Genetic variability in arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi compatibility supports the selection of durum wheat genotypes for enhancing soil ecological services and cropping systems in Canada

Abstract

Crop nutrient- and water-use efficiency could be improved by using crop varieties highly compatible with arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF). Two greenhouse experiments demonstrated the presence of genetic variability for this trait in modern durum wheat ( Triticum turgidum L. var. durum Desf.) germplasm. Among the five cultivars tested, 'AC Morse' had consistently low levels of AM root colonization and DT710 had consistently high levels of AM root colonization, whereas 'Commander', which had the highest colonization levels under low soil fertility conditions, developed poor colonization levels under medium fertility level. The presence of genetic variability in durum wheat compatibility with AMF was further evidenced by significant genotype × inoculation interaction effects in grain and straw biomass production; grain P, straw P, and straw K concentrations under medium soil fertility level; and straw K and grain Fe concentrations at low soil fertility. Mycorrhizal dependency was an undesirable trait of 'Mongibello', which showed poor growth and nutrient balance in the absence of AMF. An AMF-mediated reduction in grain Cd under low soil fertility indicated that breeding durum wheat for compatibility with AMF could help reduce grain Cd concentration in durum wheat. Durum wheat genotypes should be selected for compatibility with AMF rather than for mycorrhizal dependency.

Genetics of mycorrhizal symbiosis in winter wheat (Triticum aestivum)

“…One objective of this study was to identify genotypic differences in wheat with regard to root colonization by mycorrhizal fungi and to obtain information on the genetics of mycorrhiza symbiosis. Previous studies, in which smaller sets of wheat genotypes were analyzed, have hinted at the presence of genotypic differences concerning root colonization (Kapulnik & Kushnir, ; Hetrick et al ., ; Zhu et al ., ; Singh et al ., ). Root colonization by mycorrhizal fungi was in the range 29–48% in diploid and hexaploid wheats, 18–71% in modern wheat cultivars, 6–71% in landraces originated from Asia and America, and 16–37% in Australian cultivars or modern durum wheat cultivars ( Triticum turgidum var.…”

“…durum Desf.) (Kapulnik & Kushnir, ; Hetrick et al ., ; Zhu et al ., ; Singh et al ., ). The results of this study (24–56% root colonization) are in accordance with these data.…”

Advances and Perspectives to Improve the Phosphorus Availability in Cropping Systems for Agroecological Phosphorus Management

“…Large differences in responsiveness were also reported among plant species and varieties, for instance, in wheat (Singh et al, 2012) and maize . Hetrick et al (1992) reported a loss of response to colonization in modern varieties of wheat, compared with older varieties, ancestors, and landraces.…”

Crop Diversification: A Potential Strategy To Mitigate Food Insecurity by Smallholders in sub-Saharan Africa

“…Recent scientific findings have additionally shown that mycorrhizal symbiosis may vary depending on the crop cultivar, e.g. durum wheat (Singh, Hamel, DePauw, & Knox, 2012), maize (An, Kobayashi, Enoki, Sonobe, Muraki, Karasawa, & Ezawa, 2010), and tomato (Steinkellner, HageAhmed, García-Garrido, Illana, Ocampo, & Vierheilig, 2012). More intriguing are the recent findings that modern genotypes could be less intensively colonized by AMF than ancestral ones (Lehmann, Barto, Powell, & Rillig, 2012).…”