The Effect of Rhizoplane Fungi on the Uptake and Metabolism of Nutrients by Tomato Plants

Abstract

The effects of infestation of the roots of tomato seedlings with naturally occurring rhizoplane fungi on the uptake of various nutrients has been studied. Fzlsariunr sp. suppressed the uptalie of radioactive phosphate, sulphate, bicarbonate, and glucose by the varieties Bonny Best and Geneva 11. Trichodernza viride Pers. suppressed the uptalie of inorganic ions but increased the uptalce of glucose in the varieties Moscow and Loran Blood. Marked differences were observed in the distribution of radioactivity among soluble compounds of the shoots of infested and noninfested plants after the supply of CU-labelled glucose or bicarbonate.Rhizoplane fungi appear to have a complex influence on the metabolic activities not only of the root but of the whole plant. This indicates the importance of being aware of the biological aspects of root environment in expcrimental studies with plants.'Manuscript