Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Plant growth, phosphorus nutrition, and root morphological responses to arbuscular mycorrhizas, phosphorus fertilization, and intraspecific density

  • Original Paper
  • Published:
Mycorrhiza Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

We examined the effects of arbuscular mycorrhizas (AM), phosphorus fertilization, intraspecific density, and their interaction, on the growth, phosphorus uptake, and root morphology of three facultative mycotrophic crops (Capsicum annuum, Zea mays, and Cucurbita pepo). Plants were grown in pots with or without AM at three densities and four phosphorus availabilities for 10 weeks. AM colonization, plant weight, and shoot phosphorus concentration were measured at harvest. Root morphology was assessed for C. annuum and Z. mays. Phosphorus fertilization reduced but did not eliminate AM colonization of all species. AM, phosphorus, and density interacted significantly to modify growth of C. annuum and C. pepo such that increased density and phosphorus diminished beneficial effects of AM. Increased density reduced positive effects of AM on C. annuum and C. pepo shoot phosphorus concentrations. AM altered both Z. mays and C. annuum root morphology in ways that complemented potential phosphorus uptake by mycorrhizas, but increased density and phosphorus diminished these effects. We infer that increased density predominantly influenced plant responses by affecting whether or not carbon (photosynthate) or phosphorus limited plant growth. By exacerbating carbon limitation, high density reduced the benefit/cost ratio of mycorrhizas and minimized their effects.

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

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3
Fig. 4
Fig. 5

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Allen MF, Moore TS Jr, Christensen M (1980) Phytohormone changes in Bouteloua gracilis infected by vesicular-arbuscular mycorrhizae. I. Cytokinin increases in the host plant. Can J Bot 58:371–374

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Allsopp N, Stock WD (1992) Density dependent interactions between VA mycorrhizal fungi and even-aged seedlings of two perennial Fabaceae species. Oecologia 91:281–287

    Google Scholar 

  • Amijee F, Tinker PB, Stribley DP (1989) The development of endomycorrhizal root systems VII. A detailed study of effects of soil phosphorus on colonization. New Phytol 111:435–446

    Google Scholar 

  • Berta G, Fusconi A, Trotta A (1993) VA mycorrhizal infection and the morphology and function of root systems. Environ Exp Bot 33:159–173

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bryla DR, Koide RT (1990) Regulation of reproduction in wild and cultivated Lycopersicon esculentum Mill. by vesicular-arbuscular mycorrhizal infection. Oecologia 84:74–81

    Google Scholar 

  • Caldwell MM, Richards JH (1986) Competing root systems: morphology and models of absorption. In: Givnish TJ (ed) On the economy of plant form and function. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, pp 251–273

  • Casper BB, Jackson RB (1997) Plant competition underground. Annu Rev Ecol Syst 28:545–570

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Edriss MH, Davis RM, Burger DW (1984) Influence of cytokinin production in sour orange. J Am Soc Hortic Sci 109:177–189

    Google Scholar 

  • Facelli E, Facelli JM, Smith SE, McLaughlin MJ (1999) Interactive effects of arbuscular mycorrhizal symbiosis, intraspecific competition and resource availability on Trifolium subterraneum cv. Mt. Barker. New Phytol 141:535–547

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Fitter A (1991) Costs and benefits of mycorrhizas: implications for functioning under natural conditions. Experientia 47:350–355

    Google Scholar 

  • Giovannetti M, Mosse B (1980) An evaluation of techniques for measuring vesicular-arbuscular infection in roots. New Phytol 84:489–500

    Google Scholar 

  • Graham JH, Leonard RT, Menge JA (1981) Membrane-mediated decrease in root exudation responsible for phosphorus inhibition of vesicular-arbuscular mycorrhiza formation. Plant Physiol 68:548–552

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Hartnett DC, Hetrick BAD, Wilson GWT, Gibson DJ (1993) Mycorrhizal influence on intra- and interspecific neighbor interactions among co-occurring prairie grasses. J Ecol 81:787–795

    Google Scholar 

  • Hayman DS (1983) The physiology of vesicular-arbuscular endomycorrhizal symbiosis. Can J Bot 61:944–963

    Google Scholar 

  • Heppell KB, Shumway DL, Koide RT (1998) The effect of mycorrhizal infection of Abutilon theophrasti on competitiveness of offspring. Funct Ecol 12:171–175

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hetrick BAD (1991) Mycorrhizas and root architecture. Experientia 47:355–362

