Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi Improve the Growth, Water Status, and Nutrient Uptake of Cinnamomum migao and the Soil Nutrient Stoichiometry under Drought Stress and Recovery

Abstract

Drought greatly influences the growth and ecological stoichiometry of plants in arid and semi-arid regions such as karst areas, where Cinnamomum migao (C. migao) is an endemic tree species that is used as a bioenergy resource. Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) play a key role in nutrient uptake in the soil-plant continuum, increasing plant tolerance to drought. However, few studies have examined the contribution of AMF in improving the growth of C. migao seedlings and the soil nutrient stoichiometry under drought-stress conditions. A pot experiment was conducted under natural light in a plastic greenhouse to investigate the effects of individual inoculation and Co-inoculation of AMF [Funneliformis mosseae (F. mosseae) and Claroideoglomus etunicatum (C. etunicatum)] on the growth, water status, and nutrient uptake of C. migao as well as the soil nutrient stoichiometry under well-watered (WW) and drought-stress (DS) conditions. The results showed that compared with non-AMF control (CK), AM symbiosis significantly stimulated plant growth and had higher dry mass. Mycorrhizal plants had better water status than corresponding CK plants. AMF colonization notably increased the total nitrogen and phosphorus content of C. migao seedlings compared with CK. Mycorrhizal plants had higher leaf and stem total carbon concentrations than CK. The results indicated that AM symbiosis protects C. migao seedlings against drought stress by improving growth, water status, and nutrient uptake. In general, the C. migao seedlings that formed with C. etunicatum showed the most beneficial effect on plant growth, water status, and nutrient uptake among all treatments. In the future, we should study more about the biological characteristics of each AMF in the field study to understand more ecological responses of AMF under drought stress, which can better provide meaningful guidance for afforestation projects in karst regions.

Contribution of Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi (AMF) in Improving the Growth and Yield Performances of Flax (Linum usitatissimum L.) to Salinity Stress

“…Specifically, AMF have been proven to enhance salt tolerance in host plants by improving nutrient uptake, and increasing chlorophyll synthesis as well as enhancing the enzyme activity of protection systems [21,22]. It is estimated that 70-90% of terrestrial plant species are associated with these beneficial microorganisms in soil [23]. These organisms play an important role in ecosystems by providing water and cycling nutrients [23,24], both of which have a significant impact on carbon, nitrogen, and phosphorus biogeochemical cycles [25].…”

“…It is estimated that 70-90% of terrestrial plant species are associated with these beneficial microorganisms in soil [23]. These organisms play an important role in ecosystems by providing water and cycling nutrients [23,24], both of which have a significant impact on carbon, nitrogen, and phosphorus biogeochemical cycles [25]. It is well known that AMF are able to take up nutrients from the soil and then transfer them to the host plants as compensation for photosynthetically fixed carbon [26,27].…”

Physiological and Enzymatic Antioxidant Responses of Solanum tuberosum Leaves to Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungal Inoculation under Water Stress

“…In contrast, in previous studies using wheat plants subjected to water stress in which the CC fungus was used, no significant differences were detected in the photosynthetic rate with the application of stress [ 36 ]. Increases in WUE have been reported in Cinnamomum migao plants [ 37 ], Terminalia arjuna plants [ 32 ], and some wheat varieties [ 36 ] with the application of AMF and water starvation. On the other hand, in potato plants infected with potato virus Y and inoculated with the AMF Funneliformis mosseae and R. irregularis , improvements in photosynthetic parameters were observed in both healthy and infected plants, although F. mosseae was shown to improve these parameters slightly more [ 38 ].…”

The arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi inoculation affects plant growth and flavonoid content in tomato plant (Lycopersicum esculentum Mill.)

“…Plant dry weight shows the accumulation of inorganic compounds [38]. AMF inoculation can increase the weight of biomass of Cucumis sativus [51] through the absorption of nutrients needed for plant growth and the photosynthesis process to produce various compounds, which will increase plant weight in both root, stem, and leaf organs [52]. The symbiosis between AMF and plant roots increases nutrient absorption by the roots, providing optimum nutrition for plants in photosynthesis and cell metabolism so that plant growth is faster and plant biomass increases.…”

“…It aids in forming proteins, the distribution of energy throughout the plant, and stimulating growth and root development [52]. In addition, AMF symbiosis with host plant roots may increase water uptake by the external mycelium of AMF into the root system through the hyphae, leading to increased plant growth and productivity [18,55].…”