Effects Of Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Inoculation Research Articles

The effect of arbuscular mycorrhizal inoculation and plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria on maize (Zea mays L.) under boron toxicity stress

A greenhouse study was conducted to investigate the effect of arbuscular mycorrhiza fungus and plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria on maize (Zea mays L.) yield and boron (B) uptake under excessive B concentrations. Four levels of B (0, 10, 20 and 40 mg kg-1 soil) and four levels of microbial inoculation (non-inoculation, Rhizophagus intraradices, Micrococcus yunnanensis and co-inoculation) were applied. In general, elevated B decreased the maize relative yield, plant dry weight, plant height, total leaf area and chlorophyll content. The highest B uptake was recorded in the 20 mg kg-1 B treatments, whereas the lowest uptake was in B treatments of 0 and 40 mg B kg-1. Excessive B supply increased the proline content and electrolyte leakage of maize leaves. Microbial inoculation did not change the yield of B-stressed plants. In addition, mycorrhiza inoculation and co-inoculation increased the shoot and root B uptake. Maize plants growing at high B concentrations with or without microbial inoculation showed leaf edge burning and necrosis when compared with control treatments. Microbial inoculation improved the maize yield under B stress up to 20 mg B kg-1. Thus, inoculation with arbuscular mycorrhiza and plant growth promoting rhizobacteria can increase the maize tolerance under B toxicity. Nonetheless, the inoculation of bacterium and arbuscular mycorrhiza had a more alleviative effect when the plants were exposed to excess B.

Arbuscular mycorrhizal symbiosis alleviates ozone injury in ozone-tolerant poplar clone but not in ozone-sensitive poplar clone

Tropospheric ozone (O3) is a typical air pollutant with harmful effects on plants, whereas arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi are ubiquitous plant symbionts that enhance plant resistance to various abiotic stresses. However, whether AM symbiosis decreases plant O3 sensitivity and what the underlying mechanisms are remain unclear. In this study, O3-tolerant poplar clone 107 and O3-sensitive poplar clone 546 were used as test plants. An open-top chamber experiment was conducted to investigate the effects of AM inoculation on plant growth and physiological parameters under O3 enrichment. The results showed that O3 enrichment significantly decreased plant biomass and net photosynthetic rate and increased the leaf shedding rate and malondialdehyde concentration of clone 546. Generally, clone 107 was less responsive to O3 enrichment than clone 546 was. Differences in antioxidant enzyme activity, rather than in specific leaf weight or stomatal conductance, were responsible for the differences in O3 sensitivity between the two clones. AM inoculation significantly increased the biomass and decreased the leaf shedding rate and malondialdehyde concentration of clone 107 but had no significant effect on almost all the indexes of clone 546, suggesting a species-specific mycorrhizal effect on plant O3 sensitivity. Mechanistically, AM symbiosis did not significantly affect nutrient uptake, stomatal conductance, or specific leaf weight of poplar but did significantly increase antioxidant enzyme activity. Linear regression analysis of antioxidant enzyme activities and the effect of O3 on growth and physiological parameters showed that AM symbiosis mediated antioxidant enzyme activities to mitigate O3 injury to the two poplar clones. This study improved the understanding of the protective effects of AM fungi on plants against O3 pollution.

Effect of arbuscular mycorrhizal inoculation on growth, mineral nutrient uptake, photosynthesis and antioxidant activities of black pepper cuttings

Arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi are one of most important soil microorganisms that can form mycorrhizal symbiosis with most of the terrestrial plants. In the present study, the effect of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi inoculation on root colonization, growth, nutrition, photosynthetic gas exchange and antioxidant activities of black pepper cuttings were evaluated under polyhouse conditions. The single node cuttings of black pepper were grown in the presence and absence of AM combinations for 150 days under poly house. AM inoculated plants showed significantly higher mycorrhizal root colonization (95%) and spore numbers (312/50 g of sample). The effect of AM fungi was more prominent in improving root biomass than above ground biomass. Nutrient accumulations were higher in AM inoculated plants rather than uninoculated black pepper plants. Amount of acid phosphatase and dehydrogenase activity were significantly higher in AM inoculated soils. Net photosynthetic rate and stomatal conductance of AM colonized black pepper leaves were found to be significantly greater than uninoculated plants. The influence of AM was more prominent on poly phenol oxidase and β-glucanase activity in leaves than roots. In principal component analysis the scatter plot revealed variations of the effects of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi on growth of black pepper cuttings. Based on these results, AM inoculation at the earlier stage of plant development could improve symbiosis, and increased plant growth in the nursery which may improve the performance after planting in the field.

