Comparisons of the influence of vesicular-arbuscular mycorrhiza on the productivity of hedgerow woody legumes and cassava at the top and the base of a hillslope in alley cropping systems

We investigated the influence of vesicular-arbuscular mycorrhizal (VAM) inoculation on growth and nutrient relationships in two alley-cropping trials, one at the top and the other at the base of a hillslope. Each trial involved three woody hedgerow legumes with cassava (Manihot esculenta Crantz) as the sole intercrop. The hedgerow trees at the base of the slope showed greater survival and higher leaf dry weights than those at the top of the slope, although these parameters were not affected by VAM inoculation, either at the top or the base of the slope. In contrast to survival, the uptake of nutrients, particularly P and N, was higher for inoculated than uninoculated hedgerow trees, both at the top and at the base of slope. Increases in stem and leaf biomass and the uptake of nutrients by the trees were strongly correlated with increases in P uptake, indicating that the improvements were attributable to VAM inoculation. Cassava tuber yields at the base of the slope, from inoculated or uninoculated plants, were significantly greater than the corresponding cassava yields at the top of the slope. These increases at the base of the slope compared to the top of the slope were not attributed to available soil nutrients but to greater VAM spore density. Higher available soil moisture may have been another factor. Increasing the VAM spore density of effective mycorrhiza through proper agronomic practices at the top of a slope may bring about comparable yields on different parts of the slope.     

Influence of mycorrhizal inoculation and different pruning regimes on fresh root yield of alley and sole cropped cassava (manihot esculenta crantz) in Nigeria

The effect of mycorrhizal fungus inoculation on fresh root yield of cassava (Manihot esculenta crantz) cv TMS 4 (2) 1425 as influenced by two hedgerow tree species and their mixtures, subjected to 2- and 3-month pruning regimes were investigated in alley cropping experiments at three different sites within the same eco-climatic region in Nigeria. Mixture of the prunings of the two hedgerow tree species (Gliricidia sepium and Senna siamea) with mycorrhiza gave higher fresh root yield than the sole hedgerow tree with mycorrhizal inoculation. Gliricidia sepium prunings were found to give higher fresh root yield than the prunings from the Senna siamea. The 2-month prunings of G. sepium recorded higher yield than its 3-month prunings while 2-month prunings of Senna siamea recorded higher yield than its 3-month prunings. However, mycorrhiza inoculation with 2- and 3-month prunings in the two hedgerow species used were found higher than their counterparts without mycorrhizal inoculation in all the three sites. Mycorrhizal inoculation without the hedgerow prunings recorded the lowest fresh root yield but was still higher than the fresh root yield from the sole without mycorrhizal inoculation. Thus, inoculation with mycorrhiza increased alley-cropped cassava fresh root yield over uninoculated plants under both pruning regimes. Generally, this study shows that inoculation of cassava with mycorrhiza alone without mulching with prunings significantly increased cassava fresh root yield.     

Growth of cassava cultivar TMS 30572 as affected by alley-cropping and mycorrhizal inoculation

The effect of inoculation with Glomus clarum, a vesicular-arbuscular mycorrhiza fungus, and alley-cropping on the growth of the cassava cultivar, TMS 30572, was investigated under field conditions in a low nutrient tropical soil. Cassava was grown either interplanted between two hedgerow tree species (alley-cropped) or sole-cropped. Sub-plots were either inoculated with G. clarum or were not inoculated. No effort was made to destroy the indigenous mycorrhizal fungi. Three months after planting, no significant influence of G. clarum inoculation was observed on the growth of roots, shoots or leaf area index (LAI). However, with time, inoculation and system of cropping enhanced these growth parameters. Nine months after planting, the total biomass of alley-cropped cassava was significantly higher than that of inoculated and non-inoculated sole-cropped cassava. Inoculation had led to an increase in the fresh tuber yield of both the alley- and sole-cropped cassava 12 months after planting. The LAI of both alley- and sole-cropped cassava inoculated with G. clarum increased. Received: 6 December 1996     

