Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

The involvement of mycorrhizas in assessment of genetically dependent efficiency of nutrient uptake and use

  • Published:
Plant and Soil Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

This article summarises the way in which mycorrhizal infection of roots affects the mineral nutrition of plants and how the symbiosis may interact with the evaluation of efficiency of nutrient uptake and use by plants. A brief account of the processes of infection and the way they are affected by host genotype and environmental conditions is given and the relationships between this and mineral nutrition (especially phosphate nutrition) are outlined.

The interactions between mycorrhizal infection and P efficiency are considered at two levels. Mycorrhizas may act as general modifiers of efficiency regardless of the extent to which the plants are infected and in some mycorrhiza-dependent plants infection may change the ranking of genotypes. The extent of infection is also under genetic control and shows considerable variability between genotypes in some species. This variation could be used in programs to select varieties in which infection is rapid and nutrient uptake from nutrient deficient or low input systems is, in consequence, increased.

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

  • Abbott L K and Robson A D 1982 The role of vesiculararbuscular mycorrhizal fungi in agriculture and the selection of fungi for inoculation. Aust. J. Agric. Res. 33, 389–408.

    Google Scholar 

  • Abbott L K and Robson A D 1984 The effect of mycorrhizae on plant growth. In VA Mycorrhizae. Eds. C L Powell and D J Bagyaraj. pp 113–130. CRC Press, Boca Raton, FL.

    Google Scholar 

  • Abbott L K and Robson A D 1991 Field management of VA mycorrhizal fungi. In The Rhizosphere and Plant Growth. Eds. D L Keister and P B Cregan. pp 355–362. Kluwer Academic Publishers, Dordrecht, The Netherlands.

    Google Scholar 

  • Alexander T, Meier R, Toth R and Weber H C 1988 Dynamics of arbuscule development and degeneration in mycorrhizas of Triticum aestivum L. and Avena sativa L. with reference to Zea mays L. New Phytol. 110, 363–370.

    Google Scholar 

  • Allen M F, Allen E B and Friese C F 1989 Responses of the non-mycotrophic plant Salsola kali to invasion by vesicular-arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi. New Phytol. 111, 45–49.

    Google Scholar 

  • Azcon R and Ocampo J A 1981 Factors affecting the vesicular-arbuscular infection and mycorrhizal dependency of thirteen wheat cultivars. New Phytol. 87, 677–685.

    Google Scholar 

  • Baas R and vanBeusichem M L 1990 Genetic differentation in Plantago major L. in growth and P uptake under conditions of P limitation. Plant and Soil 123, 185–192.

    Google Scholar 

  • Baon J B, Smith S E, Alston A M and Wheeler R D 1992 Phosphorus efficiency of three cereals as related to indigenous mycorrhizal infection. Aust. J. Agric. Res. 43, 1–15.

    Google Scholar 

  • Barber S A 1984 Soil Nutrient Bioavailability. Wiley, New York, 398 p.

    Google Scholar 

  • Berthau Y, Gianinazzi-Pearson V and Gianinazzi S 1980 Development et expression de l'association endomycorhizienne chez le Ble. I. Mise en evidence d'un effet varietale. Annales d'Amelioration des Plantes 30, 67–78.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bolan N S, Robson A D and Barrow N J 1984 Increasing phosphorus supply can increase the infection of plant roots by vesicular-arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi. Soil Biol. Biochem. 16, 419–420.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bolan N S, Robson A D and Barrow N J 1987 Effects of vesicular-arbuscular mycorrhiza on the availability of iron phosphates to plants. Plant and Soil 99, 401–410.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bradbury S M, Peterson R L and Bowley S R 1991 Interactions between three alfalfa nodulation genotypes and two Glomus species. New Phytol. 119, 115–120.

    Google Scholar 

  • Carroll B J, McNeil D L and Gresshoff P M 1985 A supernodulation and nitrate-tolerant symbiotic (nts) soybean mutant. Plant Physiol. 78, 34–40.

    Google Scholar 

  • Clarkson D T 1985 Factors affecting mineral nutrient acquisition by plants. Annu. Rev. Plant Physiol. 36, 77–115.