Mycorrhizal symbiosis and water condition affect ozone sensitivity of Medicago sativa L. by mediating stomatal conductance

Ground level ozone (O 3 ) pollution is a common environmental stress for plants in many regions of the world, while plant O 3 sensitivity is largely influenced by plant water status. Arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi can form symbiosis with most terrestrial plants and play important role in plant resistance to various environmental stresses. However, how AM symbiosis and water conditions affect plant O 3 sensitivity and the underlying mechanism remain unclear. In this study, alfalfa ( Medicago sativa L.) was used as test plant, and the effects of AM inoculation and water conditions on plant growth and stress physiology under O 3 enrichment were investigated. The results showed that O 3 enrichment inhibited plant growth and caused visible injury on plant leaves. Water deficiency also caused significant decrease in plant biomass, while AM symbiosis promoted plant growth regardless of water condition and O 3 enrichment. In general, water deficiency decreased while AM symbiosis increased plant O 3 sensitivity. Nevertheless, under severe water deficiency, AM inoculation promoted plant growth without increasing plant O 3 sensitivity. Water deficiency increased antioxidant enzyme activities and decreased stomatal conductance, while AM symbiosis increased both antioxidant enzyme activities and stomatal conductance. A significant negative correlation between stomatal conductance and O 3 effect on plant total biomass supported that both water condition and AM symbiosis affect O 3 sensitivity mainly through mediating stomatal conductance. However, AM symbiosis and water condition may differ in regulation mechanisms for stomatal conductance, as AM colonization significantly increased stomatal density, while water deficiency decreased stomatal aperture. Our study suggested that AM inoculation in combination with proper water management could largely mitigate the negative effects of O 3 on plants. • Water deficiency decreases stomatal conductance and plant O 3 sensitivity. • AM symbiosis increases stomatal conductance and plant O 3 sensitivity. • AM fungi and water condition affect stomatal conductance through different pathways. • AM inoculation combined with water management could mitigate negative effects of O 3 on plants.

Effects of Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Inoculation by Indigenous Fungal Complexes on the Morpho-Physiological Behavior of Argania spinosa Subjected to Water Deficit Stress

Our objective is to test selected mycorrhizal complexes to verify the contribution of mycorrhizal symbiosis as a biological tool promoting the development of the argan tree under hostile conditions. In addition, this study aims to assess the impact of soil drought caused by stopping watering of young argan plants inoculated with strains of fungal complexes indigenous to the species in comparison to non-inoculated plants. Under conditions of water deficit stress, the most marked reductions in fresh and dry biomass were recorded in non-mycorrhizal plants. The most negative values of leaf water potential Ψf and Ψb were also noted in non-mycorrhizal plants. On the other hand, plants inoculated with mycorrhizal Bouyzakarne inoculum were relatively less affected by watering discontinuation compared to those inoculated with mycorrhizal Argana inoculum. Water stress caused a reduction in potassium and phosphorus content in the leaves and roots of all plants. However, mycorrhizal plants exhibited the highest P and K values compared to non-mycorrhizal ones. Therefore, mycorrhization compensates for the deficit in absorption of inorganic nutrients during drought. Sodium gradually decreased in the leaves but increased in the roots, and this delocalization of Na+ ions under water deficit stress resulted in higher concentrations in the roots than in the leaves of all plants. However, the mycorrhizal plants exhibited relatively lower values of root Na+ compared to the non-mycorrhizal controls. The water deficit reduced the content of chlorophyll a and b in the leaves and the chlorophyll a/b ratio in stressed plants. The lowest chlorophyll values were recorded in non-mycorrhizal plants. The levels of proline and soluble sugars in the leaves and roots of argan plants increased in all plants, especially with the extension of the duration of stress. However, proline accumulation was higher in mycorrhizal plants, with superiority in plants inoculated with the Bouyzakarne complex in comparison with that of Argana. In contrast, the accumulation of soluble sugars was higher in non-mycorrhizal plants than in mycorrhizal plants. We concluded that with a correct choice of the symbiotic fungi complexes, AMF inoculation biotechnology can benefit argan cultivation, especially under stressful conditions in arid regions with structural drought, where native Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi levels are low.