Effect of vesicular-arbuscular mycorrhizae and zinc application on dry matter and zinc uptake of greengram (Vigna radiata L. Wilczek)

Summary In a greenhouse study we examined the effects of vesicular-arbuscular mycorrhizae (VAM) inoculation, using Glomus macrocarpum and of Zn application on dry matter production and Zn uptake by greengram in two mollisols. The VAM inoculation significantly increased the dry weight of different plant parts and the Zn uptake in both soils. Inoculated plants showed a greater response to the application of Zn at 2.5 and 5.0 mg kg^-1 soil in a Zn deficient clay loam soil. The inoculated plants also absorbed — more water than the uninoculated plants. Mass flow and diffusion were the principal processes by which Zn reached the plant roots; mass flow was particularly important in the absence of VAM in a sandy soil fertilized with higher Zn doses (5 and 10 mg kg^-1 soil). The greater supply of Zn to inoculated roots was attributed to an apparent diffusion process rather than to mass flow of Zn.     

Dual inoculation of pretransplant stage Oryza sativa L. plants with indigenous vesicular-arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi and fluorescent Pseudomonas spp.

Summary This study examined the response of rice (Oryza sativa L.) plants at the pretransplant/nursery stage to inoculation with vesicular-arbuscular mycorrhizal (VAM) fungi and fluorescent Pseudomonas spp., singly or in combination. The VAM fungi and fluorescent Pseudomonas spp. were isolated from the rhizosphere of rice plants. In the plants grown in soil inoculated with fluorescent Pseudomonas spp. alone, I found increases in shoot growth, and in root length and fine roots, and decreases in root growth, and P and N concentrations. In contrast, in the plants colonized by VAM fungi alone, the results were the reverse of those of the pseudomonad treatment. Dual inoculation of soil with VAM fungi and fluorescent Pseudomonas spp. yielded plants with the highest biomass and nutrient acquisition. In contrast, the plants of the control treatment had the lowest biomass and nutrient levels. The dual-inoculated plants had intermediate root and specific root lengths. The precentages of mycorrhizal colonization and colonized root lengths were significantly lower in the dual-inoculated treatment than the VAM fungal treatment. Inoculation of plants with fluorescent Pseudomonas spp. suppressed VAM fungal colonization and apparently reduced photosynthate loss to the mycorrhizal associates, which led to greater biomass and nutrient levels in dual-inoculated plants compared with plants inoculated with VAM fungi alone. Dual inoculation of seedlings with fluorescent Pseudomonas spp. and VAM fungi may be preferable to inoculation with VAM alone and may contribute to the successful establishment of these plants in the field.     

The sensitivity of three vesicular‐arbuscular mycorrhizal species to simulated erosion

Abstract

A greenhouse experiment was conducted to determine the effectiveness of three vesicular‐arbuscular mycorrhizal (VAM) species in an Oxisol subjected to simulated erosion using Leucaena leucocephala as an indicator host. The extent of colonization of leucaena roots increased significantly due to VAM inoculation of the eroded and uneroded soils. The highest level of VAM colonization was observed when leucaena was grown in association with Glomus aggregatum. followed by G. mosseae and G. etunicatum. Increased infection associated with inoculation of the eroded soil did not result in enhanced mycorrhizal effectiveness. Inoculation of the uneroded soil, however, led to significant improvement in root colonization as well as in symbiotic effectiveness. Suppression in expression of mycorrhizal effectiveness in the eroded soil appears to be a result of nutrient deficiency. The results suggest the importance of restoring lost nutrients before differences in VAM species could be effectively exploited for a successful establishment of a mycorrhizal plants in eroded soils.     

Nitrogen contribution by leucaena (Leucaena leucocephala) prunings to maize in an alley cropping system

Summary The N uptake of maize was assessed on an Alfisol in a sole crop and in an alley cropping system in southwestern Nigeria. Although the application of prunings increased the maize N content in both sole and alley-cropped maize, the N contributed to the maize by the prunings was low, ranging between 4.4 and 23.8 kg ha^–1. This was equivalent to 3.2% and 9.407% of the N released during decomposition of the prunings. Application of the prunings increased the grain yields of the sole maize by 38% and the maize yield in the alley-cropped plots by 104%, compared with yields in the corresponding plots where prunings were not applied. The results indicate that part of the N from the prunings was retained in the soil organic-N pool. Maize N, dry weights and grain yields were lowest in the alley-cropped plots where prunings were removed, probably because of competition between the maize and the hedgerow trees.     

