Effect of mycorrhizal inoculation and soluble phosphorus fertilizer on growth and phosphorus uptake of pearl millet

Summary Six mycorrhizal fungi were tested as inoculants for pearl millet (Pennisetum americanum Leeke) grown in pots maintained in a greenhouse. VAM fungi varied in their ability to stimulate plant growth and phosphorus uptake. Inoculation withGigaspora margarita, G. calospora andGlomus fasciculatum increased shoot drymatter 1.3 fold over uninoculated control. In another pot trial, inoculation withGigaspora calospora andGlomus fasciculatum resulted in dry matter and phosphorus uptake equivalent to that produced by adding phosphorus at 8 kg/ha.The influence of inoculatingGigaspora calospora on pearl millet at different levels of phosphorus fertilizer (0 to 60 kg P/ha) as triple superphosphate in sterile and unsterile alfisol soil was also studied. In sterile soil, mycorrhizal inoculation increased dry matter and phosphorus uptake at levels less than 20 kg/ha. At higher P levels the mycorrhizal effect was decreased. These studies performed in sterilized soil suggest that inoculation of pearl millet with efficient VAM fungi could be extremely useful in P deficient soils. However, its practical utility depends on screening and isolation of fungal strains which perform efficiently in natural (unsterilized) field conditions.     

Response of lentil to VA Mycorrhizal inoculation and plant available P levels of unsterile soils

Summary Responses of lentil in unsterile soils at low, medium and high levels of plant available soil P toGlomus fasciculatum inoculation were evaluated. It was observed that growth, dry matter accumulation, nodulation, and nitrogen fixation were considerably improved in VAM inoculated plants over uninoculated control at low and medium levels of plant available soil P.     

Response of cassava to VA mycorrhizal inoculation and phosphorus application in greenhouse and field experiments

Cassava (Manihot esculenta Crantz) was grown in the greenhouse and in the field at different levels of phosphorus applied, with or without inoculation with VA mycorrhiza in sterilized or unsterilized soil. When grown in a sterilized soil to which eight levels of P had been applied the non-inoculated plants required the application of 3200 kg P ha⁻¹ to reach near-maximum yield of plant dry matter (DM) at 3 months. Inoculated plants, however, showed only a minor response to applied P. Mycorrhizal inoculation in the P check increased top growth over 80 fold and total P uptake over 100 fold. Relating dry matter produced to the available P concentration in the soil (Bray II), a critical level of 15 ppm P was obtained for mycorrhizal and 190 ppm P for non-mycorrhizal plants. This indicates that the determination of critical levels of P in the soil is highly dependent on the degree of mycorrhizal infection of the root system. In a second greenhouse trial with two sterilized and non-sterilized soils it was found that in both sterilized soils, inoculation was most effective at intermediate levels of applied P resulting in a 15–30 fold increase in DM at 100 kg P ha⁻¹. In the unsterilized soil inoculation had no significant effect in the quilichao soil, but increased DM over 3 fold in the Carimagua soil, indicating that the latter had a native mycorrhizal population less effective than the former. When cassava was grown in the field in plots with 11 levels of P applied, uninoculated plants grown in sterilized soil remained extremely P deficient for 4–5 months after which they recuperated through mycorrhizal infection from unsterilized borders or subsoil. Still, after 11 months inoculation had increased root yields by 40%. In the non-sterilized soil inoculation had no significant effect as the introduced strain was equally as effective as the native mycorrhizal population. These trials indicate that cassava is extremely dependent on an effective mycorrhizal association for normal growth in low-P soils, but that in most natural soils this association is rapidly established and inoculation of cassava in the field can only be effective in soils with a low quantity and quality of native mycorrhiza. In that case, plants should be inoculated with highly effective strains.     

