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.     

The influence of inorganic nutrient fertilization on the growth,nutrient composition and vesicular-arbuscular mycorrhizal colonization of pretransplant rice (Oryza sativa L.) plants

Summary The effects of P, N and Ca+Mg fertilization on biomass production, leaf area, root length, vesiculararbuscular mycorrhizal (VAM) colonization, and shoot and root nutrient concentrations of pretransplant rice (Oryza sativa L.) plants were investigated. Mycorrhizal plants generally had a higher biomass and P, N, K, Ca, Mn, Fe, Cu, Na, B, Zn, Al, Mg, and S shoot-tissue nutrient concentrations than non-mycorrhizal plants. Although mycorrhizal plants always had higher root-tissue nutrient concentrations than non-mycorrhizal plants, they were not significantly different, except for Mn. N fertilization stimulated colonization of the root system (colonized root length), and increased biomass production and nutrient concentrations of mycorrhizal plants. Biomass increases due to N were larger when the plants were not fertilized with additional P. P fertilization reduced the colonized root length and biomass production of mycorrhizal plants. The base treatment (Ca+Mg) did not significantly affect biomass production but increased the colonized root length. These results stress the importance of evaluating the VAM rice symbiosis under various fertilization regimes. The results of this study suggest that pretransplant mycorrhizal rice plants may have a potential for better field establishment than non-mycorrhizal plants.     

Comparative effects of vesicular-arbuscular mycorrhizal inoculation and phosphorus fertilization on growth and phosphorus uptake of maize (Zea mays L.) and sorghum (Sorghum bicolor L.) plants under drought-stressed conditions

Maize (Zea mays L.) and sorghum (Sorghum bicolor L.) Moench (local variety called Masakwat) plants were grown in a sterilized low-P soil in the greenhouse for 12 weeks. Each plant species was either mycorrhizal with vesicular-arbuscular mycorrhizal (VAM) fungi, non-mycorrhizal but minimally fertilized with soluble P, or non-mycorrhizal but highly fertilized with soluble P. Drought stress was imposed after 4 weeks at weekly intervals. Under unstressed conditions, leaf area, shoot dry weights, xylem pressure, and soil water potentials were similar for VAM and the two non-mycorrhizal P-fertilized treatments but each of the VAM-infected species had a greater total root length. Total P uptake was similar for the maize treatments but higher for VAM than non-mycorrhizal P-fertilized sorghum treatments. Under drought-stressed conditions, the growth parameters and soil water potential were similar for all maize treatments but they were reduced by mycorrhizal inoculation in sorghum. Greater water extraction occurred in drought-stressed mycorrhizal sorghum. In both plant species, total P uptake and P uptake per unit root length (including unstressed species) were significantly enhanced in non-mycorrhizal P-fertilized treatments compared with the mycorrhizal treatment. Except for the root dry weight of sorghum plants, there were no differences in the growth parameters and P uptake between minimally and highly P-fertilized non-mycorrhizal treatments for either maize or sorghum. The increased total root length in drought-stressed mycorrhizal sorghum plants and the similar infected root lengths in unstressed and drought-stressed sorghum plants may have caused high C partitioning to drought-stressed mycorrhizal roots and therefore caused the reduced growth parameters in mycorrhizal plants compared to the non-mycorrhizal P-fertilized counterparts. The results indicate that P fertilization in addition to mycorrhizal inoculation may improve the drought tolerance of maize and sorghum plants.     

Soil pH,rhizobia, and vesicular-arbuscular mycorrhizae inoculation effects on growth and heavy metal uptake of alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.)

Summary The interaction between soil pH and inoculation with rhizobia and vesicular-arbuscular mycorrhizae (VAM) was studied in an industrially polluted soil contaminated with high levels of Zn and Cd. A silt loam soil (pH 6.7) was amended with Ca(OH)₂ or elemental S to adjust the soil pH to 4.3, 5.3, 6.0, and 7.2. Alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) was planted in each treated soil an subsequently inoculated with Rhizobium meliloti and/or a mixed VAM spore population. Alfalfa growing in soils at a pH of 4.3 and 5.3 failed to survive as a result of soil acidity and heavy metal toxicity. At the three higher pH values, growth and foliar N and P were significantly increased by inoculation with rhizobia or VAM. The greatest increase was observed when both VAM and rhizobia were inoculated together into the soil. With a soil pH of 6.0 and 6.7, the available heavy metal concentration in the soil was high and the VAM significantly decreased heavy metal uptake from these soils. The foliar concentration of Zn was reduced from 455 to 306 g g^–1 by inoculation with VAM (pH 6.0). At the highest soil pH (7.2), however, available heavy metal concentrations were generally lower and NAM significantly increased the heavy metal uptake. The influence of VAM on heavy metal uptake thus appears to be partly a function of the available heavy metal content in the soil.     