Mycorrhizal dependency of two hawaiian endemic tree species: Koa and mamane 1

Vesicular‐arbuscular mycorrhizal (VAM) fungi have been proposed as a low‐input solution to the problem of inadequate phosphorus (P) levels in many tropical and subtropical soils. To determine the mycorrhizal dependency of two Hawaiian endemic tree species, mamane (Sophora chrysophylla Seem.) and koa (Acacia koa Gray), seedlings were grown in the greenhouse with and without the VAM fungus, Glomus aggregatum Schenck and Smith emend Koske, at three levels of soil solution P (0,0.02, and 0.20 mg P/L) in a volcanic ash soil. Inoculation significantly increased colonization of roots by the VAM fungus in both mamane and koa seedlings. At 0.02 mg P/L, mamane inoculated with the VAM fungus had significantly greater subleaflet P concentrations at 48 days after planting (DAP), and significantly greater leaf areas, shoot dry weights, and root lengths at harvest compared to uninoculated plants. At 0 mg P/L, koa grown in association with the VAM fungus had significantly greater subleaflet P concentrations at 41 DAP, and significantly greater leaf areas, and dry weights of leaves, stems, and roots at harvest. Mamane was highly dependent on the VAM association for maximum growth, while koa was moderately dependent on the VAM association. These results demonstrate that P uptake and early growth of mamane and koa can be increased significantly at low soil P levels by inoculating seedlings with an effective VAM fungus. Future research needs to demonstrate continuing positive growth benefits of VAM fungal inoculation after transplanting from the nursery to field conditions.     

Leucaena hedgerow intercropping and cattle manure application in the Ethiopian highlands II. Maize yields and nutrient uptake

 The effects of Leucaena leucocephala and L. pallida prunings and cattle manure on maize nutrient uptake and yield were investigated in a hedgerow intercropping trial in the Ethiopian highlands. Hedgerow intercropping (also called alley cropping) is an agroforestry system in which trees are grown in dense hedges between alleys where short-cycle crops are grown. The hedges are pruned periodically during the cropping period and the prunings are added to the soil as green manure. For each leucaena species, the experiment had 16 treatments resulting from a factorial combination of four levels of leucaena leaf prunings (no prunings applied; first prunings applied; first and second prunings applied; first, second and third prunings applied), two levels of air-dried cattle manure (0 and 3 t dry matter ha^–1) and two levels of N fertilizer (0 and 40 kg N ha^–1 as urea). Uptake of N, P and K increased significantly with application of the three nutrient sources, but uptake of Ca and Mg either did not respond or decreased with application of prunings and manure. All the three factors increased maize grain and stover yields significantly, usually with no significant interactions between the factors. At least two applications of prunings were required to significantly increase nutrient uptake and maize yield. Maize in the row closest to the hedge did not respond to these nutrient inputs. It is concluded that hedgerow intercropping, with or without manure application, can increase crop yields moderately (to 2–3 t ha^–1 maize grain yields) in the highlands, but P, Ca and Mg may have to be supplied from external sources if they are deficient in the soil. Additional N is still required for higher yields (>4 t ha^–1 maize grain yields). However, quantification of the competition effects of the trees is also required to confirm these results. Received: 27 January 1997     

Responses of directly seeded wetland rice to arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi inoculation

The mycorrhizal enhancement of plant growth is generally attributed to increased nutrients uptake. A greenhouse experiment was conducted to investigate the effect of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) inoculation on the growth and nutrient uptake of directly seeded wetland rice. Seeds were germinated and inoculated with arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi or left uninoculated. The plants were grown at 60% of ‐0.03 MPa to establish the mycorrhizas. After 5 weeks, half of the pots were harvested and the rest were flooded with deionized water to maintain 3–5 cm of standing water until harvesting (122 days after sowing). Mycorrhizal fungal colonization of rice roots was 36.2% at harvest. Mycorrhizal fungi inoculated rice seedlings grew better compared to uninoculated seedlings and had increased grain yield (10%) at the harvesting stage. Shoot and root growth were effectively increased by AMF inoculation at the harvesting stage. The nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) acquisition of direct seeding wetland rice were significantly increased by AMF inoculation. The AMF enhanced N and P translocation through the hyphae from soils to roots/shoots to grains effectively.     