Field response of mycorrhizal and nonmycorrhizal Medicago sativa var. local in the F1 generation

Seeds were collected from plants of Medicago sativa var. local inoculated with Glomus macrocarpum and G. fasciculatum separately in pot experiments. These seeds were sown in garden soil and the percentage germination, general health and yield of subsequent plants (the F1 generation) were studied. The percentage germination was highest in seeds of G. macrocarpum-inoculated parents followed by those inoculated with G. fasciculatum; seeds of uninoculated parent plants showed the lowest germination. Vegetative yield of the progeny decreased in the order of plants inoculated with G. fasciculatum, with G. macrocarpum, and uninoculated. On the other hand, reproductive yield was highest for plants whose parents were inoculated with G. macrocarpum, followed by G. fascicullatum, and lowest for seeds of uninoculated parent plants.     

Dual inoculation withRhizobium sp. andGlomus fasciculatum enhances nodulation,yield and nitrogen fixation in chickpea (Cicer arietinum Linn.)

Summary Seed inoculation with Rhizobium and soil inoculation withGlomus fasciculatum increased nodulation, nitrogen and phosphorus concentration in plants and yield of chickpea (Cicer arietinum) var. BG 212 in pots containing unsterilized soil especially with 50kgP₂O₅ ha⁻¹ in the form of superphosphate. Inoculation with Rhizobium orG. fasciculatum separately or in combination significantly increased the N₂ fixed in straw and grain than uninoculated controls as determined by¹⁵N atom percent excess of plants grown in soil amended with labelled ammonium sulphate (¹⁵NH₄)₂SO₄) at the rate of 20kg N ha⁻¹. These increases were most pronounced when P was applied at 50kgP₂O₅ ha⁻¹.     

Effects of the soil microbiome on the demography of two annual prairie plants

1. Both mutualistic and pathogenic soil microbes are known to play important roles in shaping the fitness of plants, likely affecting plants at different life cycle stages.
2. In order to investigate the differential effects of native soil mutualists and pathogens on plant fitness, we compared survival and reproduction of two annual tallgrass prairie plant species (Chamaecrista fasciculata and Coreopsis tinctoria) in a field study using 3 soil inocula treatments containing different compositions of microbes. The soil inocula types included fresh native whole soil taken from a remnant prairie containing both native mutualists and pathogens, soil enhanced with arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi derived from remnant prairies, and uninoculated controls.
3. For both species, plants inoculated with native prairie AM fungi performed much better than those in uninoculated soil for all parts of the life cycle. Plants in the native whole prairie soil were either generally similar to plants in the uninoculated soil or had slightly higher survival or reproduction.
4. Overall, these results suggest that native prairie AM fungi can have important positive effects on the fitness of early successional plants. As inclusion of prairie AM fungi and pathogens decreased plant fitness relative to prairie AM fungi alone, we expect that native pathogens also can have large effects on fitness of these annuals. Our findings support the use of AM fungi to enhance plant establishment in prairie restorations.

     

The effect of pretransplant inoculation with VA mycorrhizal fungi on the subsequent growth of leeks in the field

Summary Leek plants were preinoculated with a mixed inoculum ofGlomus caledonium, Glomus fasciculatum andGlomus sp., and transplanted to Dazomet disinfected and untreated field plots of moderate P deficiency. Successive harvests were made until 99 days after transplanting. Preinoculated leeks attained marketable weights 25 days earlier than uninoculated leeks from untreated soil and their final dry matter yields were 5.7 and 1.5 times as high as those of uninoculated leeks from disinfected and untreated soil, respectively. Phosphorus concentration in preinoculated leeks remained highest for at least 22 and 75 days after transplanting in untreated and disinfected soil, respectively. Preinoculation had a similar, although smaller, influence on Cu and Zn concentrations. Infection levels produced by introduced and indigenous VA endophytes in leeks reached plateaus of 90% and 40%, respectively, 47 days after transplanting. It is concluded that VAM is essential to leeks grown in moderately P deficient soils, and the potential for inoculating seedlings in commercial leek production is discussed.     

