM真菌对半干旱区玉米根际土壤理化性质的影响

本研究采用裂区试验设计,主区设置了3种覆膜方式:露地平播(即常规播种方法,无覆膜)、半覆膜平作(即常规播种方法,覆膜占小区面积一半)、全膜垄上穴播(即起垄后小区全覆膜,垄上播种),副区设置了2个丛枝菌根(AM)真菌接种水平:接种AM真菌(AM)和不接种对照(CK),研究了大田条件3种覆膜方式下接种AM真菌对半干旱区春播玉米根际土壤养分、有机碳含量及AM真菌特性(侵染率、根外菌丝密度与土壤球囊霉素)的影响。结果表明:3种覆膜方式下,与不接种对照相比,接种AM真菌显著提高了根系侵染率、根外菌丝密度、土壤中球囊霉素和有机碳含量、植株干重、碳氮比和土壤含水量,同时显著促进了土壤养分吸收(个别例外),其中土壤根外菌丝密度、易提取球囊霉素、有机碳、速效磷和速效钾含量、碳氮比随着覆膜方式由无覆膜-半覆膜-全覆膜的变化呈降低趋势,而植株干重、土壤中总球囊霉素、全氮和含水量随着覆膜方式由无覆膜-半覆膜-全覆膜的变化呈升高的趋势。全覆膜结合接种AM真菌在促进西北半干旱地区田间作物生长、提高土壤含水量、以及改善菌根侵染率、菌丝密度与土壤中球囊霉素含量的作用最大,但降低了土壤养分,后期还可能需要通过合理施肥措施加以维持土壤肥力水平。相关分析表明,土壤根外菌丝密度和球囊霉素含量与土壤矿质养分和水分存在一定程度的协同效应,接种AM真菌有助于根际土壤养分转化,促进植物生长。     

泡囊丛枝(VA)菌根对玉米根际磷酸酶活性的影响

以玉米为材料,利用三室隔网培养方法,研究了缺P土壤上施用植酸和卵磷脂时接种几种菌根真菌(Glomus mosseae, Glmous versiformea, Gigaspora margarita)对根际土壤酸性磷酸酶和碱性磷酸酶活性的影响.玉米生长70d后,收获测定距根表不同距离土壤中的磷酸酶活性.结果表明,接种菌根真菌增加了根际土壤酸性和碱性磷酸酶活性,Gigaspora margarita菌根菌的作用大于其它2个菌根菌.不同P源对磷酸酶活性有明显影响.     

广州地区7种菊科入侵植物丛枝菌根侵染和根际土壤孢子密度的生境差异性分析

为了解广州地区7种菊科(Compositae)入侵植物与丛枝菌根真菌(Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi,AMF)的互作共生关系,调查了这7种菊科入侵植物在4种生境中的AMF侵染和根际土壤孢子密度,并分析土壤因子对AMF的影响。结果表明,7种入侵植物根内均受到AMF侵染,根际土壤中均检测到AMF孢子;AMF侵染在宿主间差异显著,生境间的差异不显著;孢子密度在生境和宿主间的差异均显著,人工绿地、农田果园的AMF孢子密度均显著高于森林周边和滨海地带。相关性分析表明,农田果园生境的根际土壤孢子密度与土壤有机质含量呈显著负相关关系;森林周边生境的AMF总侵染率与土壤全氮呈极显著正相关关系;人工绿地的AMF总侵染率与土壤速效氮含量呈显著负相关关系;滨海地带的AMF总侵染率与土壤有效磷含量呈显著负相关关系。这些对理解菊科植物入侵机理具有非常重要的作用。     

Seasonal Varrations of VA Mycorrhizae in the Rhizospheres of Welsh Onion (Allium fistulosum) and Corn (Zea mays) in Beijing and Their Relationship to Several Environmental Factors