Interactions of Glomus clarum with Acetobacter diazotrophicus in infection of sweet potato (Ipomoea batatas), sugarcane (Saccharum spp.), and sweet sorghum (Sorghum vulgare)

Summary Spores of the vesicular-arbuscular mycorrhizal (VAM) fungus Glomus clarum obtained from sweet potatoes grown in soil inoculated with this fungus and with an enrichment culture of Acetobacter diazotrophicus contained A. diazotrophicus and several other bacteria, including a diazotrophic Klebsiella sp. Inoculation of micropropagated sweet potatoes with G. clarum and A. diazotrophicus enhanced spore formation in soil compared to VAM inoculation alone. Plants inoculated with VAM spores containing the bacteria showed additional increases in the number of spores formed within roots. A. diazotrophicus infected aerial plant parts only when inoculated together with VAM or when present within VAM spores. Micropropagated sugarcane seedlings inoculated with the same VAM spores containing the diazotrophs also contained much higher numbers of A. diazotrophicus in aerial parts than seedlings inoculated in vitro with the bacteria alone. When grown in non-sterile soil, the sugarcane seedlings again showed the greatest infection of aerial parts after inoculation with VAM spores containing the diazotrophs. This treatment also increased VAM colonization and the numbers of spores formed within roots. Similar effects were observed in sweet sorghum except that the aerial plant parts were not infected by A. diazotrophicus.     

Growth response of field-grown Siratro (Macroptilium atropurpureum Urb.) and Aeschynomene american L. to inoculation with selected vesicular-arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi

Summary The effect of inoculation with a selected isolate of Glomus etunicatum Becker and Gerdemann and one of G. intraradices Schenck and Smith on the growth and nutrient content of Macroptilium atropurpureum Urb. cv. Siratro and Aeschynomene americana L., at applied P levels of 10, 30, 60, and 120 kg ha^-1, was studied under field conditions. At all P levels and for all harvests, the shoot dry mass of Siratro and A. americana were greater for the plants inoculated with the vesicular-arbuscular mycorrhizal (VAM) fungi than the control plants. Differences between the VAM fungus-inoculated and the control plants were most marked between 30 and 90 kg ha^-1 of applied P and diminished at 120 kg ha^-1. At the first harvest of Siratro, the plants inoculated with G. etunicatum had a greater shoot dry mass than those inoculated with G. intraradices, for all levels of applied P. However, for subsequent harvest of Siratro and for the one harvest of A. americana the response of shoot dry mass to the two VAM fungi was equivocal. Fungal inoculation gave at least a 30% saving in the amount of P fertilizer required (40 kg ha^-1) for the maximum yield. The plants inoculated with VAM fungi had a greater tissue concentration and total content of P and N than the control plants at low and intermediate levels of applied P. The percentage of root colonized by VAM fungi for the inoculated plants of the two legumes increased linearly with P additions up to 60 kg ha^-1. The conclusion is that under amended (limed and fertilized) soil conditions, inoculation with selected VAM fungi can improve the establishement and growth of forage legumes in fields that contain ineffective populations of native VAM fungi.     

