The Synergistic Effects of AMF Inoculation and Boron Deficiency on the Growth and Physiology of <i>Camellia oleifera</i> Seedlings
Junying Liu,
Mengxue Zhang,
Jie Fan,
Wenna Ding,
Longsheng Chen,
Jie Luo,
Yongzhong Liu,
Li Mei
Affiliations
Junying Liu
College of Horticulture and Forestry Sciences, Hubei Engineering Technology Research Center for Forestry Information, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan 430070, China
Mengxue Zhang
College of Horticulture and Forestry Sciences, Hubei Engineering Technology Research Center for Forestry Information, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan 430070, China
Jie Fan
College of Horticulture and Forestry Sciences, Hubei Engineering Technology Research Center for Forestry Information, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan 430070, China
Wenna Ding
College of Horticulture and Forestry Sciences, Hubei Engineering Technology Research Center for Forestry Information, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan 430070, China
Longsheng Chen
Research Institute of Oil Tea Camellia, Hunan Academy of Forestry, Changsha 410004, China
Jie Luo
College of Horticulture and Forestry Sciences, Hubei Engineering Technology Research Center for Forestry Information, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan 430070, China
Yongzhong Liu
College of Horticulture and Forestry Sciences, Hubei Engineering Technology Research Center for Forestry Information, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan 430070, China
Li Mei
College of Horticulture and Forestry Sciences, Hubei Engineering Technology Research Center for Forestry Information, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan 430070, China
Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) symbiosis has been shown to improve the ability to obtain nutrients and resist adverse environmental conditions. However, there are few studies on the functions of AMF in the absorption and accumulation of boron (B). Moreover, it is still unclear whether the root colonization rates of AMF are limited by B deficiency. In this study, Camellia oleifera seedlings were planted in normal and boron-deficient substrates, and the seedlings were inoculated with Funneliformis mosseae or left uninoculated. The growth and physiological indices of C. oleifera seedlings were determined. The results of this experiment indicate that AMF inoculation increased the plant biomass, B content, B accumulation, and antioxidant enzyme activity in both normal and boron-deficient C. oleifera seedlings. Furthermore, boron deficiency resulted in a decrease in the AMF root colonization efficiency and the inhibition of C. oleifera seedlings’ growth and physiological activity. These findings suggest that AMF inoculation could improve the resistance to B-deficiency stress. Additionally, the colonization efficiency of AMF was adversely affected by B deficiency; thus, AMF play a cooperative role with B in the growth and physiological functions of plants. The results provide a theoretical basis for taking measures to solve B-deficiency stress in C. oleifera and other plants’ cultivation.