广东省本地油茶和引种油茶根际土壤微生物群落特征

【背景】近年来,油茶低效林面积较大,根际土壤微生物影响林木抗性和生长,对林业可持续发展具有重要意义。【目的】了解广东省本地油茶和引种油茶根际土壤微生物群落特征。【方法】利用高通量测序分析油茶根际土壤微生物群落组成。【结果】油茶根际土壤细菌有26门77纲201目377科593属676种,真菌有14门50纲121目266科502属631种。油茶根际土壤中的优势细菌为酸杆菌门和变形菌门,优势真菌为子囊菌门和担子菌门。两种油茶根际土壤微生物组成差异显著,本地油茶根际土壤的细菌多样性显著高于引种油茶。在门水平上,脱硫杆菌门细菌和罗兹菌门、被孢霉门真菌的相对丰度在两种油茶间差异显著,Amorphotheca在本地油茶根际土壤中特异性富集。两种油茶根际土壤细菌碳代谢相对丰度差异显著,真菌以腐生营养型为主,其次为病理营养型和共生营养型。本地油茶根际土壤中显著富集土壤腐生菌,而共生营养型真菌(尤其是丛枝菌根真菌)相对丰度(6.43%)显著低于引种油茶中(21.83%)。此外,有机质和养分含量是影响油茶根际土壤微生物群落的关键因子。【结论】本地油茶和引种油茶根际土壤微生物群落组成和结构差异显著,Amorp...     

Effect of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi, organic fertilizer and soil sterilization on maize growth

The effects of inoculation with arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi, organic fertilizer (F) applications, and soil sterilization on maize growth were evaluated in a pot experiment. The experiment was in a completely randomized factorial design (2 × 4 × 2) with six replicates for each treatment. There were two soil treatments (sterilized soil, SS and unsterilized soil, US), four organic fertilizer treatments (0.0, 0.5, 1.0 and 2.0 g kg^?1 soil), and two AM fungi treatments (inoculation with Glomus mosseae, +AM and uninoculated control, ?AM). Inoculated plants generally had greater AM colonization, plant height, dry weight and phosphorus (P) uptake than uninoculated controls, and these parameters were significantly increased as the organic fertilizer application increased up to 0.5 g kg^?1 but decreased or had no significant effect compared to the uninoculated plants at the highest fertilizer rate (2.0 g kg^?1). Plant growth, P uptake and AM colonization of root system were significantly higher in sterilized soil compared to the unsterilized control. Our results indicated that the inoculation of AM fungi in field soil with optimal organic fertilizer application greatly improved maize growth and nutrient uptake, and the effect was greater under sterilized soil condition.     

Effects of species of VA-mycorrhizal fungi on growth and mineral uptake of sorghum at different temperatures

Sorghum [Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench] plants were grown in growth chambers at 20, 25 and 30°C in a low P Typic Argiudoll (3.65 µg P g^–1 soil, pH 8.3) inoculated with Glomus fasciculatum, Glomus intraradices, and Glomus macrocarpum to determine effects of vesicular-arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (VAMF) species on plant growth and mineral nutrient uptake. Sorghum root colonization by VAMF and plant responses to Glomus species were temperature dependent. G. macrocarpum colonized sorghum roots best and enhanced plant growth and mineral uptake considerably more than the other VAMF species, especially at 30°C. G. fasciculatum enhanced shoot growth at 20 and 25°C, and mineral uptake only at 20°C. G. intraradices depressed shoot growth and mineral uptake at 30°C. G. macrocarpum enhanced shoot P, K, and Zn at all temperatures, and Fe at 25 and 30°C above that which could be accounted for by increased biomass. Sorghum plant growth responses to colonization by VAMF species may need to be evaluated at different temperatures to optimize beneficial effects.     

Effect of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi, organic fertilizer and soil sterilization on maize growth ☆

The effects of inoculation with arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi, organic fertilizer (F) applications, and soil sterilization on maize growth were evaluated in a pot experiment. The experiment was in a completely randomized factorial design (2 × 4 × 2) with six replicates for each treatment. There were two soil treatments (sterilized soil, SS and unsterilized soil, US), four organic fertilizer treatments (0.0, 0.5, 1.0 and 2.0 g kg^-1 soil), and two AM fungi treatments (inoculation with Glomus mosseae, +AM and uninoculated control, －AM). Inoculated plants generally had greater AM colonization, plant height, dry weight and phosphorus (P) uptake than uninoculated controls, and these parameters were significantly increased as the organic fertilizer application increased up to 0.5 g kg^-1 but decreased or had no significant effect compared to the uninoculated plants at the highest fertilizer rate (2.0 g kg^-1). Plant growth, P uptake and AM colonization of root system were significantly higher in sterilized soil compared to the unsterilized control. Our results indicated that the inoculation of AM fungi in field soil with optimal organic fertilizer application greatly improved maize growth and nutrient uptake, and the effect was greater under sterilized soil condition.     

