Effects of five Glomus spp. (Zygomycetes) on growth and mineral nutrition of Triticum aestivum L.

Abstract

In a pot experiment conducted in a growth chamber. the influence of five species of arbuscular fungi (<i>Glomales<i>) on growth and mineral nutrition of winter wheat (<i>Triricum aestivum</i>) cv. Salwa was investigated. After nine weeks of growth, plants inoculated with <i>Glomus calcdonium</i> and <i>G. mosseae</i> were significantly higher than those from control pots and those with <i>G. constrictum, G. deserticola</i> and <i>G. macrocarpum</i> mycorrhizae. All fungi significantly increased root dry weights, although <i>G. caledonium</i> was the most effective species. Except for <i>G. constrictum</i>, the other fungi significantly increased shoot dry weights of plants, with <i>G.caledonium</i> being the most effective species. <i>G. caledonium, G. macrocarpum</i> and <i>G. mosseae</i> significantly decreased root: shoot ratios. Inoculations significantly affected shoot and root N, P, K, Ca and Mg concentrations. Except for <i>G. constrictum</i>, all the other fungi significantly increased shoot N and Ca contents. Shoot P and K contents were significantly higher in plants harbouring only <i>G. caledonium</i> mycorrhizae. <i>G. caledonium. G. deserticola</i> and <i>G. mosseae</i> significantly increased shoot Mg contents. Except for <i>G.constritum</i>, the other fungi significantly enhanced root N and P contens. The fungi significantly increasing root K supplies were <i>G. caledoniumum, G. macrocarpum </i>, and <i>G. mosseae. Root Ca contents was significantly increased only in <i>G. constrictum</i> treatment. Except for <i>G. constrictum</i> and <i>G. mosseae</i>, the other fungi significantly increased root Mg contents, with <i>G. macrocarpum</i> ranking the first. Shoot and root dry weights and shoot N and K as well as root N and P contents in <i>T. aestivum</i> were significantly correlated with mycorrhizal colonization.