Influences of mycorrhizal inoculum on Cd and Pb uptake by wheat plant

Influences of mycorrhizal inoculum on Cd and Pb uptake by wheat plant

Effects of arbuscular mycorrhizal inoculation on the growth, photosynthesis and antioxidant enzymatic activity of Euonymus maackii Rupr. under gradient water deficit levels.

The role of arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungus (Rhizophagus intraradices) in the amelioration of the water deficit-mediated negative influence on the growth, photosynthesis, and antioxidant system in Euonymus maackii Rupr. was examined. E. maackii seedlings were subjected to 5 water deficit levels, soil water contents of 20%, 40%, 60%, 80% and 100% field capacity (FC), and 2 inoculation treatments, with and without AM inoculation. The water deficit increasingly limited the seedling height, biomass accumulation in shoots and roots, chlorophyll content, gas exchange and chlorophyll fluorescence parameters with an increasing water deficit level. In addition, water deficit stimulated the activities of antioxidant enzymes, including superoxide dismutase (SOD), peroxidase (POD) and catalase (CAT), in both shoots and roots, except under 20% FC conditions. E. maackii seedlings under all water deficit conditions formed symbiosis well with AM fungi, which significantly ameliorated the drought-mediated negative effect, especially under 40% and 60% FC conditions. Under 40% to 80% FC conditions, AM formation improved seedling growth and photosynthesis by significantly enhancing the biomass accumulation, chlorophyll content and assimilation. Mycorrhizal seedlings showed better tolerance and less sensitivity to a water deficit, reflected in the lower SOD activities of shoots and roots and CAT activity of shoots under 40% and 60% FC conditions. Downregulation of the antioxidant system in mycorrhizal seedlings suggested better maintenance of redox homeostasis and protection of metabolism, including biomass accumulation and assimilation. All the results advocated the positive role of R. intraradices inoculation in E. maackii against a water deficit, especially under 40% FC, which suggested the distinct AM performance in drought tolerance and the potential role of the combination of E. maackii-AM fungi in ecological restoration in arid regions.

Mycorrhizal symbiosis and phosphorus supply determine interactions among plants with contrasting nutrient‐acquisition strategies

Abstract Highly diverse plant communities growing on nutrient‐impoverished soils are test beds for theories on species coexistence. Here, neighbouring mycorrhizal and non‐mycorrhizal plants compete for limited phosphorus. The impact of below‐ground interactions on community dynamics is underexplored. We used an experimental approach to investigate effects of inoculation with arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi and a phosphorus supply gradient on competitive and facilitative interactions among mixed assemblages of woody plants in microcosms. The plant species, one cluster root‐forming (CR) species and four AM species, are native to jarrah forest that grows on nutrient‐impoverished soils in south‐western Australia. We measured plant growth in microcosms, with and without inoculation with the AM fungus Rhizophagus irregularis, and across a gradient of P supply: 0, 9, 27 and 243 mg P per kg of soil. Our data show evidence of plant–plant facilitation at low P supply and competition at high P supply. Growth of the CR species, Hakea undulata, was highest in microcosms with 0P and without AM inoculation. One AM species, Bossiaea aquifolium, also performed better at lower P levels, possibly benefitting from P mobilised by H. undulata. The other three AM species, one strongly obligates, performed better at higher P levels. Data for Acacia celastrifolia suggested it was facultatively mycotropic, and because there was no correlation between AM colonisation and the relative inoculum effect, we suggest positive effects of AM inoculation at 9P might be due to benefits other than P acquisition, such as pathogen defence. Benefit of AM inoculation diminished for three of four mycorrhizal species at the highest P level as we had predicted. The fourth species, Eucalyptus marginata (jarrah), had higher growth in microcosms that were not inoculated with AM, perhaps because the species benefits more from ectomycorrhizas. Synthesis. Our experimental data suggest spatial heterogeneity of soil P, coupled with a diversity of nutrient‐acquisition strategies, and plasticity among plant–plant and plant–AM fungi interactions, contributes to plant species coexistence in the nutrient‐impoverished jarrah forest. Our research highlights the importance of below‐ground mechanisms for understanding factors determining community structure including a potential role of AM fungi in plant pathogen defence.