Responses by iron-efficient and inefficient oat cultivars to inoculation with siderophore-producing bacteria in a calcareous soil

Rhizosphere bacteria may enhance plant uptake of Fe by producing siderophores that chelate sparingly soluble Fe³⁺ in calcareous soils. To evaluate the extent to which plants benefit from colonization of the roots by prolific siderophore-producing bacteria, we inoculated two oat cultivars with six strains of bacteria that produced high concentrations of siderophores under Felimiting conditions in vitro. Oat cv Coker 227, an Fe-efficient cultivar, which produces the phytosiderophore avenic acid, and cv TAM 0-312, and Fe-inefficient cultivar, which does not produce the phytosiderophore, were grown in a calcareous soil (Weswood silt loam) on a light bench in the laboratory. Half of the plants were fertilized with a nutrient solution containing 5 mM Fe and half with a nutrient solution containing no Fe. After 6 weeks of growth, we compared colonization of the roots by the inoculant bacteria and the dry weight and Fe content of roots and shoots. Three species of Pseudomonas colonized the roots of both oat cultivars in high numbers (10⁶ cells g^-1 root dry weight), whereas the remaining bacteria colonized the roots in substantially lower numbers (10⁴ cells g^-1 root dry weight). Plants fertilized with 5 mM Fe were larger and supported greater numbers or rhizosphere bacteria per gram of root than plants not supplied with Fe. Comparisons of the Fe content and dry weight of roots and shoots revealed few significant differences between inoculated and uninoculated plants, or among the plants inoculated with the different strains of siderophore-producing bacteria. The differences that were observed revealed no consistent response to inoculation. We conclude that inoculation of the roots of the two oat cultivars with bacteria that produce high concentrations of siderophores in response to an Fe deficiency had little or no effect on Fe acquisition by the plants.     

Leucaena hedgerow intercropping and cattle manure application in the Ethiopian highlands I. Decomposition and nutrient release

 A litter bag technique was used to study the decomposition and release of N, P, K, Ca, and Mg from Leucaena leucocephala and L. pallida prunings and cattle manure in a hedgerow intercropping trial conducted in the Ethiopian highlands. Hedgerow intercropping (also called alley cropping or alley farming) is an agroforestry system in which trees are grown in dense hedges between alleys where short-cycle crops are grown. The hedges are pruned periodically during the cropping period and the prunings are added to the soil as green manure. Manure was the most resistant to decomposition, losing only 15% of its dry matter (DM) in 15 weeks, compared to 41–57% lost by leucaena prunings. Large quantities of K (up to 104 kg ha^–1) were mineralized from prunings and manure, but Ca and Mg were mostly immobilized. More N and P were released from prunings than from manure, which resulted in net immobilization of these nutrients in the initial stages of decomposition and net mineralization in later stages. Between the leucaenas more N was mineralized and less Ca and Mg were immobilized when L. leucocephala prunings were applied than when L. pallida prunings were applied. Fertilizer N increased DM decomposition and N mineralization. Mineralization of the nutrients was constrained by lignin and polyphenol contents. It is concluded that leucaena mulch and cattle manure may be significant sources of N and K for crop growth, but external sources of P, Ca and Mg may be required, particularly in acid soils which have low contents of these nutrients. However, this fertility effect has to be evaluated against the competition effect of trees to predict crop response. Received: 27 January 1997     

Effects of mes [2(n‐morpholino)‐ethanesulfonic acid] and ph on mineral nutrient uptake by mycor‐rhizal and nonmycorrhizal maize

Mycorrhizal (+VAM) and nonmycorrhizal (‐VAM) maize (Zea mays L.) plants were grown in sand culture in a greenhouse to determine effects of MES [2(N‐morpholino)‐ethanesulfonic acid] (2.0 mM) and pH (4.0, 5.0, 6.0, and 7.0) on mineral nutrient uptake. Plants were inoculated with the vesicular‐arbuscular mycorrhizal (VAM) isolate Glomus intraradices UT143. Shoot and root dry matter yields were lower in plants grown with MES (+MES) than without MES (‐MES), and decreased as pH increased. Shoot concentrations of N, Ca, Mg, Mn, and Zn were generally higher in +MES than in ‐MES plants, and nutrient contents of most nutrients were generally higher in + MES than in ‐MES plants. Concentrations of N, Ca, Mg, and Mn increased and P, S, and Fe decreased, while contents of all measured nutrients except Mn and Zn decreased as pH increased. Concentrations of Mn, Fe, Zn, and Cu were higher in +VAM than in ‐VAM plants, and contents of P and Ca were higher in ‐VAM than in +VAM plants and Zn content was higher in +VAM than in ‐VAM plants. MES had marked effects on mineral nutrient uptake which should be considered when MES is used to control pH of nutrient solutions for growth of maize.     