Seasonal variations of vesicular-arbuscular mycorrhizal infections and VAM fungal (endogonaceous) spore densities were systematically investigated in the rhizospheres of Welsh onion Allium fistulosum) and corn (Zea mays) in Beijing from 1986 to 1987. The relationships among the occurrence of VAM and VAM fungi, several soil factors (contents of N, P, and organic matters, pH) and climatic factors (soil and atmospheric temperature, accumulated temperature, precipitation, photoperiod and relative humidity) were tentatively evaluated with linear correlation and relational grade. The results obtained showed that mycorrhizal infection rate of the two plants was gradually increased with the extention of their growth period, especially in June and September during the whole year the infection rate was the highest. Spore densities in the rhizospheres of two plants varied greatly and two 'peaks appeared in June, July and October respectively throughout the year. In the rhizospheres of Welsh onion and corn in Beijing, the investigated soil factors showed little Change during the whole growth period of plants, so it was considered that climatic factors were more important to the seasonal variations of VAM occurrence in the:same.region. Analytical results of linear correlation and relational grade indicated that the occurrence of VA mycorrhizae was most closely related to the accumulated temperature during the whole year.     

GROWTH OF LITTLE BLUESTEM (SCHIZACHYRIUM SCOPARIUM) (POACEAE) IN FUMIGATED AND NONFUMIGATED SOILS UNDER VARIOUS INORGANIC NUTRIENT CONDITIONS

Little bluestem plants (Schizachyrium scoparium (Michx.) Nash) were grown in fumigated and nonfumigated soil under manipulated levels of three inorganic nutrients: nitrogen, phosphorus, or bases (Ca + Mg). Plants grown in nonfumigated soil had significantly (P < 0.05) higher tissue levels of inorganic nutrients (Cu, Zn, Al, S, Mg, Mn, Ca, and P), smaller shoots, less total biomass, fewer flowering plants but more VAM fungal colonization than plants grown in fumigated soil that were essentially nonmycorrhizal (colonization vs. 1.2 ± 4.9%, for plants grown in nonfumigated and fumigated soil, respectively). Levels of phosphorus (14–33 μg/g) available (Bray No. 1) in the soil prior to manipulation, which are adequate for little bluestem, likely resulted in the development of an ineffectual mycorrhizal association, which in turn, caused the depressed growth of plants in nonfumigated soil. Among plants grown in nonfumigated soil, there was significant variation in VAM fungal colonization and sporulation owing to nutrient treatment. Nitrogen treatment and deionized water control had significantly lower levels of colonization than phosphorus and base treatments. However, plants in the nitrogen and base treatments had significantly more spores/100 cc of rhizosphere soil than plants grown in the deionized water control.     

Phosphorus effect on phosphatase activity in endomycorrhizal maize

Success of a mycorrhizal symbiosis is influenced by the availability of phosphorus (P) in the soil. Maize ( Zea mays L. cv. Great Lakes 586) plants were grown under five different levels of soil P, either in the presence or absence of formononetin or the vesicular‐arbuscular mycorrhizal (VAM) fungus Glomus intraradices Schenck and Smith. We detected physiological differences in mycorrhizal roots very early in the development of symbiosis, before the onset of nutrient‐dependent responses. Under low P levels, VAM roots accumulated a greater shoot dry weight (13%), root P concentration (15%) and protein concentration (30%) than non-VAM roots, although root growth was not statistically significantly different. At higher P levels, mycorrhizal roots weighed less than non-VAM roots (10%) without a concomitant host alteration of growth or root P concentration. Mycorrhizal colonization decreased as soil P increased. Formononetin-treatment enhanced colonization of the root by G. intraradices and partially overcame inhibition of VAM colonization by high soil P concentrations. This is the first report that formononetin improves root colonization under high levels of soil P. Acid phosphatase (ACP) and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activities were closely related to the level of fungal colonization in corn roots. ACP activity in corn roots responded more to soil P availability than did ALP activity (38% more). These results suggest that ACP was involved in the increased uptake of P from the soil, while ALP may be linked to active phosphate assimilation or transport in mycorrhizal roots. Thus, soil P directly affected a number of enzymes essential in host-endophyte interplay, while formononetin enhanced fungal colonization.     