Interactive Effects of Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Inoculation with Nano Boron, Zinc, and Molybdenum Fertilization on Stevioside Contents of Stevia (Stevia rebaudiana, L.) Plants

Stevia (Stevia rebaudiana, L.) is receiving increasing global interest as a diabetes-focused herb associated with zero-calorie stevioside sweetener glycoside production. This study was conducted to determine whether the arbuscular mycorrhiza (AM), as a biofertilizer integrated with nano boron (B), zinc (Zn), and molybdenum (Mo), would improve stevia growth and stevioside content. A factorial experiment with four replicates was conducted to evaluate the effect of AM at 0, 150, and 300 spore/g soil and three nano microelements B at 100 mg/L, Zn at 100 mg/L, and Mo at 40 mg/L on growth performance, stevioside, mineral contents, and biochemical contents of stevia. Results indicated that the combination of AM at 150 and B at 100 mg/L significantly increased plant height, number of leaves, fresh and dry-stem, and herbal g/plant during the 2019 and 2020 growing seasons. Chlorophyll content was increased by the combination between AM at 150 spore/g soil and B at 100 mg/L during both seasons. Stevioside content in leaves was increased by AM at 150 spore/g soil and B at 100 mg/L during the second season. In addition, N, P, K, Zn, and B in the leaf were increased by applying the combination of AM and nano microelements. Leaf bio constituent contents were increased with AM at 150 spore/g soil and B at 100 mg/L during both seasons. The application of AM and nano B can be exploited for high growth, mineral, and stevioside contents as a low-calorie sweetener product in stevia.

Effect of arbuscular mycorrhizal inoculation combined with nitrogen fertilization on savoy grass (Megathyrsus maximus)

La presente investigación es una revisión bibliográfica que tiene por objetivo examinar el efecto de la inoculación micorrízica arbuscular combinada con la fertilización nitrogenada sobre el pasto Saboya (Megathyrsus maximus). Para sustentar teóricamente este estudio se analizaron 80 artículos obtenidos mediante Google Académico a través de fuentes primarias como investigaciones originales, tesis de grado, de maestría; y de fuentes secundarias extraídas de bases de datos como Dialnet, Redalyc y Scielo, asimismo para la búsqueda bibliográfica se determinó palabras clave pasto Saboya (Megathyrsus maximus), fertilización nitrogenada, inoculación micorrízica arbuscular y uso combinado de fertilización nitrogenada e inoculación micorrízica arbuscular. Se concluyó que la inoculación de hongos micorrízicos arbusculares conjuntamente con la fertilización nitrogenada sobre el pasto Saboya constituye una opción válida para optimizar la absorción de minerales y nutrientes de este género mejorando su rendimiento y calidad, lo cual favorece el perfil alimentario del ganado en el cantón Chone y el país. Se evidenció que, en este sentido, el desafío más importante para el Ecuador es fomentar líneas investigativas dirigidas a implementar ambos métodos de fertilización para alcanzar elevados índices de productividad del pasto Saboya, tomando en cuenta factores como el tipo de suelo, la selección de cepas eficientes y el manejo de cantidades de fertilizante nitrogenado acordes a las necesidades reales del suelo.

Influence of AM fungi inoculation on Capsicum annuum L. plant grown in microwave-sterilized media

The presence of arbuscular mycorrhizal in soil may affect growth and yield of chili (Capsicum annuum L.). This experiment was done to know the effect of arbuscular mycorrhizal inoculation on growth of chilli. Microwave soil sterilization was used to reduce the number of microbes in the media, enabling to observe the interaction between chili peppers and arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi. A single culture products (A) and mixed culture products (B) were used as arbuscular mycorrhizal spores. In contrast to product A, the spore counted calculation reported that product B had the most spores, with 51 spores / 50 g soil. The treatment of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi and microwave sterilization against the height of chili plant had no significant effect, according to a two-factor ANOVA (α: 0.05) analysis of agronomic characteristics. Inoculation of mycorrhizae had a significant effect on chili plant height. Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi inoculation and microwave sterilization had significant effect on the root length of chili plants. Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi in single and mixed cultures could colonize roots by forming internal hyphae, vesicles, and spores. The best way to support the growth of chili plants is to use planting media that has not been sterilized and contains mycorrhizal fungi.