    Google Scholar 

  • Crush J R and Carradus J R 1980 Effect of mycorrhizas on growth of some white clovers. N. Z. J. Agric. Res. 23, 233–237.

    Google Scholar 

  • Duc G, Trouvelot A, Gianinazzi-Pearson V and Gianinazzi S 1989 First report of non-mycorrhizal plant mutants (myc-) obtained in pea (Pisum sativum L.) and faba bean (Vicia faba L.). Plant Science 60, 215–222.

    Google Scholar 

  • Estaun V, Calvet C and Hayman D S 1987 Influence of plant genotype on mycorrhizal infection: Response of three pea cultivars. Plant and Soil 103, 295–298.

    Google Scholar 

  • Gardner W K, Parbery D G and Barber D A 1982 The acquisition of phosphorus by Lupinus albus L. II. The effect of varying phosphorus supply and soil type on some characteristics of the soil-root interface. Plant and Soil 68, 33–41.

    Google Scholar 

  • Gianinazzi S 1991 Vesicular arbuscular (endo-) mycorrhizas: Cellular, biochemical and genetic aspects. Agric. Ecosystems Environ. 35, 105–119.

    Google Scholar 

  • Gianinazzi S, Gianinazzi-Pearson V and Trouvelot A 1989 Potentialities and procedures for the use of endomycorrhizas with special emphasis on high value crops. In Biotechnology of Fungi for Improving Plant Growth. Eds. J M Whipps and R D Lumsden. pp 41–54. CUP, Cambridge, UK.

    Google Scholar 

  • Gianinazzi S, Trouvelot A and Gianinazzi-Pearson V 1990 Conceptual approaches for the rational use of VA endomycorrhizae in agriculture: Possibilities and limitations. Agric. Ecosystems and Environ. 29, 153–161.

    Google Scholar 

  • Gianinazzi-Pearson V, Smith S E, Gianinazzi S and Smith F A 1991 Enzymatic studies on the metabolism of vesicular-arbuscular mycorrhizas. V. Is H+-ATPase a component of ATP-hydrolysing enzyme activities in plant-fungus interfaces? New Phytol. 117, 61–74.

    Google Scholar 

  • Graham J H, Eissenstat D M and Drouillard D L 1991 On the relationship of a plants mycorrhizal dependency and rate of mycorrhizal colonisation. Func. Ecol. 5, 773–779.

    Google Scholar 

  • Guillemin J P 1989 Mise en evidence chez le pois de nouveaux mutants resistants aux champignons endomycorhizogenes: Analyses genetiques et cellulaires. Diplomes d'Etudes Approfondies, Université de Bourgogne. 25 p.

  • Hall I R 1978 Effect of vesicular-arbuscular mycorrhizas on two varieties of maize and sweetcorn. N. Z. J. Agric. Res. 21, 517–519.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hall I R, Scott R S and Johnstone P D 1977 Effect of vesicular-arbuscular mycorrhizas on response of ‘Grass lands Huia’ and ‘Tamar’ white clovers to phosphorus. N. Z. J. Agric. Res 20, 349–355.

    Google Scholar 

  • Harley J L and Smith S E 1983 Mycorrhizal Symbiosis. Academic Press, London and New York.

    Google Scholar 

  • Heckman J R and Angle J S 1987 Variation between soybean cultivars in vesicular-arbuscuar mycorrhiza fungi colonization. Agron. J. 79, 428–430.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hedley M J, Nye P H and White R E 1982 Plant induced changes in the rhizosphere of rape (Brassica napus var. Emerald) seedlings. II. Origin of the pH change. New Phytol. 91, 31–44.

    Google Scholar 

  • Itoh A and Barber S A 1983 Phosphorus uptake by six plant species as related to root hairs. Agron. J. 75, 457–461.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kesava-Rao P S, Tilak K V B R and Arunachalam V 1990 Genetic variation for VA mycorrhiza-dependent phosphate mobilisation in groundnut (Arachis hypogaea L.). Plant and Soil 122, 137–142.