Arbuscular mycorrhizal adaptation,spore germination,root colonization,and host plant growth and mineral acquisition at low pH

Arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi colonize plant roots and often enhance host plant growth and mineral acquisition, particularly for plants grown under low nutrient and mineral stress conditions. Information about AM fungi and mycorrhizal ( +AM) host plant responses at low pH ( < 5) is limited. Acaulospora are widely reported in acid soil, and Gigaspora sp. appear to be more common in acid soils than Glomus sp. Spores of some AM fungi are more tolerant to acid conditions and high Al than others; t Acaulospora sp., Gigaspora sp., and Glomus manihotis are particularly tolerant. Root colonization is generally less in low than in high pH soils. Percentage root colonization is generally not related to dry matter (DM) produced. Maximum enhancement of plant growth in acid soil varies with AM fungal isolate and soil pH, indicating adaptation of AM isolates to edaphic conditions. Acquisition of many mineral nutrients other than P and Zn is enhanced by +AM plants in acid soil, and the minerals whose concentration is enhanced are those commonly deficient in acid soils (Ca, Mg, and K). Some AM fungal isolates are effective in overcoming soil acidity factors, especially Al toxicity, that restrict plant growth at low pH.     

Effect of combined inoculation ofAzospirillum brasilense and vesicular-arbuscular mycorrhiza on pearl millet (Pennisetum americanum)

Summary Growth and phosphorus uptake of pearl millet (Pennisetum americanum) on an unsterile, phosphorus-deficient soil was improved by the seed inoculation withAzospirillum brasilense or soil inoculation with the vesicular-arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (Acaulospora,Gigaspora margarita, Glomus fasciculatum). These microorganisms acted synergistically when added simultaneously and the response was significant withAzospirillum brasilense + Gigaspora margarita andAzospirillum brasilense + Glomus fasciculatum combinations over uninoculated control as far as the dry matter content of shoots, root biomass and phosphorus uptake of the millet was concerned.     

The vesicular-arbuscular (VA) mycorrhiza and its effects on growth of vegetatively propagated Theobroma cacao L.

A greenhouse experiment was conducted to study the effects of mycorrhizal inoculation on growth and nutrient uptake of vegetatively propagated cocoa plants from the Sabah hybrid (NA 33 × PA 7) raised on unsterilized Munchong soils. Inoculation with mixed species of Scutellospora and Glomus, resulted in higher dry matter yield and stem diameter of mycorrhizal plants obtained through budding, air layering or marcotting (a form of asexual plant propagation using vegetative parts and the selection of a healthy branch and scraping off the bark at the lower end of the branch, forcing it to root by covering it with a ball of soil) and stem cutting. Budded and marcotted mycorrhizal plants gave a significant increase in P content of shoots. In contrast, only budded mycorrhizal plants (on both young and old rootstocks) gave a significantly higher Ca concentration in tops, compared to uninoculated plants.     

Alleviation of salt stress by arbuscular-mycorrhizal Glomus species in Lactuca sativa plants

