Summary
The legumeMedicago sativa was grown in two phosphate-fixing soils which received soluble or rock phosphate. The effects of the inoculation withGlomus mosseae on plant nutrition and nodulation were studied. The introduced VA fungi became successfully established and improved the degree of infection over level achieved by native endophytes. In all experimental conditions tested, plant dry weight, the total uptake of N and P and nodulation byRhizobium meliloti were increased by mycorrhizal inoculation. The size of the increase was inversely correlated with soluble P content in the soil. Mycorrhization, enhanced by introduction of suitable VA fungi, had similar effects to that of the dose of soluble phosphate tested. Indigenous and native endophytes cooperated in these effects. Results are discussed in terms of reducing the input of soluble P fertilizer to phosphate-fixing soils and the possibility of restoring the phosphate stock using a more rational supply of soluble P, that allows cooperation with VA fungi, or by the use of less soluble and expensive forms of P fertilizers.
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Barea, J.M., Escudero, J.L. & Azcon-G. de Aguilar, C. Effects of introduced and indigenous VA mycorrhizal fungi on nodulation, growth and nutrition ofMedicago sativa in phosphate-fixing soils as affected by P fertilizers. Plant Soil 54, 283–296 (1980). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02181854
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02181854