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Pre-inoculation with arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi increases early nutrient concentration and growth of field-grown leeks under high productivity conditions

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Abstract

Pre-inoculation of transplants with arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi may increase the in-field P uptake through an increased exploitation of the soil volume and, thereby, reduce the need for P fertilizer application. The objective of this study was to investigate how pre-inoculation influences the post-transplanting rate of mycorrhizae development, nutrient uptake and growth of field-grown leek plants (Allium porrum L.) at various P levels. Field experiments were carried out in normal field soils supporting high crop production levels. This work demonstrated that pre-inoculation increased the post-transplanting rate of mycorrhizae development, the shoot and root concentration of P, Zn, Cu, and N, and the plant production. Therefore, module-raised pre-inoculated transplants should be adopted as a management strategy in leek production in order to ensure sufficient mycorrhization of young plants for uptake of P and, thereby, reduce the need for application of fertilizer P.

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Acknowledgement

This study was supported, in part, by the Danish Ministry of Food, Agriculture and Fisheries.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Horticulture, Faculty of Agricultural Sciences, University of Aarhus, P.O. Box 102, 5792, Aarslev, Denmark

    J. N. Sorensen

  2. Department of Crop Protection, Faculty of Agricultural Sciences, University of Aarhus, 4200, Slagelse, Denmark

    J. Larsen

  3. Biosystems Department, Risø National Laboratory, The Technical University of Denmark, 4000, Roskilde, Denmark

    I. Jakobsen

Authors
  1. J. N. Sorensen
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  2. J. Larsen
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  3. I. Jakobsen
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Correspondence to J. N. Sorensen.

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Responsible Editor: Peter Christie.

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Sorensen, J.N., Larsen, J. & Jakobsen, I. Pre-inoculation with arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi increases early nutrient concentration and growth of field-grown leeks under high productivity conditions. Plant Soil 307, 135–147 (2008). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11104-008-9591-7

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11104-008-9591-7

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