Effects of excess manganese on mineral uptake in mycorrhizal sorghum

Associations between vesicular‐arbuscular mycorrhizal (VAM) fungi and manganese (Mn) nutrition/toxicity are not clear. This study was conducted to determine the effects of excess levels of Mn on mineral nutrient uptake in shoots and roots of mycorrhizal (+VAM) and non‐mycorrhizal (‐VAM) sorghum [Sorghum bicolor (L) Moench, cv. NB9040]. Plants colonized with and without two VAM isolates [Glomus intraradices UT143–2 (UT1 43) and Gl. etunicatum UT316A‐2 (UT316)] were grown in sand irrigated with nutrient solution at pH 4.8 containing 0, 270, 540, and 1080 μM of added Mn (as manganese chloride) above the basal solution (18 μM). Shoot and root dry matter followed the sequence of UT316 > UT143 > ‐VAM, and shoots had greater differences than roots. Shoot and root concentrations and contents of Mn, phosphorus (P), sulfur (S), potassium (K), calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg), iron (Fe), zinc (Zn), and copper (Cu were determined. The +VAM plants generally had higher mineral nutrient concentrations and contents than ‐VAM plants, although ‐VAM plants had higher concentrations and contents of some minerals than +VAM plants at some Mn levels. Plants colonized with UT143 had higher concentrations of shoot P, Ca, Zn, and Cu and higher root Mg, Zn, and Cu than UT316 colonized plants, while UT316 colonized plants had higher shoot and root K concentrations than UT143 colonized plants. These results showed that VAM isolates differ in enhancement of mineral nutrient uptake by sorghum.     

Leucaena hedgerow intercropping and cattle manure application in the Ethiopian highlands III. Nutrient balances

 Balances between nutrients applied or mineralized and nutrients removed in maize grain and stover were calculated in a hedgerow intercropping experiment in which Leucaena leucocephala and L. pallida prunings and cattle manure were applied. Hedgerow intercropping (also called alley cropping) is an agroforestry system in which trees are grown in dense hedges between alleys where short-cycle crops are grown. The hedges are pruned periodically during the cropping period and the prunings are added to the soil as green manure. In control treatments, nutrient depletion per season was in the order of 7–19 kg N ha^–1, 4–12 kg P ha^–1, 10–26 kg K ha^–1, 0–2 kg Ca ha^–1 and 3–6 kg Mg ha^–1. N fertilizer reversed the depletion of N, but it accelerated the depletion of the other nutrients. Manure and at least two applications of leucaena prunings resulted in net positive balances of N, K, and Ca between amounts applied or mineralized and amounts removed by maize. The amounts of P and Mg applied with, or mineralized from, prunings or manure were insufficient to offset the negative balances of these nutrients. Received: 27 January 1998     

Effects of excess aluminum on mineral uptake in mycorrhizal sorghum

Soil acidity is often associated with toxic aluminum (Al), and mineral uptake usually decreases in plants grown with excess Al. This study was conducted to evaluate the effects of Al (0, 35, 70, and 105 μM) on Al, phsophorus (P), sulfur (S), potassium (K), calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg), iron (Fe), manganese (Mn), zinc (Zn,) and copper (Cu) uptake in shoots and roots of sorghum [Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench, cv. SC283] colonized with the vesicular‐arbuscular mycorrhizal (VAM) fungi isolates Glomus intraradices UT143–2 (UT143) and Glomus etunicatum UT316A‐2 (UT316) and grown in sand (pH 4.8). Mycorrhizal (+VAM) plants had higher shoot and root dry matter (DM) than nonmycorrhizal (‐VAM) plants. The VAM treatment had significant effects on shoot concentrations of P, K, Ca, Fe, Mn, and Zn; shoot contents of P, S, K, Ca, Mg, Fe, Mn, Zn, and Cu; root concentrations of P, S, K, Ca, Mn, Zn, and Cu; and root contents of Al, P, S, K, Ca, Mg, Fe, Mn, Zn, and Cu. The VAM effects on nutrient concentrations and contents and DM generally followed the sequence of UT316 > UT143 > ‐VAM. The VAM isolate UT143 particularly enhanced Zn uptake, and both VAM isolates enhanced uptake of P and Cu in shoots and roots, and various other nutrients in shoots or roots.     