Inoculation with arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi improves melon (Cucumis melo) fruit quality under field conditions and plant performance in both field and greenhouse

Previous works have suggested that arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi can enhance the quality of plant products and fruits. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to investigate the effects of AM fungi on Cucumis melo plant growth, yield, fitness and fruit quality. Inoculated and uninoculated plants of two melon cultivars (Baggio and Expò) were grown in field under common agronomic practices. In addition, a greenhouse test was run on cv. Expò in order to assess the effects of AM inoculation on shoot, leaf and flower development in semi-controlled conditions. In comparison to controls, AM plants flowered earlier, produced more flowers and their pulp contained more sugars and carotenoids. The symbiosis also improved seed size and weight, as well as their germination and root elongation in the first stages of growth in field. Concluding, AM inoculation significantly improved fruit quality in field, under commercial production conditions, also leading to the development of seeds with higher germination rate and increasing plant fitness.

Effect of arbuscular mycorrhizal inoculation on the quality and in vitro gas production of einkorn wheat straw

The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) inoculation on the quality of einkorn wheat straw (EWS) and in vitro gas production (GP). It was found that AM inoculation of EW seed before sowing caused significant increases in crude protein (CP), ether extract (EE), neutral detergent fibre (NDF), zinc (Zn), copper (Cu), and iron (Fe) levels of straw, and a (P <0.05) decrease in crude ash (CA), metabolizable energy (ME), and organic matter digestibility (OMD) compared with the straw of non-inoculated EW. The observed difference in the average GP among the between EWS from plants grown from inoculated seed and those from the untreated control was significant at all times between the third and 96th hour. However, when the GP kinetics of the groups was examined after 96 hours’ incubation, only the difference in the gas amount of the easily soluble fractions of feeds was significant. The GP from the slowly fermented part, the GP rate constant and the potential GP of the straws were not affected by the AM inoculation (P >0.05). Thus, inoculation of einkorn wheat with AM altered the nutritional value of the straw produced creating a roughage with decreased value for feeding ruminant livestock.
 Keywords: artificial rumen, fermentation kinetics, nutrient digestibility

Arbuscular mycorrhizal inoculation in Citrus volkameriana Tan & Pasq

Objective. We evaluated the effect of arbuscular mycorrhizal inoculation in Citrusvolkameriana Tan & Pasq plants with the application of Glomus spp Zac- 19 (G.claroides, G. diaphanum and G. albidum) to assess growth under greenhouseconditions without fertilizer application.Methodology. The evaluated treatments were inoculation with 2,4,6,8, and 10 g ofinoculum, plus a control without inoculation in an experimental design of completerandomized blocks with three replications. Variables were plant height, stem diameter,number of leaves, foliar area, dry weight, and mycorrhizal colonization.Results. A statistically significant response (p?0.01) to inoculation wasobserved, registering higher growth of mycorrhizal plants. The inoculation wasconsidered appropriate for all the levels evaluated. The outstanding treatment was 10 gof inoculum that produced plants with 110.16 cm in height for the last sampling; 38.56leaves per plant; 1.13 cm stem diameter; 35.95 g dry weight of root; 76.88 g dry weightof the aerial part of the plant; 225.03 cm 2 of leaf area per plant and 88.87% ofmycorrhizal colonization.Conclusions. The application of 10 g per plant to the roots of Citrus volkameriana fromthe Glomus Zac-19 arbuscular mycorrhizal consortium promoted the production of morevigorous plants for grafting, without the application of chemical fertilizer.

