Effects Of Root Colonization Research Articles

Arbuscular mycorrhiza alter the concentration of essential oils in oregano (Origanum sp., Lamiaceae)

The effect of root colonization by Glomus mosseae on the qualitative and quantitative pattern of essential oils (EO) was determined in three oregano genotypes (Origanum sp.). To exclude a simple P-mediated effect through mycorrhization the effect of P application to plants on the EO accumulation was also tested. In two genotypes the leaf biomass was increased through mycorrhization. Root colonization by the arbuscular mycorrhizal fungus (AMF) did not have any significant effect on the EO composition in oregano; however, in two genotypes the EO concentration significantly increased. As EO levels in P-treated plants were not enhanced, we conclude that the EO increase observed in mycorrhizal oregano plants is not due to an improved P status in mycorrhizal plants, but depends directly on the AMF-oregano plant association.

ThedctAgene ofPseudomonas chlororaphisO6 is under RpoN control and is required for effective root colonization and induction of systemic resistance

Transcription from the dctA gene, which encodes an organic acid transporter in the root-colonizing bacterium Pseudomonas chlororaphis O6, is under complex regulatory control. Promoter sequence analysis revealed an RpoN binding site. The regulation of transcript accumulation by the level of ammonium ions in the growth medium confirmed RpoN regulation, even in the presence of glucose. A dctA mutant colonized tobacco roots to a lesser extent than the wild-type mutant during early seedling development. Colonization by the dctA mutant, as compared to the wild type, also reduced the level of systemically induced resistance against the soft rot pathogen Erwinia carotovora SCC1. We ascribe this reduced colonization to the inability of the mutant to utilize certain organic acid components in the root exudates. The dctA mutant failed to grow on succinate and fumarate, and showed reduced growth on malate. All altered properties of the mutant were complemented by the full-length dctA gene. We propose that organic acids in root exudates may provide important nutrient sources for the beneficial root-colonizing pseudomonad.

Responses of field grown tomato plants to arbuscular mycorrhizal fungal colonization under varying intensities of drought stress

The effects of root colonization by the arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungus Glomus intraradices Schenck and Smith on growth, flower and fruit production, and fruit quality were studied in field-grown tomato plants exposed to varying intensities of drought stress. Inoculated (M+) and non-inoculated (M−) tomato seedlings were exposed to varying intensities of drought stress by adjusting irrigation intervals. Mycorrhizal plants had significantly higher uptake of N and P in both roots and shoots regardless of intensities of drought stress. AM inoculation also significantly increased shoot dry matter and the number of flowers and fruits. The fruit yields of M+ plants under severe, moderate, mild drought-stressed conditions were higher than M− plants by 24.7%, 23.1%, 16.2% and 12.3%, respectively. Furthermore, M+ plants produced tomato fruits that contain significantly higher quantities of ascorbic acid and total soluble solids (TSS) than M− plants. Mycorrhizal effects increased with increasing intensity of drought. The overall results suggest that mycorrhizal colonization affects host plant nutritional status, water stratus and growth under field conditions and thereby alters reproductive behaviour, fruit production and quality of fruits under both well-watered and drought-stressed conditions.

Nutritional, growth, and reproductive responses of maize ( Zea mays L.) to arbuscular mycorrhizal inoculation during and after drought stress at tasselling

The effects of root colonization by the arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungus Glomus intraradices Schenck & Smith on nutritional, growth, and reproductive attributes of two tropical maize cultivars with different sensitivities to drought were studied. Freshly regenerated seeds of selection cycles 0 (cv. C0, drought-sensitive) and 8 (cv. C8, drought-resistant) of the lowland tropical maize population "Tuxpeno sequia" were used in this greenhouse experiment. Maize plants were subjected to drought stress for 3 weeks following tasselling (75–95 days after sowing) and rewatered for the subsequent 5 weeks until harvest. Mycorrhizal (M+) plants had significantly higher uptake of N, P, K, Mg, Mn, and Zn into grain than non-mycorrhizal (M–) plants under drought conditions. AM inoculation also produced significantly greater shoot masses in C0 and C8 regardless of the drought-stress treatment. In the sensitive cultivar C0, drought stress reduced the shoot mass and grain yield by 23% and 55%, respectively, when roots were not colonized, while the reductions were only 12% and 31%, respectively, with mycorrhizal association. In addition, the emergence of tassels and silks was earlier in M+ plants than in M– plants under drought conditions. Mycorrhizal response was more pronounced under both well-watered and drought conditions in C0 than in the C8 cultivar. The overall results suggest that AM inoculation affects host plant nutritional status and growth and thereby alters the reproductive behaviour of maize under drought conditions.