AM真菌对田间山银花生长、矿质营养及绿原酸含量的影响

Lonicera confusa, a traditional Chinese medicine herb for treating cold, flu, acute fever, and so forth, is often grown artificially in acidic soils and suffers from phosphorus (P) deficiency. A five-year field experiment was carried out to study the colonization rate, growth, nutrition, and chlorogenic acid content of Lonicera confusa seedlings inoculated with arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi, Glomus etunicatum and Glomus intraradices. Before transplanting into a field, both AM-inoculated and uninoculated control plants were cultured in nursery beds. In the plants inoculated with the AM fungi, the colonization rate decreased linearly with time and a greater decrease was observed in the plants inoculated with G. intraradices than with G. etunicatum, while the AM colonization increased from 0% to 12.1% in the uninoculated control plants 5 years after transplanting. Plant height, crown diameter, number of new branches, and flower yield increased significantly by AM inoculation as compared to the uninoculated control. Phosphorus concentrations in leaves and flowers increased, and plant uptake of nutrients, e.g., nitrogen (N), P, and potassium (K), was also enhanced significantly by AM inoculation. The Lonicera confusa seedlings had a better response to inoculation of G. intraradices than G. etunicatum in both growth and chlorogenic acid content in flowers. In contrast, both plant P uptake and P concentrations in leaves and flowers were similar between two fungal inoculations. The positive responses of Lonicera confusa to AM inoculation in growth, nutrient uptake, flowering, and chlorogenic acid content in flowers suggested that AM inoculation in nursery beds could promote the plant growth and increase chlorogenic acid content in flowers of Lonicera confusa when grown on acidic and P-deficient soils.     

Interactions between drought stress and vesicular-arbuscular mycorrhiza on the growth of Faidherbia albida (syn. Acacia albida) and Acacia nilotica in sterile and non-sterile soils

Summary Faidherbia albida (syn. Acacia albida) (Del.) A. Chev. and Acacia nilotica (L.) Willd. were grown for 18 weeks in sterile and non-sterile soils inoculated with Glomus clarum (Nicolson and Schenck). During this period, drought stress was imposed for the last 10 (F. albida) or 12 weeks (A. nilotica) at 2-week intervals. A greater number of leaves abscissed in drought-stressed mycorrhizal plants of A. nilotica than drought-stressed non-mycorrhizal and unstressed plants. In F. albida, the number of abscissed leaves was few and similar for all treatments. At the end of the drought stress, inoculation with vesicular-arbuscular mycorrhizal (VAM) fungi in sterile soil increased the plant biomass of the two tree species compared to the control plants. In non-sterile soil, the mycorrhizal growth response of introduced G. clarum equalled the effect of indigenous VAM fungi. There were significant interactions between the mycorrhizal and drought stress treatments and between the mycorrhizal and soil treatments for plant biomass and P uptake in F. albida. The absence of these interactions except for that between the mycorrhizal and soil treatments in A. nilotica indicates that the increased plant biomass and nutrient uptake cannot be attributed directly to a mycorrhizal contribution to drought tolerance. F. albida tolerated the drought stress by producing long tap roots and similar weights of dry matter in shoots and roots. Whereas A. nilotica tolerated the drought stress by developing larger root systems able to explore a greater volume of soil, in addition to leaf abscission, for a favourable internal water status. The introduction of G. clarum increased nodulation by A. nilotica under unstressed conditions, but at the expense of a reduced P uptake in sterile soil.