Zn Acquisition by Extraradical Hyphae in Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Plant Depending on Zn Nutritional Status of Cucumber(Cucumis sativus cv. Baekdadagi)

Abstract

The contribution of plant nutrition status in arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) plant to the nutrient acquisition by extraradical hyphae of AM fungi was investigated using cucumber colonized with Glomus intraradicies (BEG 110) focusing on the Zn. Compartmentalized pots with separated Bones for hyphal growth were used to determine the contribution of extraradical AM hyphae to Zn uptake from hyphal zones. <TEX>$0.5\;{\mu}M$</TEX> Zn was supplied into the hyphal zones as nutrient solution (10 mL/day) with a form of <TEX>$ZnSO_4$</TEX>. Zn foliar application was made two times for one week before harvest (8 mL/plant). The colonization rate by AM were high in all of Zn treatments. The dry weight of cucumber increased by AM colonization compared to those of non-mycorrhizal counterpart. However: Zn foliar application resulted in no significant difference in dry weight between mycorrhizal- and non-mycorrhizal plant. In addition, the enhancement of Zn content in cucumber shoot by AM colonization were also reduced by Zn foliar application. These results indicate that the interaction between host plant and AM fungus for nutrient uptake might be related to plant nutritional status and nutrient contents. In consequence, higher Zn contents in host plant by foliar application of Zn could restrict the role of extraradical hyphae of AM fungus on the Zn acquisition and transfer from fungus to host plant.