    Google Scholar 

  • Hetrick BAD, Hartnett DC, Wilson GWT, Gibson DJ (1994) Effects of mycorrhizae, phosphorus availability, and plant density on yield relationships among competing tallgrass prairie grasses. Can J Bot 72:168–176

    Google Scholar 

  • Howeler RH, Sieverding E (1987) Practical aspects of mycorrhizal technology in some tropical crops and pastures. Plant Soil 100:249–283

    Google Scholar 

  • Koide RT (1991) Density-dependent response to mycorrhizal infection in Abutilon theophrasti Medic. Oecologia 85:389–395

    Google Scholar 

  • Koide RT, Dickie IA (2002) Effects of mycorrhizal fungi on plant populations. Plant Soil 244:307–317

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Koide RT, Lu X (1992) Mycorrhizal infection of wild oats: maternal effects on offspring growth and reproduction. Oecologia 90:218–226

    Google Scholar 

  • Li XL, George E, Marschner H (1991) Extension of the phosphorus depletion zone in VA-mycorrhizal white clover in a calcareous soil. Plant Soil 136:41–48

    Google Scholar 

  • McConnaughay KDM, Bazzaz FA (1992) The occupation and fragmentation of space: consequences of neighboring roots. Funct Ecol 6:704–710

    Google Scholar 

  • Olsen SR, Sommers LE (1982) Methods of soil analysis. Part 2. Chemical and microbiological properties. In: Olsen SR, Sommers LE (eds) Phosphorus. AASA, Madison, Wis., pp 403–430

  • Powell CL (1974) Effect of P fertilizer on root morphology and P uptake of Carex coriacea. Plant Soil 41:661–667

    Google Scholar 

  • Price NS, Roncadori RW, Hussey RS (1989) Cotton root growth as influenced by phosphorus nutrition and vesicular-arbuscular mycorrhizas. New Phytol 111:61–66

    Google Scholar 

  • Saunders WMH (1965) Phosphate retention by New Zealand soils and its relationship to free sesquioxides, organic matter and other soil properties. N Z J Agric Res 8:30–57

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Schroeder MS, Janos DP (2004) Phosphorus and intraspecific density alter plant responses to arbuscular mycorrhizas. Plant Soil (in press)

  • Son CL, Smith SE (1988) Mycorrhizal growth responses: interactions between photon irradiance and phosphorus nutrition. New Phytol 108:305–314

    Google Scholar 

  • SPSS (2000) SPSS 10.1.0 for Windows. Version 10.1.0. SPPS, Chicago, Ill.

  • Statistix (2000) Statistix 7.0 analytical software. Version 7.0. Statistix, Tallahassee, Fla.

  • Stribley DP, Tinker PB, Rayner JH (1980) Relation of internal phosphorus concentration and plant weight in plants infected by vesicular-arbuscular mycorrhizas. New Phytol 86:261–266

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Vance CP, Uhde-Stone C, Allan DL (2003) Phosphorus acquisition and use: critical adaptations by plants for securing a nonrenewable resource. New Phytol 157:423–447

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Wilson JB (1988) Shoot competition and root competition. J Appl Ecol 25:279–296

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgements

We wish to thank CATIE for their donation of seeds of C. annuum, AM inoculum, and use of facilities. We gratefully acknowledge Drs. Andrea Schlönvoigt, Galileo Rivas, and Gilberto Paez at CATIE for help, and thank Tomás Moreno Montilla, Ryan Utz, Alexandra Rinn, Isis Pinto Franceschi, Mercedes Gordillo Ruiz, and Joaquin Avendaño Hidalgo for greenhouse and laboratory assistance. M.S.S. would like to thank the Department of Biology of the University of Miami for financial support.

Author information

Author notes

  1. M. S. Schroeder

    Present address: Crop Science Department, NC State University, Raleigh, NC 27695–7620, USA

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Biology, University of Miami, P.O. Box 249118, Coral Gables, FL 33124–0421, USA

    M. S. Schroeder & D. P. Janos

Authors
  1. M. S. Schroeder
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. D. P. Janos
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to M. S. Schroeder.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Schroeder, M.S., Janos, D.P. Plant growth, phosphorus nutrition, and root morphological responses to arbuscular mycorrhizas, phosphorus fertilization, and intraspecific density. Mycorrhiza 15, 203–216 (2005). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00572-004-0324-3

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00572-004-0324-3

Keywords

Search

Navigation