Use of nutrient: phosphorus ratios to evaluate the effects of vesicular arbuscular mycorrhiza on nutrient uptake in unsterilized soils

Summary Red clover was grown in soil previously treated with P at various rates, and growth, nutrient uptake, nutrient uptake in relation to phosphorus values, and levels of vesicular-arbuscular mycorrhizal (VAM) infection were determined. The soil was a silty clay loam and Glomus lacteum was the only fungus colonizing the plant roots. An examination of the effects of various rates of P application and of VAM colonization on nutrient (P, K, Ca, Mg, Mn, Fe, and Zn) uptake showed that the Mg : P ratio significantly increased and the Mn : P ratio significantly decreased with increasing VAM infection. It is concluded that in the Trifolium pratense-Glomus lacteum symbiosis, mycorrhizae improve Mg uptake and depress Mn uptake.     

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.     

Acidity,nutrient stocks,and organic‐matter content in soils of a temperate deciduous forest with different abundance of European beech (Fagus sylvatica L.)

The production and composition of leaf litter, soil acidity, exchangeable nutrients, and the amount and distribution of soil organic matter were analyzed in a broad‐leaved mixed forest on loess over limestone in Central Germany. The study aimed at determining the current variability of surface‐soil acidification and nutrient status, and at identifying and evaluating the main factors that contributed to the variability of these soil properties along a gradient of decreasing predominance of European beech (Fagus sylvatica L.) and increasing tree‐species diversity. Analyses were carried out in (1) mature monospecific stands with a predominance of beech (DL 1), (2) mature stands dominated by three deciduous‐tree species (DL 2: beech, ash [Fraxinus excelsior L.], lime [Tilia cordata Mill. and/or T. platyphyllos Scop.]), and (3) mature stands dominated by five deciduous‐tree species (DL 3: beech, ash, lime, hornbeam [Carpinus betulus L.], maple [Acer pseudoplatanus L. and/or A. platanoides L.]). The production of leaf litter was similar in all stands (3.2 to 3.9 Mg dry matter ha^–1 y^–1) but the total quantity of Ca and Mg deposited on the soil surface by leaf litter increased with increasing tree‐species diversity and decreasing abundance of beech (47 to 88 kg Ca ha^–1 y^–1; 3.8 to 7.9 kg Mg ha^–1 y^–1). The soil pH_(H2O) and base saturation (BS) measured at three soil depths down to 30 cm (0–10 cm, 10–20 cm, 20–30 cm) were lower in stands dominated by beech (pH = 4.2 to 4.4, BS = 15% to 20%) than in mixed stands (pH = 5.1 to 6.5, BS = 80% to 100%). The quantities of exchangeable Al and Mn increased with decreasing pH and were highest beneath beech. Total stocks of exchangeable Ca (0–30 cm) were 12 to 15 times larger in mixed stands (6660 to 9650 kg ha^–1) than in beech stands (620 kg ha^–1). Similar results were found for stocks of exchangeable Mg that were 4 to 13 times larger in mixed stands (270 to 864 kg ha^–1) than in beech stands (66 kg ha^–1). Subsoil clay content and differences in litter composition were identified as important factors that contributed to the observed variability of soil acidification and stocks of exchangeable Ca and Mg. Organic‐C accumulation in the humus layer was highest in beech stands (0.81 kg m^–2) and lowest in stands with the highest level of tree‐species diversity and the lowest abundance of beech (0.27 kg m^–2). The results suggest that redistribution of nutrients via leaf litter has a high potential to increase BS in these loess‐derived surface soils that are underlain by limestone. Species‐related differences of the intensity of soil–tree cation cycling can thus influence the rate of soil acidification and the stocks and distribution of nutrients.     

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.     

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.     

