A comparison of development and mineral nutrition of micropropagated Fragaria× ananassa cv. Elvira (strawberry) when colonised by nine species of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi

Abstract

Growth, development and nutrient status of micropropagated. Fragaria× ananassa cv. Elvira (strawberry) in response to inoculation with nine species of arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi from three different genera was investigated. The nine species of AM fungi were Glomus clarum, G. etunicatum, G. intraradices, Gigaspora rosea, G. gigantea, G. margarita, Scutellospora calospora, S. heterogama and S. persica. No positive shoot growth responses to AM fungal inoculation were observed. Root growth enhancements were observed for plants colonised by G. intraradices and G. margarita. Shoot and root growth depressions were observed for G. rosea and all species of Scutellospora. Furthermore, individual isolates of AM fungi had unique effects on the mineral status of the strawberry plants. In general Mn and Mg concentrations were significantly increased within the shoot tissue of plants colonised by all isolates of AM fungi. Moreover, plants colonised by G. clarum and G. rosea, had significantly increased concentrations of 7 and 9 out of the 12 mineral nutrients within the shoot tissue, respectively.