Improved salt tolerance of mycorrhizal plants is commonly attributed to their better mineral nutrition, particularly phosphorus. However, the effect of arbuscular-mycorrhizal (AM) fungi on salt tolerance may not be limited to this mechanism. We investigated the possibility that non-nutritional effects of AM fungi, based on proline accumulation or increased photosynthesis and related parameters, can influence the tolerance of lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.) to salinity. Three levels of salt (3, 4 and 5 g NaCl kg^-1 dry soil) were applied and plants were maintained under these conditions for 7 weeks. The salt-treated AM plants produced greater root and shoot dry weights than unfertilized or P-fertilized non-AM controls. With increasing salinity, both shoot and root dry weights were reduced, but this decrease was greater in uninoculated plants. In particular, shoot dry weight was not reduced in G. fasciculatum-colonized plants as a consequence of salt, whereas in uninoculated plants it was reduced by about 35% at the highest salt level. Proline accumulation was considerably lower for P-amended non-AM and for AM plants except for G. mosseae-colonized plants than was the case for unamended plants. Transpiration, carbon dioxide exchange rate (CER), stomatal conductance and water use efficiency (WUE) were higher in mycorrhizal plants. At 5 g NaCl kg^-1, both photosynthesis and WUE increased by more than 100% in mycorrhizal treatment relative to uninoculated plants. The contents of phosphorus of P-fertilized non-AM plants was similar to or higher than those of G. mosseae- and G. fasciculatum-colonized plants. Plants colonized by G. deserticola had the highest P-content regardless of salt level. Hence, the effect of G. mosseae and G. fasciculatum on salt tolerance in this experiment could not be attributed to a difference in the P content. The mechanisms by which these two fungi alleviated salt stress appeared to be based on physiological processes (increased CER, transpiration, stomatal conductance and WUE) rather than on nutrient uptake (N or P).     

Differential effects of AM fungal isolates on Medicago truncatula growth and metal uptake in a multimetallic (Cd, Zn, Pb) contaminated agricultural soil

Toxic metal accumulation in soils of agricultural interest is a serious problem needing more attention, and investigations on soil–plant metal transfer must be pursued to better understand the processes involved in metal uptake. Arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi are known to influence metal transfer in plants by increasing plant biomass and reducing metal toxicity to plants even if diverging results were reported. The effects of five AM fungi isolated from metal contaminated or non-contaminated soils on metal (Cd, Zn) uptake by plant and transfer to leachates was assessed with Medicago truncatula grown in a multimetallic contaminated agricultural soil. Fungi isolated from metal-contaminated soils were more effective to reduce shoot Cd concentration. Metal uptake capacity differed between AM fungi and depended on the origin of the isolate. Not only fungal tolerance and ability to reduce metal concentrations in plant but also interactions with rhizobacteria affected heavy metal transfer and plant growth. Indeed, thanks to association with nodulating rhizobacteria, one Glomus intraradices inoculum increased particularly plant biomass which allowed exporting twofold more Cd and Zn in shoots as compared to non-mycorrhizal treatment. Cd concentrations in leachates were variable among fungal treatments, but can be significantly influenced by AM inoculation. The differential strategies of AM fungal colonisation in metal stress conditions are also discussed.     

Benefit and cost analysis and phosphorus efficiency of VA mycorrhizal fungi colonizations with sorghum (Sorghum bicolor) genotypes grown at varied phosphorus levels

Sorghum [Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench] was grown in a greenhouse in a low P (3.6 mg kg^-1) soil (Typic Argiudolls) inoculated with the vesicular-arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (VMAF) Glomus fasciculatum and P added at 0, 12.5, 25.0, and 37.5 mg kg^-1 soil to determine the effects of VAMF-root associations on plant growth, benefit and cost analysis, and P efficiency (dry matter produced/unit P absorbed). Root colonization with VAMF and shoot growth enhancements decreased with increased soil P applications. Mycorrhizal plants were less P efficient than nonmycorrhizal plants. Shoot dry matter differences between mycorrhizal and nonmycorrhizal plants were considered the benefit derived by plants from VAMF-root associations. Shoot dry matter differences between mycorrhizal and nonmycorrhizal plants with similar P concentrations were considered the costs paid by plants for VAMF-root associations. Values of benefit and cost analysis for VAMF-root associations were highest when soil P was lowest and decreased with increasing P applications. Genotypic differences for calculated costs were pronounced, but not benefits. Benefit and cost analysis.may be helpful to evaluate host plant genotypes and VAMF species to optimize efficiencies of VAMF symbiosis in different soil environments.     

