Abstract
Plant adaptation to hyperosmotic environments is generally associated with reduced growth and ultimately yield loss, making farming difficult. The potential of mycorrhizal symbioses to alleviate salt stress has been documented and benefits to plant revealed to be specific and dependent to both plant cultivars and fungal strains. A factorial greenhouse experiment was performed to determine the effects of three arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) species (Funneliformis caledonius, F. mosseae and Rhizophagus irregularis) on three ‘day-neutral’ strawberry (Fragaria × ananassa Duch.) cultivars (‘Albion’, ‘Charlotte’ and ‘Seascape’), and a mixture of R. irregularis and F. mosseae on ‘Seascape’, under four salt conditions (0–200 mM NaCl). The overall results showed that plant biomass decreased with increasing salinity. The cultivars responded differently to both AMF and salinity, and ‘Seascape’ was more tolerant to salinity than the other cultivars. AMF enhanced plant growth and improved salt tolerance by increasing the proportion of medium (0.5<ɸ≤1.5 mm) and coarse (ɸ>1.5 mm) diameter roots. The mixture of two AMF species increased root and shoot mass to a higher degree than each species alone at low salinity (0–50 mM) but reduced fruit quality. At higher levels (100–200 mM), R. irregularis alleviated salt stress and improved fruit quality to a higher degree than the other AMF species. Our results support the use of bio-inoculants in saline horticultural areas. Because cultivars respond differently to fungal inoculants, and inoculants prefer specific environmental conditions, fungal inoculants need to be screened on a cultivar- and condition-specific basis.
Highlights
Plants are exposed to various environmental conditions and stressors
The highest level of colonization was observed with F. mosseae in ‘Albion’ and with R. irregularis in ‘Charlotte’
There was no observed colonization by F. mosseae, the mixture of two Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) species, R. irregularis + F. mosseae, showed a significantly (p=0.0097) higher level of colonization than R. irregularis alone
Summary
Plants are exposed to various environmental conditions and stressors. Abiotic stressors, such as drought, salinity, extreme temperatures, and metal and chemical toxicity are serious threats to agriculture (Audet and Charest2007 2009, Subramanian and Charest 2008). Plants are exposed to various environmental conditions and stressors. Abiotic stressors, such as drought, salinity, extreme temperatures, and metal and chemical toxicity are serious threats to agriculture 2007 2009, Subramanian and Charest 2008). These stressors lead to a series of morphological, physiological, and molecular changes that adversely affect plant growth and productivity (Wang et al 2001). Salinity is considered one of the most limiting factors for plant growth. More than 70% of all agricultural soils worldwide are saline or affected by salinity problems, which can reduce crop productivity (Jain et al 1989). Increased salinization of arable lands is expected to have devastating global effects, resulting in up to 30% land loss by the year 2050 (Wang et al 2003)
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