The influence of Mg fertilization on growth and mineral contents of fine roots in (Picea abies [Karst] L.) stands at different stages of decline in NE-Bavaria

The effect of various Mg-fertilizers (MgSO₄; calcined dolomite) on root growth and mineral composition of 40 yr old Norway spruce at different sites and stages of decline was studied. Two years after fertilization, density of living fine roots of Mg-deficient trees had significantly increased on fertilized compared to non-fertilized plots. Only fertilization of calcined dolomite appeared to induce new root formation in the upper mineral soil. No such changes were observed for healthy looking trees at a second experimental site, where base saturation of the bulk soil was also low but trees were sufficiently supplied with Mg. At the third experimental site where foliar analyses reflected a luxurious Ca and Mg but an insufficient K nutrition at high Mg and Ca saturation of the bulk soil, calcined dolomite caused an increase of root growth due to a reinforced antagonism between Ca and Mg competing with K uptake. In general, at the experimental sites the fine root necromass decreased when base saturation of the bulk soil increased. The elemental contents of fine roots from the minenal soil of all three sites under investigation indicated that fine root growth in the mineral soil is strongly related to the root Ca and Mg contents. Root Ca contents seemed to be mainly a function of the Ca availability in the soil. Since there was no close relationship between fine root growth and the Ca/Al molar ratio in living fine roots, Al toxicity may not completely account for the differences in root growth and nutrition on the experimental sites.     

Selection of efficient vesicular-arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi for wetland rice (Oryza sativa L.)

Summary We tested the response of the wetland rice cultivar Prakash to inoculation with ten vescular-arbucular mycorrhizal (VAM) fungi (three selected from the first screening and seven isolated from local paddy fields) in a pot experiment under flooded conditions in order to select the most efficient mycorrhizal fungi to inoculate the rice nursery. A sandy clay loam soil was used as the substrate, fertilized with the recommended N and K levels (100 kg N ha^–1 as ammonium sulphate and 50 kg K ha^–1 as muriate of potash) and half the recommended level of P (25 kg ha^–1 as super phosphate). The inoculation was made into dry nursery beds and the beds were flooded when the seedlings were about 25 cm high, in 15 days. Twenty-eight-day old seedlings were transferred to pots filled with well puddled soil flooded with 5 cm of standing water. Based on the increase in grain yield and total biomass, Glomus intraradices and Acaulospora sp. were considered efficient and suitable for inoculation into rice nurseries.     

Fitting plants to soil through mycorrhizal fungi: plant nutrition in host-endophyte combinations evaluated by the diagnosis and recommendation integrated system

Summary Vesicular-arbuscular mycorrhizal (VAM) fungi improve plant growth in marginal soils. This study was conducted to determine the effects of three species of VAM fungi on plant nutrition in two cultivars of corn (Zea mays L.) and one of sunflower (Helianthus annus L.). Plants were grown in pot cultures under controlled (greenhouse) conditions in a soil high in K, Mg, and P, and low in Ca and N, and were supplied with amounts of VAM-fungal inocula in which equal numbers of infective propagules had previously been determined. Analysis of variance showed highly significant main effects and interactions due to both factors (plant and fungus) for N, P, Ca, and Mg. For K, only plant effects were significant (P<0.043). The uptake of nutrients was selectively enhanced or inhibited by one or the other VAM fungus relative to non-VAM control plants. In sunflower, N concentration was markedly enhanced (73%) by the mixed inoculum of the three fungi, even though individual effects were not significant. Evaluation of leaf nutrient analyses by the Diagnosis and Recommendation Integrated System (DRIS) revealed the utility of this system to rank nutritional effects by VAM fungi in an order of relative nutrient deficiency. The DRIS therefore is seen as a useful tool in evaluating and selecting VAM fungi for the alleviation of specific nutrient disorders.Work was funded by the Program in Science and Technology Cooperation, Office of the Science Advisor, Agency for International Development, as Project No. 8.055, and was conducted in collaboration at the Colegio de Postgraduados and the Western Regional Research Center     

The effect of vesicular-arbuscular mycorrhizae in decreasing Ca acquisition by alfalfa plants in calcareous soils

