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Culture of mycorrhizal tree seedlings under controlled conditions: Effects of nitrogen and aluminium
Author(s) -
Jentschke Georg,
Godbold Douglas L.,
Huttermann Aloys
Publication year - 1991
Publication title -
physiologia plantarum
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.351
H-Index - 146
eISSN - 1399-3054
pISSN - 0031-9317
DOI - 10.1111/j.1399-3054.1991.tb08751.x
Subject(s) - ectomycorrhiza , paxillus involutus , mycorrhiza , chlorosis , nutrient , biology , ammonium , picea abies , root system , lactarius , botany , horticulture , symbiosis , chemistry , ecology , genetics , organic chemistry , bacteria
A sand culture system was developed for growth of mycorrhizal seedlings under monoxenic conditions, with frequently renewed nutrient solution The composition of the nutrient solution resembled that of a forest soil solution, based on long‐term measurements from forest sites at Soiling, northern Germany. Seedlings of Picea abies (L.) Karst. inoculated with Lactarius rufus (Scop.) Fr. were grown in this culture system. Plants developed rapidly, having almost totally mycorrhizal root systems. Nitrate at 2.7 mM in the nutrient solution and applied over a 13 week period had no negative effect on mycorrhizal development. Ammonium at 2.7 mM reduced the degree of mycorrhizal infection slightly, in such a way that the degree of mycorrhizal infection was reduced to a much less extent than the total number of root lips. Hence, the impact of NH + 4 may be primarily on root development and not on mycorrhizal fungal colonization. When the concentrations of NO‐ 3 and NH + 4 used in the present study are compared to those found in forest soil solutions, NO‐ 3 and NH 4 + would not appear to influence mycorrhizal development negatively under natural conditions. Aluminium at 0.8 mM and applied over a 13 week period reduced Mg uptake into roots and needles by 52 and 64%, respectively, resulting in needle chlorosis and strongly reduced photosynthetic activity. From a comparison of this study with others, no major difference in physiological response to aluminium exposure between non‐mycorrhizal seedlings and seedlings colonized with Lactarius rufus was found.