The effects of arbuscular mycorrhizal inoculation to growth and survivability of micropropagated Eucalyptus pellita and Acacia crassicarpa in nursery

Inoculation of arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi into micropropagated Eucalyptus pellita and Acacia crassicarpa, that may have poor root structures, was conducted. The study aimed to investigate the effects of Acaulospora sp., Acaulospora tuberculata, Entrophospora sp., Gigaspora sp., and two different isolates of Glomus maculosum inoculations on the growth parameters of 21-days old plantlets of Eucalyptus pellita and Acacia crassicarpa. After 120 days of acclimatization in the nursery, E. pellita seems to be more responsive to mycorrhizal inoculation than A. crassicarpa. The survival rate of E. pellita was almost three times of the control. Although there was no significant difference between treatments, inoculation of Glomus maculosum RD.1.5.1 and Acaulospora sp. GB.10.A2 showed the highest impact on plant height (54-56 cm), stem diameter (4.3-4.4 mm), and root dry-weight (2.03-2.05 gr) of E. pellita; and Entrophospora sp. RB.10.3.1 on plant height, stem diameter, and root dry-weight of A. crassicarpa (41.46 cm, 2.96 mm, and 1.34 gr, respectively). This study also revealed that the benefits of AM fungi association were not always related to the level of root colonization.

Combined Application of Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi and Exogenous Melatonin Alleviates Drought Stress and Improves Plant Growth in Tobacco Seedlings

Studies have shown that the application of arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi or exogenous melatonin (MT) can alleviate drought stress and improve plant growth, but the additive effects of both treatments on plants grown under drought stress are largely unknown. In this study, we conducted a pot experiment to investigate the effects of AM inoculation (Funneliformis mosseae BGC XJ01) and/or MT application on tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum L. cv. Yuyan No. 6) seedling growth, photosynthetic and chlorophyll fluorescence parameters, antioxidant enzymatic activity, osmotic adjustment substance accumulation, and nutrient uptake under three water conditions (75–80%, 50–55%, and 30–35% of the maximum moisture retention capacity). The results show that applying either the AM inoculant or MT alone significantly increased tobacco seedling growth and decreased the negative effects of drought stress. Furthermore, AM inoculation alone promoted root function (root biomass, root/shoot ratio, root system architecture), facilitated the capture and conversion of solar energy (photosynthetic rate, ΦPSII), and increased nutrient uptake more effectively than MT. In contrast, exogenous MT application alone was more effective at increasing peroxidase and catalase activity and decreasing H2O2 and MDA accumulation, which in turn enhanced the adaptation of seedlings to drought stress by improving their antioxidant capacity and reducing oxidative damage. Nevertheless, applying exogenous MT significantly enhanced the AM colonization rate under AM inoculation conditions but had no obvious effect on AM colonization under noninoculated conditions. The combined application of AM and MT had an additive effect and produced the largest increases in tobacco seedling growth, photosynthetic ability, antioxidant enzymatic activity, and N, P, and K uptake and the largest decreases in H2O2 and MDA contents of all the treatments. The results suggest that AM inoculation in combination with exogenous MT application may render plants more productive and more tolerant of drought stress.

Arbuscular mycorrhizal colonization increases yield of mungbean (Vigna radiata L.) at moderate level of salinity

ABSTRACT Mungbean is an important crop species cultivated in Southeast Asia and middle east regions where expanded salinity is a central point restricting plant development and yield profitability. In the present study, the impact of arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) inoculation on improving biomass, plant resilience, nodulation, AM colonization, sporulation, yield, yield traits, nutrient concentration and uptake of mungbean under five salinity levels was investigated. The trial was laid in a factorial randomized completely block design with four replications. Five salinity treatments (0, 2, 4, 6 and 8 dS m−1) considered as the first factor and mycorrhizal inoculation as the second factor. The soil-based AM fungal inoculum containing 275 ± 20 spores along with colonized Sorghum bicolor root sections was applied to each mycorrhizal pot. The results demonstrated that mycorrhizal inoculation increased yield and other yield contributing traits of mungbean relative to non-mycorrhizal plants under saline conditions. The increased yield and yield traits might be associated with increased dry biomass, plant resilience, nodulation, colonization, nutrient concentration and uptake of mungbean under AM inoculation. Plant resilience was noteworthy in mycorrhizal plants (96.6%, 87.6%, 81.3%, and 74.7% treated with 2, 4, 6, and 8 dS m−1, respectively) than in non-mycorrhizal plants (92.4%, 76.9%, 68.2%, and 63.0%, respectively). The effect of AM inoculation was more conspicuous in soil with more salinity. Nutrient concentration increased in mungbean due to AM inoculation. At different salinity, the root biomass was also higher in AM inoculated mungbean, relative to non-inoculated plant. Eventually, nutrients uptake per plant increased by 21.4%, 26.0%, 20.1%, 20.2%, 23.7%, 22.9%, 32.4%, and 26.9% of N, P, K, S, Ca, Mg, B, and Zn, respectively, in mungbean due to AM inoculation relative to non-mycorrhizal plants. The plant dry biomass, nodulation, colonization, nutrient concentration, and uptake were increased by AM inoculation under saline and non-saline conditions leading to an improved yield of mungbean.

