Mycorrhizas in hill country soils

Abstract

Abstract Shoot growth in a glasshouse of clover seedlings preinoculated with E3 and transplanted into soil cores of Te Kuiti silt loam taken from hill country paddocks was 90% greater than that of plants preinoculated with the indigenous mycorrhizal fungi. There were large but nonsignificant growth increases in Mahoenui silt loam and in south aspect Waingaro steepland soil. Clover seeds were also sown in hill country paddocks above pads of soil inoculated with E3 or the indigenous mycorrhizal fungi. E3 caused 50% more shoot growth in south aspect Waingaro soil, but 42% less shoot growth in north aspect Waingaro soil. Clover seedlings were preinoculated with E3 or the indigenous mycorrhizal fungi and grown in a glasshouse in soil cores of Te Kuiti silt loam, which had been annually fertilised with P at 0, 11.2, or 44.8 kg/ha. E3-inoculated plants took up 108% more P than plants inoculated with the indigenous mycorrhizal fungi at the highest fertiliser rate; increases at lower fertiliser rates were smaller and non-significant. These experiments suggest that E3 can be introduced into hill country soils and increase the uptake of residual and fertiliser P from soil.