A plasma membrane zinc transporter from Medicago truncatula is up-regulated in roots by Zn fertilization,yet down-regulated by arbuscular mycorrhizal colonization

Here we present a Zn transporter cDNA named MtZIP2 from the model legume Medicago truncatula. MtZIP2 encodes a putative 37 kDa protein with 8-membrane spanning domains and has moderate amino acid identity with the Arabidopsis thaliana Zn transporter AtZIP2p. MtZIP2 complemented a Zn-uptake mutant of yeast implying that the protein encoded by this gene can transport Zn across the yeast's plasma membrane. The product of a MtZIP2-GFP fusion construct introduced into onion cells by particle bombardment likewise localized to the plasma membrane. The MtZIP2 gene was expressed in roots and stems, but not in leaves of M. truncatula and, in contrast to all other plant Zn transporters characterized thus far, MtZIP2 was up-regulated in roots by Zn fertilization. Expression was highest in roots exposed to a toxic level of Zn. MtZIP2 expression was also examined in the roots of M. truncatula when colonized by the obligate plant symbiont, arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi, since AM fungi are renowned for their ability to supply plants with mineral nutrients, including Zn. Expression was down-regulated in the roots of the mycorrhizal plants and was associated with a reduced level of Zn within the host plant tissues.     

Soil�Cstrain compatibility: the key to effective use of arbuscular mycorrhizal inoculants?

Consistency of response to arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) inoculation is required for efficient use of AM fungi in plant production. Here, we found that the response triggered in plants by an AM strain depends on the properties of the soil where it is introduced. Two data sets from 130 different experiments assessing the outcome of a total of 548 replicated single inoculation trials conducted either in soils with a history of (1) high input agriculture (HIA; 343 replicated trials) or (2) in more pristine soils from coffee plantations (CA; 205 replicated trials) were examined. Plant response to inoculation with different AM strains in CA soils planted with coffee was related to soil properties associated with soil types. The strains Glomus fasciculatum-like and Glomus etunicatum-like were particularly performant in soil relatively rich in nutrients and organic matter. Paraglomus occultum and Glomus mosseae-like performed best in relatively poor soils, and G. mosseae and Glomus manihotis did best in soils of medium fertility. Acaulospora scrobiculata, Diversispora spurca, G. mosseae-like, G. mosseae and P. occultum stimulated coffee growth best in Chromic, Eutric Alluvial Cambisol, G. fasciculatum-like and G. etunicatum-like in Calcaric Cambisol and G. manihotis, in Chromic, Eutric Cambisols. Acaulospora scrobiculata and Diversispora spurca strains performed best in Chromic Alisols and Rodic Ferralsols. There was no significant relationship between plant response to AM fungal strains and soil properties in the HIA soil data set, may be due to variation induced by the use of different host plant species and to modification of soil properties by a history of intensive production. Consideration of the performance of AM fungal strains in target soil environments may well be the key for efficient management of the AM symbiosis in plant production.     

The improvement of plant N acquisition from an ammonium-treated,drought-stressed soil by the fungal symbiont in arbuscular mycorrhizae

The ability of the external mycelium in arbuscular mycorrhiza for N uptake and transport was studied. The contribution of the fungal symbiont to N acquisition by plants was studied mainly under waterstressed conditions using ¹⁵N. Lettuce (Lactuca sativa L) was the host for two isolates of the arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi Glomus mosseae and G. fasciculatum. The experimental pots had two soil compartments separated by a fine mesh screen (60 m). The root system was restricted to one of these compartments, while the fungal mycelium was able to cross the screen and colonize the soil in the hyphal compartment. A trace amount of ¹⁵NH ₄ ⁺ was applied to the hyphal compartment 1 week before harvest. Under water-stressed conditions both endophytes increased the ¹⁵N enrichment of plant tissues; this was negligible in nonmycorrhizal control plants. This indicates a direct effect of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi on N acquisition in relatively dry soils. G. mosseae had more effect on N uptake and G. fasciculatum on P uptake under the water-limited conditions tested, but both fungi improved plant biomass production relative to nonmycorrhizal plants to a similar extent.