Effects of arbuscular mycorrhizal inoculation on osmoregulation and antioxidant responses of blueberry plants

Effects of the arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi, Glomus mosseae, G. intraradices, and G. etunicatum, on plant growth, antioxidant content, osmoregulation, and nutrition were investigated in ‘Premier’ blueberry (Vaccinium ashei) plants exposed to low-temperature stress. Low temperature decreased mycorrhizal colonization, growth, levels of leaf soluble sugar, ascorbic acid (ASA) and root viability. However, at low temperatures, levels of leaf superoxide dismutase (SOD), peroxidase (POD), and catalase (CAT) were found to increase, accompanied by increases in levels of ASA, malondialdehyde (MDA), and proline. G. mosseae especially, significantly increased levels of SOD, POD, CAT and ASA, but decreased levels of MDA in plants. AM-inoculated plants had higher contents of proline, soluble sugar, phosphorus, potassium, calcium and magnesium than non-AM-inoculated plants, especially in the G. mosseae-inoculated plants. These results indicate that G. mosseae has the potential to enhance resistance of ‘Premier’ blueberry plants against low-temperature stress through improving antioxidant content, osmotic adjustment and mineral nutrition.

Arbuscular mycorrhizal inoculation has similar benefits to fertilization for Thuja occidentalis L. seedling nutrition and growth on peat soil over a range of pH: implications for restoration

Arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi are hypothesized to assist growth of northern white-cedar in acid peatlands, yet there is little direct evidence that they can provide sufficient resources, especially nitrogen (N), from unfertilized peat soils. Our objective was to determine mycorrhizal efficacy to support cedar growth and nutrient supply as part of a low-impact approach for ecological restoration of cedar in peatlands. We tested the effectiveness of AM inoculation in a greenhouse experiment in factorial combination with fertilization and liming. We also determined AM colonization rate in the different treatment combinations. We found that AM inoculation in the absence of fertilization significantly increased all growth parameters, phosphorus (P) concentrations, and N, P, and copper (Cu) content of the seedlings, and decreased N:P ratios. Fertilizer alone had a similar impact on plant growth and nutrient acquisition when compared to un-fertilized AM inoculation treatments. Liming alone was ineffective at increasing cedar growth and nutrient uptake. There were many interactions of AM inoculation with liming and fertilization. Specifically, the positive effect of AM inoculation on many growth and nutrition metrics was strongly reduced in the presence of fertilization, whereas the P benefit of mycorrhizas appeared to increase under liming. We conclude that addition of AM inoculation alone improved cedar growth and P acquisition, reducing the need for fertilizer and lime in peatlands. However, seedling N limitation might be a problem in strongly N-deficient peat soils.

Arbuscular mycorrhizae modify winter wheat root morphology and alleviate phosphorus deficit stress

Arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) root colonization is known to have beneficial effects on plant growth especially under phosphorus (P) deficit conditions. The objectives of present study were: (i) to quantify changes in early wheat root development of AM-inoculated (AMI) and AM-free (AMF) roots under limited P availability; (ii) to assess possible mitigating effect of AM inoculation on photochemical efficiency under P deficit stress. AMI (inoculated with Rhizophagus irregularis) and AMF wheat plants were grown for 20 days in low (1 μmol/L) and high (50 μmol/L)P treatments. AM inoculation affected root morphology and shoot P concentration in low P treatment. AM inoculation alleviated reduction of the total root length in low P treatment, mainly due to an increase of fine roots length(< 0.5 mm). Contrastingly, shoot dry weight was reduced by AM inoculation in low P treatment. P deficiency decreased photochemical efficiency of wheat plants. However, due to increased sink capacity and facilitated nutrient concentrations AM inoculation alleviates phosphorus deficit stress and increased photochemical efficiency.