ROLE OF MYCORRHIZAL FUNGUS ORIGIN IN GROWTH AND NUTRIENT UPTAKE BY GERANIUM ROBERTIANUM

Prior field studies have shown that populations of forest herbs on relatively nutrient poor soils have higher vesicular-arbuscular mycorrhizal (VAM) infection intensity than plants on rich soils. However, the growth responses and ability to take up P against the soil nutrient gradient are often not linearly related to infection intensity. To determine if intraspecific differences among populations of the common VAM fungus Glomus occultum could differentially affect growth and nutrient uptake, Geranium robertianum seedlings were inoculated with Glomus occultum isolated from four forest types along a gradient of soil fertility, and grown in a greenhouse at P levels typical of the extremes of that gradient. Plants given inoculum from relatively infertile forest sites generally produced greater root, shoot, and total mass than plants given inoculum from fertile sites or uninoculated plants, especially at the low P supply rate. Total P uptake and both P and N uptake efficiency were also highest in plants given inocula from low fertility sites. These results indicate that local adaptation and intraspecific variations in the ability of VAM fungi to induce growth and nutrient uptake effects on host plants may be as important as interspecific differences among VAM fungus species.     

Seasonality of vesicular-arbuscular mycorrhizae in sedges in a semi-arid tropical grassland

Vesicular-arbuscular mycorrhizal (VAM) colonization and spore numbers in the rhizosphere of Cyperus iria L. and C. rotundus L., growing in a semi-arid tropical grassland, was studied during the 1993 and 1994 monsoons. In addition, climatic and chemical properties of the soils were determined in order to investigate their influence on mycorrhizal variables. VAM fungal association in the sedges was confirmed by plant- and root-trap culture techniques. The soil nutrients exhibited seasonal variations, but were highly variable between years. Intercellular hyphae and vesicles with occasional intraradical spores characterized mycorrhizal association in sedges. Dark septate fungi also colonized roots of sedges. Temporal variations in mycorrhizal colonization and spore numbers occurred, indicating seasonality. However, the patterns of mycorrhizal colonization and spore numbers were different during both the years. The VAM fungal structures observed were intercellular hyphae and vesicles. Changes in the proportion of root length with VAM structures, total colonization levels and spore numbers were related to climatic and edaphic factors. However, the intensity of influence of climatic and soil factors on VAM tended to vary with sedge species.     

Interactions of Vesicular-Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi,Phosphorus, and Heterodera glycines on Soybean

Effects of vesicular-arbuscular mycorrhizal (VAM) fungi and soil phosphorus (P) fertility on parasitism of soybean cultivars Bragg and Wright by soybean cyst nematode (SCN) were investigated in field micropiot and greenhouse experiments. VAM fungi increased height of both cultivars and yield of Wright in microplot studies in 1986 and 1987. Conversely, yield of mycorrhizal and nonmycorrhizal plants of both cultivars was suppressed by SCN. Soil population densities of SCN were unaffected by VAM fungi in 1986 but were greater in microplots infested with VAM fungi than in control microplots in 1987. Growth of Wright soybean was stimulated by VAM fungi and suppressed by SCN in greenhouse experiments. The effect of VAM fungi on SCN varied with time. Numbers of SCN in roots and soil were decreased by VAM fungi by as much as 73% at the highest SCN inoculum level through 49 days after planting. Later, however, SCN numbers were usually comparable on mycorrhizal and nonmycorrhizal plants. Soil P fertility generally had no effect on SCN. Results of a split-root experiment indicated that VAM fungal suppression of SCN was not systemic.     

Salinity and flooding stress effects on mycorrhizal and non-mycorrhizal citrus rootstock seedlings

Seedlings of the rootstocks Pineapple sweet orange (SwO), Carrizo citrange (CC), and sour orange (SO) were grown in low phosphorus (P) sandy soil and either inoculated with the vesicular-arbuscular mycorrhizal (VAM) fungus,Glomus intraradices, or were non-mycorrhizal (NM) and fertilized with P. VAM and NM seedings of similar shoot size and adequate P-status were selected for study of salinity and flooding stress. One-third of each of the VAM and NM plants were given 150 mM NaCl for a period of 24 days. One-third of the plants were placed into plastic bags and flooded for 21 days while the remaining third were non-stressed controls. In general, neither stress treatment affected mycorrhizal colonization. Salinity stress reduced the hydraulic conductivity of roots, leaf water potential, stomatal conductance and net assimilation of CO₂ (ACO₂) of mycorrhizal and non-mycorrhizal seedlings to a similar extent. VAM plants of CC and SO accumulated more Cl in leaves than NM plants. Cl was higher in non-mycorrhizal roots of SwO and CC than in mycorrhizal roots. Flooding the root zone for 3 weeks did not produce visible symptoms in the shoot but did influence plant water relations and reduce ACO₂ of all 3 rootstocks. VAM and NM plants of each rootstock were affected similarly by flooding. Comparable reduction in nitrogen and P content of both mycorrhizal and non-mycorrhizal plants suggested that flooding stress was primarily affecting root rather than hyphal nutrient uptake. Florida Agricultural Experimental Station Journal Series No. 7773.     