    Google Scholar 

  • Koide R T 1991 Nutrient supply, nutrient demand and plant response to mycorrhizal infection. New Phytol. 117, 365–386.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kothari S K, Marschner H and Römheld V 1991 Contribution of the VA mycorrhizal hyphae in acquisition of phosphorus and zinc by maize grown in a calcareous soil. Plant and Soil, 131, 177–185.

    Google Scholar 

  • Krishna K R, Shetty K G, Dart P J and Andrews D J 1985 Genotype dependent variation in mycorrhizal colonisation and response to inoculation of pearl millet. Plant and Soil 86, 113–125.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lackie S M, Bowley S R and Peterson R L 1988 Comparison of colonisation among half-sib families of Medicago sativa L. by Glomus versiforme (Daniels and Trappe) Berch. New Phytol. 108, 477–482.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lambert D H, Cole H and Baker D E 1980 Variation in the response of alfalfa clones and cultivars to mycorrhizae and phosphorus. Crop Sci. 20, 615–618.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lamont B B 1982 Mechanisms for enhancing nutrient uptake in plants, with particular reference to mediterranean, South Africa and Western Australia. Bot. Rev. 48, 597–689.

    Google Scholar 

  • Levy Y, Dodd J and Krikun J 1983 Effect of irrigation, water salinity and rootstock on the vertical distribution of vesicular-arbuscular mycorrhiza in citrus roots. New Phytol. 95, 397–403.

    Google Scholar 

  • Manjunath A and Habte M 1991 Root morphological characteristics of host species having distinct mycorrhizal dependency. Can. J. Bot. 69, 671–676.

    Google Scholar 

  • Manske G G B 1989 Genetical analysis of the efficiency of VA mycorrhiza with spring wheat. Agric. Ecosystems Environ. 29, 273–280.

    Google Scholar 

  • McLachlan K D 1976 Comparative phosphorus responses in plants to a range of available phosphorus situations. Aust. J. Agric. Res. 27, 323–341.

    Google Scholar 

  • Menge J 1984 Inoculum production. In VA Mycorrhizae. Eds. C L Powell and D J Bagyaraj, pp 187–201. CRC press, Boca Raton, FL.

    Google Scholar 

  • Mercy M A, Shivashankar G and Bagyaraj D J 1990 Mycorrhizal colonisation in cowpea is host dependent and heritable. Plant and Soil 121, 292–294.

    Google Scholar 

  • O'Bannon J H, Evans D W and Peaden R N 1980 Alfalfa varietal response to seven isolates of vesicular-arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi. Can. J. Plant Sci. 60, 859–863.

    Google Scholar 

  • Oliver A J, Smith S E, Nicholas D J D, Wallace W and Smith F A 1983 Activity of nitrate reductase in Trifolium subterraneum: effects of mycorrhizal infection and phosphate nutrition. New Phytol. 94, 63–79.

    Google Scholar 

  • Poorter H and Lewis C 1986 Testing differences in relative growth rate: A method avoiding curve fitting and pairing. Physiol. Plant. 67, 223–226.

    Google Scholar 

  • Rajapakse S and Miller J C 1987 Intraspecific variability for V.A. mycorrhizal symbiosis in cowpea (Vigna unguiculata [L.] Walp.). In Genetic Aspects of Plant Mineral Nutrition. Eds. W H Gabelman and B C Loughman. pp 523–536. Martinus Nijhoff, Dordrecht, The Netherlands.

    Google Scholar 

  • Rubio R, Moraga E and Borie F 1990 Acid phosphatase activity and vesicular-arbuscular mycorrhizal infection associated with roots of four wheat cultivars. J. Plant Nutr. 13, 585–598.

    Google Scholar 

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

    Google Scholar 

  • Schenk M K and Barber S A 1979 Root charcteristics of corn genotypes as related to phosphorus uptake. Agron. J. 71, 921–924.

    Google Scholar 

  • Schwab S M, Menge J A and Tinker P B 1991 Regulation of nutrient transfer between host and fungus in vesicular-arbuscular mycorrhizas. New Phytol. 117, 387–398.

    Google Scholar 

  • Smith S E and Dickson S 1991 Quantification of active vesicular-arbuscular mycorrhizal infection using image analysis and other techniques. Aust. J. Plant Physiol. 18, 637–648.

