Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Effects of endomycorrhizal infection on phosphate and cation uptake byTrifolium subterraneum

  • Published:
Plant and Soil Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Conclusions

Mycorrhizal fungi increase the rate of phosphate uptake by roots (P inflow) over a range of soil P levels even when mycorrhizal growth increases no longer occur. It is likely that the fungi play a direct part in uptake and translocation of P to the roots. V.A.M. effects on nodulation and N2 fixation are largely indirect, probably resulting from improved P nutrition and growth at low soil P levels. Work on inorganic cation nutrition is much less advanced, but it is already clear that there are interactions between P nutrition and cation uptake which may also be indirect. The pattern of N assimilation (N2 fixation vis-à-vis NaNO3 or (NH4)2SO4 uptake) may modify cation/P interactions. Further work is required to distinguish cause and effect and to clarify the role played by V.A.M. fungi.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. Abbott, L. K. and Robson, A. D. 1978 Growth of subterranean clover in relation to the formation of endomycorrhizas by introduced and indigenous fungi in a field soil. New Phytol.81, 575–585.

    Google Scholar 

  2. Chambers, C. A., Smith, S. E. and Smith, F. A. 1980 Effects of ammonium and nitrate ions on mycorrhizal infection, nodulation and growth ofTrifolium, subterraneum. New Phytol.85, 47–62.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  3. Powell, C. L. 1975 Potassium uptake by endotrophic mycorrhizas. In: Mosse, B. and Sanders, F. E. (eds.), Endomycorrhizas, pp. 460–468. London and New York: Academic Press.

    Google Scholar 

  4. Raven, J. A. and Smith, F. A. 1976 Nitrogen assimilation and transport in vascular land plants in relation to intracellular pH regulation. New Phytol.76, 415–431.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  5. Sanders, F. E., Tinker, P. B., Black, R. L. B. and Palmerley, S. M. 1977 The development of endomycorrhizal root systems: 1. Spread of infection and growth-promoting effects with four species of vesicular-arbuscular endophytes. New Phytol.78, 257–268.

    Google Scholar 

  6. Smith, F. A. and Smith, S. E. 1981 Mycorrhizal infection and growth ofTrifolium subterraneum: use of sterilized soil as a control treatment. New Phytol., in press.

  7. Smith, S. E. 1980 Mycorrhizas of autotrophic higher plants. Biol. Revs., in press.

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Departments of Agricultural Biochemistry and Botany, University of Adelaide, 5001, Adelaide, Australia

    Sarah E. Smith, F. Andrew Smith & D. J. Donald Nicholas

Authors
  1. Sarah E. Smith
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. F. Andrew Smith
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. D. J. Donald Nicholas
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Smith, S.E., Smith, F.A. & Nicholas, D.J.D. Effects of endomycorrhizal infection on phosphate and cation uptake byTrifolium subterraneum . Plant Soil 63, 57–64 (1981). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02374257

Download citation

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02374257

Key Words

Search

Navigation