Summary The legume Medicago sativa L. was grown in three calcareous soils supplied with increasing amounts of soluble phosphate, or a vesicular-arbuscular mycorrhizal (VAM) inoculum. The three test soils had high concentrations of extractable Ca. Analyses of dry-matter production and of the concentrations and content of the nutrients N, P, K, Ca, and Mg in plant tissues showed that, for each soil, a particular level of P application was able to match the VAM effects on N, P, and K levels. The Ca concentration and content in the VAM inoculated plants were, however, significantly lower than those in the P-supplied non-mycorrhizal treatments that matched the VAM effects. The N:P and the K:P ratios were about the same for mycorrhizal and non-mycorrhizal P-supplied control plants in all the three soils, but VAM inoculation lowered the Ca:P ratio in all soils. The mycorrhizae decreased Mg uptake in one of the soils, where non-mycorrhizal plants had high Mg concentrations in tissues. It is concluded that VAM depress the excessive acquisition of Ca by plants in calcareous soils.     

Inoculation response in kidney beans (Phaseolus vulgaris,L.) to vesicular-arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi and rhizobia in non-sterilized soil

The effect of dual inoculation on three local cultivars (Miss Kelly, Portland Red, Round Red) of red kidney beans (Phaseolus vulgaris, L.) with four strains of Rhizobium leguminosarum bv. phaseoli and three species of vesicular-arbuscular mycorrhizal (VAM) fungi was examined in a clay loam soil. Rhizobial strains B 17 and B 36, each paired with Glomus pallidum or G. aggregatum, were the most effective pairings for cv. Miss Kelly. Inoculation of Miss Kelly with any of these pairings significantly (P=0.05) increased growth, number of nodules, nodule dry weight, mycorrhizal colonization, and shoot N and P content than other pairings. The growth response by cv. Portland Red was significantly improved by pairings of B 36 or B 17 with any of the three VAM fungi. For both cultivars (Miss Kelly and Portland Red), CIAT 652 or T 2 paired with VAM fungi did not give a positive growth response. In contrast, for cv Round Red the T 2 rhizobial strain in combination with any of the three VAM fungi showed a significant (P=0.05) growth improvement in all parameters. Our results suggest that while dual inoculation of VAM fungi and rhizobia significantly improves the growth response by red kidney beans, the best pairings of VAM fungus and rhizobia for each cultivar need to be carefully selected.     

Comparison of protein quality and mineral element concentrations in grain of spelt (Triticum spelta L.) and common wheat (Triticum aestivum L.)

The cultivation of Triticum spelta (spelt) has no tradition in Hungary. In recent years the interest towards this old species renewed in many countries. This high‐nutritional cereal, which has a high ash and fibre content, can be used in many health‐oriented grain‐based food products. Therefore, field experiments have been conducted for some years to test the performance of this species under home growing conditions. Here we report the results of analyses for some important quality parameters of grain samples from the 1996/97 season in comparison with those of older and new home‐grown bread wheat cultivars. Three common wheat cultivars and one advanced spelt line were grown on small plots fertilised with an NPK dose necessary to reach the highest yield and quality. Spikes were sampled weekly from the time of 70–77% grain moisture to full ripening. The grains were analysed for ash, N, P and K content and amino acid composition. Concentrations of 16 other macro + micro elements and in the ripe grains, baking quality parameters were also assessed. The grain development of spelt showed a remarkable time‐lag compared to that of the common wheat cultivars. However, the highest thousand‐grain‐masses, ash, N, and P concentrations were measured in this cultivar after milk ripening. The grains of spelt contained the macro‐nutrient Mg and four micro‐nutrients (Zn, Mn, Fe, Cu) in higher concentrations compared to those of the common wheat varieties. The total and essential amino acid concentrations measured in the ripe grains of spelt were also remarkably higher.

Although its wet gluten content (47.5%) was considerably higher than that of the bread wheat cultivars, its breadmaking quality was poor.     