    Google Scholar 

  • Smith S E and Gianinazzi-Pearson V 1988 Physiological interactions between symbionts in vesicular-arbuscular mycorrhizal plants. Annu. Rev. Plant Physiol. Mol. Biol. 39, 221–224.

    Google Scholar 

  • Smith S E and Smith F A 1990 Structure and formation of the interfacaes in biotrophic symbioses as they relate to nutrient transport. New Phytol. 114, 1–38.

    Google Scholar 

  • Smith S E and Walker N A 1981 A quantitative study of mycorrhizal infection in Trifolium: Separate determination of the rates of infection and of mycelial growth. New Phytol. 89, 225–240.

    Google Scholar 

  • Smith S E, Nicholas D J D and Smith F A 1979 The effect of early mycorrhizal infection on nodulation and nitrogen fixation in Trifolium subterraneum. Aust. J. Plant Physiol. 6, 305–311.

    Google Scholar 

  • Smith S E, StJohn B J, Smith F A and Bromley J-L 1986 Effect of mycorrhizal infection on plant growth, nitrogen and phosphorus nutrition of glasshouse-grown Allium cepa L. New Phytol. 103, 359–373.

    Google Scholar 

  • Son C L and Smith S E 1988 Mycorrhizal growth responses: Interactions between photon irradiance and phosphorus nutrition. New Phytol. 108, 305–314.

    Google Scholar 

  • Sreenivasa M N and Rajashekhara E 1989 Influence of the stage of host development and genotypes on mycorrhizal colonization of field grown wheat. Z. Mikrob. 144, 381–384.

    Google Scholar 

  • Stribley D P, Tinker P B and Rayner J H 1980b Relation of internal phosphorus concentration and plant weight in plants infected by vesicular-arbuscular mycorrhizas. New Phytol. 86, 261–266.

    Google Scholar 

  • Stribley D P, Tinker P B and Snellgrove R C 1980a Effect of vesicular-arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi on the relations of plant growth, internal phosphorus concentration and soil phosphate analyses. J. Soil Sci., 31, 655–672.

    Google Scholar 

  • Thomson B D, Robson A D and Abbott L K 1986 Effects of phosphorus on the formation of mycorrhizas by Gigaspora calospora and Glomus fasciculatum in relation to root carbohydrates. New Phytol. 103, 751–765.

    Google Scholar 

  • Tilak K V B R and Murthy B N 1987 Association of vesicualr-arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi with the roots of different cultivars of barley (Hordeum vulgare). Curr. Sci. 56, 1114–1115.

    Google Scholar 

  • Toth R, Page T and Castleberry R 1984 Differences in mycorrhizal colonisation of maize selections for high and low ear leaf phosphorus. Crop Sci. 24, 994–996.

    Google Scholar 

  • Toth R, Toth D, Starke D and Smith D R 1990 Vesicular-arbuscular mycorrhizal colonization in Zea mays affected by breeding for resistance to fungal pathogens. Can. J. Bot. 68, 1039–1044.

    Google Scholar 

  • Vierheilig H and Ocampo J A 1991 Receptivity of various wheat cultivars to infection by VA-mycorrhizal fungi as influenced by inoculum potential and the relation of VAM-effectivness to succinic dehydrogenase activity of the mycelium in the roots. Plant and Soil 133, 291–296.

    Google Scholar 

  • Young J L, Davis E A and Rose S L 1985 Endomycorrhizal fungi in breeder wheats and Triticale cultivars field grown on fertile soil. Agron. J. 77, 219–224.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Soil Science, Waite Institute, University of Adelaide, South Australia

    S. E. Smith

  2. Department of Soil Science and Plant Nutrition, School of Agriculture, University of Western Australia, Nedlands, Western Australia

    A. D. Robson & L. K. Abbott

Authors
  1. S. E. Smith
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. A. D. Robson
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. L. K. Abbott
    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., Robson, A.D. & Abbott, L.K. The involvement of mycorrhizas in assessment of genetically dependent efficiency of nutrient uptake and use. Plant Soil 146, 169–179 (1992). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00012010

Download citation

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00012010

Key words

Search

Navigation