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Carbon for nutrient exchange between arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi and wheat varies according to cultivar and changes in atmospheric carbon dioxide concentration
Author(s) -
Thirkell Tom J.,
Pastok Daria,
Field Katie J.
Publication year - 2020
Publication title -
global change biology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 4.146
H-Index - 255
eISSN - 1365-2486
pISSN - 1354-1013
DOI - 10.1111/gcb.14851
Subject(s) - cultivar , carbon dioxide in earth's atmosphere , agronomy , nutrient , carbon dioxide , environmental science , biology , context (archaeology) , ecology , paleontology
Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) form symbioses with most crops, potentially improving their nutrient assimilation and growth. The effects of cultivar and atmospheric CO 2 concentration ([CO 2 ]) on wheat–AMF carbon‐for‐nutrient exchange remain critical knowledge gaps in the exploitation of AMF for future sustainable agricultural practices within the context of global climate change. We used stable and radioisotope tracers ( 15 N, 33 P, 14 C) to quantify AMF‐mediated nutrient uptake and fungal acquisition of plant carbon in three wheat ( Triticum aestivum L.) cultivars. We grew plants under current ambient (440 ppm) and projected future atmospheric CO 2 concentrations (800 ppm). We found significant 15 N transfer from fungus to plant in all cultivars, and cultivar‐specific differences in total N content. There was a trend for reduced N uptake under elevated atmospheric [CO 2 ]. Similarly, 33 P uptake via AMF was affected by cultivar and atmospheric [CO 2 ]. Total P uptake varied significantly among wheat cultivars and was greater at the future than current atmospheric [CO 2 ]. We found limited evidence of cultivar or atmospheric [CO 2 ] effects on plant‐fixed carbon transfer to the mycorrhizal fungi. Our results suggest that AMF will continue to provide a route for nutrient uptake by wheat in the future, despite predicted rises in atmospheric [CO 2 ]. Consideration should therefore be paid to cultivar‐specific AMF receptivity and function in the development of climate smart germplasm for the future.