北京地区气候变化和植被的关系——基于遥感数据和物候资料的分析

 气候变化对陆地生态系统的影响及其反馈是全球变化研究的焦点之一。本文利用1951～2000年的气温、降水等气候资料、1982～2000年的NOAA/AVHRR遥感数据和1951～2000年北京春季物候的代表性指标——山桃（Prunus davidiana）始花的物候数据,分析了在年际和年内时间尺度上北京地区各气候参量与植被变化之间的关系。结果显示：植物生长与温度之间的关系远比其与降水之间的关系密切;各气候参量和植被生长状况之间的关系因时间尺度而不同。1)月际水平上,具有显著生态学意义的气候指标对植被生长状况的影响更明显。2)温度与NDVI指标的相互作用最大为零时滞：年际水平上,影响时效约为1年;月际水平上,约为1个月。3)植物物候期与温度之间的关系远比其与降水之间的关系密切。年际尺度上,气候参量和植物物候期的相互作用是同时的,其中气温的影响时效为2年;月际尺度上,实际温度和植物物候期的相互作用时效约为1个月。     

VA-mycorrhizae and mycorrhiza stimulating isoflavonoid compounds reduce plant herbicide injury

Imazaquin, imazethapyr and pendimethalin showed high toxicity to sorghum plants grown in a greenhouse soil mix. However, mycorrhizal sorghum plants were less affected by herbicide toxicity than non-mycorrhizal ones, at low to moderate herbicide concentrations. VAM herbicide safening effects were more evident on imazaquin-treated plants, than for those treated with the other two herbicides. Applications of imazethapyr and pendimethalin at the two highest concentrations, but not imazaquin, reduced VAM colonization rates in sorghum. Applications of the VAM stimulating isoflavonoids, biochanin A and formononetin, at 5 ppm solutions to a field soil sample containing toxic levels of imazaquin (13 ppb) and indigenous VAM fungi, reduced herbicide-induced injury in corn and sorghum under growth chamber conditions. The benefits of isoflavonoids were reduced when additional propagules of Glomus intraradix were added into field-soil samples, and were eliminated when VAM fungi were inactivated by autoclaving. This indicates that herbicide safening effects of biochanin A, and formononetin are VAM-mediated and also suggests the potential use of these isoflavonoids as herbicide safeners.     

Effect of salinity on mycorrhizal onion and tomato in soil with and without additional phosphate

Summary Vesicular-arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (VAM) are known to increase plant growth in saline soils. Previous studies, however, have not distinguished whether this growth response is due to enhanced P uptake or a direct mechanism of increased plant salt tolerance by VAM. In a glasshouse experiment onions (Allium cepa L.) were grown in sterilized, low-P sandy loam soil amended with 0, 0.8, 1.6 mmol P kg^–1 soil with and without mycorrhizal inoculum. Pots were irrigated with saline waters having conductivities of 1.0, 2.8, 4.3, and 5.9 dS m^–1. Onion colonized withGlomus deserticola (Trappe, Bloss, and Menge) increased growth from 394% to 100% over non-inoculated control plants when soil P was low ( 0.2 mmol kg^–1 NaHCO₃-extractable P) at soil saturation extract salinities from 1.1 dS m^–1 to 8.8 dS m^–1. When 0.8 and 1.6 mM P was added no dry weight differences due to VAM were observed, however, K and P concentrations were higher in VAM plants in saline treatments.Glomus fasciculatum (Gerdeman and Trappe) andGlomus mosseae (Nicol. and Gerd.) isolates increased growth of VAM tomato 44% to 193% in non-sterilized, saline soil (10 dS m^–1 saturation extract) despite having little effect on growth in less saline conditions when soil P was low. Higher tomato water potentials, along with improved K nutrition by VAM in onion, indicate mechanisms other than increased P nutrition may be important for VAM plants growing under saline stress. These effects appear to be secondary to the effects of VAM on P uptake.