scholarly journals Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi and Nutrition Determine the Outcome of Competition Between Lolium multiflorum and Trifolium subterraneum

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stephan Unger ◽  
Franziska M. Habermann ◽  
Katarina Schenke ◽  
Marjan Jongen
Keyword(s):  
Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi ◽  
Mycorrhizal Fungi ◽  
Lolium Multiflorum ◽  
Trifolium Subterraneum ◽  
Arbuscular Mycorrhizal ◽  
N Fertilization ◽  
Competitive Balance ◽  
Plant Interactions ◽  
P Fertilization ◽  
The Cost

Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) may affect competitive plant interactions, which are considered a prevalent force in shaping plant communities. Aiming at understanding the role of AMF in the competition between two pasture species and its dependence on soil nutritional status, a pot experiment with mycorrhizal and non-mycorrhizal Lolium multiflorum and Trifolium subterraneum was conducted, with manipulation of species composition (five levels), and nitrogen (N)- and phosphorus (P)- fertilization (three levels). In the non-mycorrhizal state, interspecific competition did not play a major role. However, in the presence of AMF, Lolium was the strongest competitor, with this species being facilitated by Trifolium. While N-fertilization did not change the competitive balance, P-fertilization gave Lolium, a competitive advantage over Trifolium. The effect of AMF on the competitive outcome may be driven by differential C-P trade benefits, with Lolium modulating carbon investment in the mycorrhizal network and the arbuscule/vesicle ratio at the cost of Trifolium.

Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi alleviate abiotic stresses in potato plants caused by low phosphorus and deficit irrigation/partial root-zone drying

2018 ◽  
Vol 156 (1) ◽  
pp. 46-58 ◽  
Author(s):  
Caixia Liu ◽  
Sabine Ravnskov ◽  
Fulai Liu ◽  
Gitte H. Rubæk ◽  
Mathias N. Andersen
Keyword(s):  
Plant Growth ◽  
Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi ◽  
Mycorrhizal Fungi ◽  
Growth Response ◽  
Root Zone ◽  
Plant Biomass ◽  
N Uptake ◽  
Arbuscular Mycorrhizal ◽  
P Fertilization ◽  
Low Phosphorus

AbstractDeficit irrigation (DI) improves water use efficiency (WUE), but the reduced water input often limits plant growth and nutrient uptake. The current study examined whether arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) could alleviate abiotic stress caused by low phosphorus (P) fertilization and DI.A greenhouse experiment was conducted with potato grown with (P1) or without (P0) P fertilization, with AMF (M1+:Rhizophagus irregularisor M2+:Glomus proliferum) or AMF-free control (M−) and subjected to full irrigation (FI), DI or partial root-zone drying (PRD).Inoculation of M1+ and M2+ maintained or improved plant growth and P/nitrogen (N) uptake when subjected to DI/PRD and P0. However, the positive responses to AMF varied with P level and irrigation regime. Functional differences were found in ability of AMF species alleviating plant stress. The largest positive plant biomass response to M1+ and M2+ was found under FI, both at P1 and P0 (25% increase), while plant biomass response to M1+ and M2+ under DI/PRD (14% increase) was significantly smaller. The large growth response to AMF inoculation, particularly under FI, may relate to greater photosynthetic capacity and leaf area, probably caused by stimulation of plant P/N uptake and carbon partitioning toward roots and tubers. However, plant growth response to AMF was not related to the percentage of AMF root colonization. Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi can maintain and improve P/N uptake, WUE and growth of plants both at high/low P levels and under FI/DI. If this is also the case under field conditions, it should be implemented for sustainable potato production.

The Role of Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi in Agro- and Natural Ecosystems

2000 ◽  
Vol 29 (1) ◽  
pp. 55-62 ◽  
Author(s):  
J.C. Dodd
Keyword(s):  
Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi ◽  
Mycorrhizal Fungi ◽  
Arbuscular Mycorrhizal ◽  
Land Plant ◽  
Fungal Mycelium ◽  
Plant Interactions ◽  
Natural Ecosystems ◽  
Soil Pathogens ◽  
Fundamental Reason ◽  
Plant Families

Symbionts called ‘mycorrhizal fungi’ occur in most biomes on earth, and are a fundamental reason for plant growth and development on the planet. The most common group of mycorrhizal fungi is that of the arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF), which colonize the roots of over 80% of land plant families, but they cannot as yet be cultured away from the host plant. AMF are primarily responsible for nutrient transfer from soil to plant, but have other roles such as soil aggregation, protection of plants against drought stress and soil pathogens, and increasing plant diversity. This is achieved by the growth of their fungal mycelium within a host root and out into the soil beyond. There is an urgent need to study the below-ground microbiology of soils in agro-and natural ecosystems, as AMF are pivotal in closing nutrient cycles and have a proven multifunctional role in soil–plant interactions. More information is also needed on the biodiversity and functional diversity of these microbes and their interactions with crops and plants.

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