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Phosphate Source Interacts with Endophyte Strain to Influence Biomass and Root System Architecture in Tall Fescue
Author(s) -
Ding Na,
Kupper Joseph V.,
McNear David H.
Publication year - 2015
Publication title -
agronomy journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.752
H-Index - 131
eISSN - 1435-0645
pISSN - 0002-1962
DOI - 10.2134/agronj14.0135
Subject(s) - endophyte , shoot , festuca arundinacea , biology , agronomy , biomass (ecology) , poaceae , dry weight , phosphate , root system , nutrient , dry matter , botany , horticulture , ecology , biochemistry
Endophyte infection in tall fescue has been associated with greater P uptake. This study was designed to determine the influence of endophyte genotype on the ability of tall fescue to mobilize inorganic phosphorus (Pi) from four Pi sources (KH 2 PO 4 [K–Ps], FePO 4 [Fe–Ps], AlPO 4 [Al–Ps] and Ca 3 (PO 4 ) 2 [Ca–Ps]). Tall fescue infected with three different endophytes (CTE+, AR542E+, and AR584E+) and endophyte free (E–) were grown in growth media amended with four P sources at three P levels (control, low 0.31 mg/L, and high 31 mg/L) for 3 wk after which root system architecture, P uptake, and dry biomass were determined. The P source and P concentration had the most influence on plant growth and P uptake. Endophyte and the interaction between P source and endophyte strongly influenced shoot and total dry mass in P‐limiting conditions. Greater P uptake was found in plants grown with Ca–Ps compared to the other Pi sources and control treatments, regardless of P level and endophyte status. Endophyte‐infection, irrespective of type, resulted in more plant biomass (dry matter, DM) than non‐infected tall fescue in low K–P treatment. Longer roots, greater surface area and root/shoot ratio in high Fe–Ps level than those in other P treatments, but lower P uptake were observed, regardless of endophyte status. Morphological changes in the roots system of tall fescue due to endophyte infection were influenced by P source.