ISSN:
1573-5036
Keywords:
fumigation, growth
;
VA mycorrhizae
;
peanut
;
sterilization
Source:
Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
Topics:
Agriculture, Forestry, Horticulture, Fishery, Domestic Science, Nutrition
Notes:
Abstract The effects of soil sterilization and inoculation with vesicular-arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (VAMF) on VAMF colonization, nutrition and growth of peanut plants (cv. Virginia Bunch) were investigated in an Oxisol soil in pots in the glasshouse. Sterilization, nutrient and inoculation treatments were applied to soil with a history of either continuous summer cropping (〉50 years) or continuous grass pasture. Root colonization by VAMF was strongly affected by sterilization of soil from both cropping histories. Irradiation and aerated steam treatments virtually eliminated VAMF colonization; methyl bromide+chloropicrin caused an early reduction in colonization which was no longer visible twenty-one days after flowering; and DD+methyl isothiocyanate caused no significant reduction. Despite earlier differences in VAMF colonization of roots, plant growth responses were not recorded until after flowering. Plant growth 21 days after flowering was strongly correlated with VAMF colonization at first flower and at 21 days after first flower. Effective soil sterilization caused significant reductions in plant growth which were eliminated by addition of VAMF inoculum. Growth reductions in the absence of VAMF could be directly related to severe P deficiency, which was reflected in P uptake as early as first flower; Zn uptake was also reduced. Although VAMF colonization was slightly higher in grassland than in continuously cropped soil, growth responses to VAMF inoculation were not observed in unsterilized soil regardless of cropping history, indicating a general adequacy of resident VAMF populations. Plants grew better in untreated cropped soil than in grassland soil although growth was poor in both after effective soil sterilization. These differences could be related to the higher level of available P in the cropped soil and the inability of plants to access this P in the absence of VAMF. Regular applications of N-free nutrient solution had no effect on plant growth even in effectively sterilized soil, suggesting a threshold response to P in the absence of VAMF in this soil.
Type of Medium:
Electronic Resource
URL:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/BF02206255
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