Influence of varied soil microbial and inorganic nutrient conditions on the growth and vesicular-arbuscular mycorrhizal colonization of little bluestem [Schizachyrium scoparium (Michx.) Nash]

Summary A difference in biomass production between plants grown in autoclaved soil and non-autoclaved soil under N and base (Ca + Mg) treatments was probably caused by soil microbes other than vesicular-arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi. The plants were grown for 70 days in autoclaved soil, autoclaved soil with a vesicular-arbuscular mycorrhizal-free filtrate of non-autoclaved soil added, and non-autoclaved soil. The plants in each substrate received additional N, P, or Ca + Mg (base treatment) weekly. Control plants received no additional nutrients. The plant response to various substrates was a function of nutrient treatment. Colonization of roots by vesicular-arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi in non-autoclaved soil was lowest with the N and P treatments. There were significant negative correlations between vesicular-arbuscular mycorrhizal colonization and all plant growth variates. For all nutrient treatments, there were no differences in total biomass between plants grown in non-autoclaved soil and in the autoclaved-plus-filtrate substrate.     

Tuber yield and allocation of nutrients and carbohydrates in potato plants as affected by limestone type and magnesium supply

Abstract

Magnesium (Mg) is a nutrient that affects the development of plants and is mainly supplied through liming performed to correct soil acidity. By acting on photosynthesis and influencing carbohydrate partitioning in the plant, supplementary Mg supplied through soil or foliar application can increase the yield and quality of potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) tubers. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of supplemental Mg fertilization by soil or foliar application on plant nutritional status, tuber yield, and carbohydrate partitioning in potato crops in soil corrected with calcitic and dolomitic limestones. The experiment was carried out in pots under greenhouse conditions with a randomized block design in a 2?×?3 factorial scheme with four replications. Dolomitic limestone application and supplemental Mg fertilization via soil increased the concentrations of this nutrient in potato leaves. Liming with dolomitic limestone reduced the uptake of Ca and K by plants, but supplemental Mg fertilization did not alter the uptake of Ca, Mg or K. Supplemental Mg fertilization did not increase plant growth and tuber yield, even when calcitic limestone was used to elevate the base saturation to 60%; the exchangeable Mg concentration in soil was 9?mmol_c dm^?3, and the Ca:Mg relationship was 3.7. Liming with dolomitic limestone or providing supplemental Mg fertilization did not increase sugar and starch partitioning to the tubers.     

Effect of Glomus etunicatum inoculation on aluminum,phosphorus, calcium,and magnesium uptake of two barley genotypes with different aluminum tolerance

Abstract

This study was conducted to evaluate the effect of vesicular‐arbuscular mycorrhizal (VAM) fungus Glomus etunicatum on growth, absorption, and distribution of calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg), phosphorus (P), and aluminum (Al) in one Al‐tolerant and one Al‐sensitive barley cultivar. The plants were grown in sand daily irrigated with nutrient solution containing 0 or 600 μM Al at pH 4.8. Significant interaction (P=0.05) among variety, mycorrhiza, and aluminum (VxMxAl) were noted for both shoot and root dry matter (DM); shoot concentration and content of Al, P, Ca, and Mg; root concentration of Al, P, and Mg; and root content of Al, P, Ca, and Mg. With VAM inoculation: i) root colonization degree was about 50% in all treatment, ii) shoot DM yield increased between 30 and 70%, iii) Al concentration and content decrease down to a half both in shoots and roots of sensitive barley, iv) Ca concentration in shoots of sensitive barley showed a high increase at 600 μM Al, and v) P concentration and content in shoots of both varieties increased significantly.     

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 Arbuscular Mycorrhizal and Phosphate Solubilizing Fungi Contributes in Sustainable Maintenance of Plant Health in Fly Ash Ponds

Fly ash is one of the residues produced during combustion of coal, and its disposal is a major environmental concern throughout coal-based power-generated counties. Deficiencies of essential nutrients, low soil microbial activity, and high-soluble salt concentrations of trace elements are some of the concerns for reclamation of fly ash ponds. The effect of fly-ash-adapted arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi and phosphate solubilizing fungus Aspergillus tubingensis was studied on the growth, nutrient, and metal uptake of bamboo (Dendrocalamus strictus) plants grown in fly ash. Co-inoculation of these fungi significantly increased the P (150%), K (67%), Ca (106%), and Mg (180%) in shoot tissues compared control plants. The Al and Fe content were significantly reduced (50% and 60%, respectively) due to the presence of AM fungi and A. tubingensis. The physicochemical and biochemical properties of fly ash were improved compared to those of individual inoculation and control. The results showed that combination of AM fungi and A. tubingensis elicited a synergetic effect by increasing plant growth and uptake of nutrients with reducing metal translocation.