Interactive Effects of Mycorrhization and Fertilization on Growth, Nutrition, and Water Relations of Sweet Birch

Abstract

Pisolithus tinctorius (Pers.) Coker & Couch was evaluated as an ectomycorrhizal associate of sweet birch (Betula lenta L.). Sand culture and mine soil growth media were employed, and three fertilization treatments were imposed by application of differing Hoagland's nutrient solution #2 concentrations. The high fertilization treatment suppressed mycorrhizal formation by P. tinctorius in both growth media, while the medium rather than the low treatment induced the most extensive colonization by this mycobiont. Seedlings with induced P. tinctorius mycorrhization exhibited enhanced above-and below-ground growth ac-cording to shoot dimensions and dry weight and root weight and length. However, these responses were frequently absent with high fertilization, especially in the mine soil. Inoculated seedlings had higher foliar N, P, and K concentrations overall but lower Ca, Mg, and S concentrations than uninoculated seedlings. Those with P. tinctorius also had lower concentrations of several potentially phytotoxic trace elements, specifically Zn, B, Mo, and Al. Furthermore, xylem pressure and soil water potentials measured during a simulated drought episode indicated that water uptake was enhanced by these mycorrhizae. Again, however, the above physiological responses were often compromised by high fertilization. Collectively, these results indicate that P. tinctorius is a viable mycobiont for the inoculation of sweet birch, and when substrate fertility is not excessive, can avail this host of physiological benefits that result in substantial growth enhancement.

Fertilisation of Quercus seedlings inoculated with Tuber melanosporum: effects on growth and mycorrhization of two host species and two inoculation methods

“…Nursery practices must be fine-tuned to encourage colonisation by T. melanosporum, but also to improve vegetative quality of seedlings. However, in nursery fertilisation experiments a conflict between optimal seedling growth and EM colonisation has been reported for many EM fungi (Castellano & Molina 1989, Walker et al 2003, Diaz et al 2010. Two mechanisms have been suggested to explain this conflict: (i) the host reducing carbon supply to the fungus due to a greater carbon demand by growing shoots, or (ii) the fungus requiring most carbon received from the plant to assimilation of the greater N uptake (Wallander 1995).…”

“…However, Treseder (2004 showed that nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) fertilisations decrease mycorrhizal abundance in the field. In nursery experiments, high fertilisation levels have been found to inhibit the formation of ectomycorrhizas of many fungal species including T. melanosporum (Dupré et al 1982, Beckjord et al 1985, Walker et al 2003, Diaz et al 2010, although Castellano & Molina (1989) noticed that some species are much more tolerant and that fertilisation effect was dependent on the application system, fertiliser type, dose and form. On the other side, Quoreshi & Timmer (2000) and Rincon et al (2007) found fertiliser doses that increased growth of containerised conifer seedling without decreasing colonisation levels of inoculated fungi from various EM species.…”

Fertility-dependent effects of ectomycorrhizal fungal communities on white spruce seedling nutrition

“…There is much less synthesized information about EcMF effects on micronutrients (George et al 1994). It appears that effects on micronutrients may be contingent on both host and symbiont (e.g., Mitchell et al 1984Mitchell et al , 1990Dixon and Hiol-Hiol 1992;Walker et al 2003).…”

Yield and Quality of Inflorescences in the Zantedeschia albomaculata (Hook.) Baill. ‘Albomaculata’ after the Treatment with AMF and GA3

“…Janowska et al [35] observed that another growth regulator-BA-applied at 600 mg•dm −3 , stimulated the uptake of Mn and Zn in G. hybridus 'Black Velvet', whereas, at concentrations ranging from 100 to 600 mg•dm −3 , it stimulated the B uptake but inhibited the Cu uptake. Walker et al [37] observed a similar phenomenon in Betula lenta leaves. Janowska et al [26] found that mycorrization only affected the Mn content in Zantedeschia albomaculata leaves but had no effect on the content of Na and other microelements.…”