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Arbuscular mycorrhiza maintains nodule function during external NH +4 supply in Phaseolus vulgaris (L.)

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Abstract

The synergistic benefits of the dual inoculation of legumes with nodule bacteria and arbuscular mycorrhizae (AM) are well established, but the effect of an external NH +4 supply on this tripartite relationship is less clear. This effect of NH +4 supply was investigated with regards to the growth and function of the legume host and both symbionts. Nodulated Phaseolus vulgaris seedlings with and without AM, were grown in a sand medium with either 0 N, 1 mM or 3 mM NH +4 . Plants were harvested at 30 days after emergence and measurements were taken for biomass, N2 fixation, photosynthesis, asparagine concentration, construction costs and N nutrition. The addition of NH +4 led to a decline in the percentage AM colonization and nodule dry weights, although AM colonization was affected to a lesser extent. NH +4 supply also resulted in a decrease in the reliance on biological nitrogen fixation (BNF); however, the AM roots maintained higher levels of NH +4 uptake than their non-AM counterparts. Furthermore, the non-AM plants had a higher production of asparagine than the AM plants. The inhibitory effects of NH +4 on nodule function can be reduced by the presence of AM at moderate levels of NH +4 (1 mM), via improving nodule growth or relieving the asparagine-induced inhibition of BNF.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Center for Mountain Ecosystem Studies (CMES), Kunming Institute of Botany, Kunming, Yunnan, 650204, China

    Peter E. Mortimer

  2. Key Laboratory of Economic Plants and Biotechnology, Kunming Institute of Botany, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 132 Lanhei Road, Kunming, 650204, China

    Peter E. Mortimer

  3. Area de Ecología, Facultad de Ciencias Experimentales, University Pablo de Olavide, Cartera a Utrera, Km 1, 41013, Seville, Spain

    Maria A. Pérez-Fernández

  4. Department of Botany and Zoology, Faculty of Science, University of Stellenbosch, Private Bag X1, Matieland, 7602, Western Cape, South Africa

    Alex J. Valentine

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  1. Peter E. Mortimer
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  2. Maria A. Pérez-Fernández
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  3. Alex J. Valentine
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Correspondence to Alex J. Valentine.

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Mortimer, P.E., Pérez-Fernández, M.A. & Valentine, A.J. Arbuscular mycorrhiza maintains nodule function during external NH +4 supply in Phaseolus vulgaris (L.). Mycorrhiza 22, 237–245 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00572-011-0396-9

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