Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi Alleviate Low Phosphorus Stress in Maize Genotypes with Contrasting Root Systems
Liyan Liang,
Baoxing Liu,
Di Huang,
Qiqiang Kuang,
Tingting An,
Shuo Liu,
Runjin Liu,
Bingcheng Xu,
Suiqi Zhang,
Xiping Deng,
Andrew Macrae,
Yinglong Chen
Affiliations
Liyan Liang
State Key Laboratory of Soil Erosion and Dryland Farming on the Loess Plateau, Northwest A&F University, Xianyang 712100, China
Baoxing Liu
State Key Laboratory of Soil Erosion and Dryland Farming on the Loess Plateau, Northwest A&F University, Xianyang 712100, China
Di Huang
State Key Laboratory of Soil Erosion and Dryland Farming on the Loess Plateau, Northwest A&F University, Xianyang 712100, China
Qiqiang Kuang
State Key Laboratory of Soil Erosion and Dryland Farming on the Loess Plateau, Northwest A&F University, Xianyang 712100, China
Tingting An
State Key Laboratory of Soil Erosion and Dryland Farming on the Loess Plateau, Northwest A&F University, Xianyang 712100, China
Shuo Liu
State Key Laboratory of Soil Erosion and Dryland Farming on the Loess Plateau, Northwest A&F University, Xianyang 712100, China
Runjin Liu
Institute of Mycorrhizal Biotechnology, Qingdao Agricultural University, Qingdao 266109, China
Bingcheng Xu
State Key Laboratory of Soil Erosion and Dryland Farming on the Loess Plateau, Northwest A&F University, Xianyang 712100, China
Suiqi Zhang
State Key Laboratory of Soil Erosion and Dryland Farming on the Loess Plateau, Northwest A&F University, Xianyang 712100, China
Xiping Deng
State Key Laboratory of Soil Erosion and Dryland Farming on the Loess Plateau, Northwest A&F University, Xianyang 712100, China
Andrew Macrae
Programa Pós-Graduação de Biotecnologia Vegetal e Bioprocessos da Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Av. Prof. Rodolpho Paulo Rocco, s/n-Prédio do CCS-Bloco K, 2° Andar-Sala 032, Rio de Janeiro 21941-902, Brazil
Yinglong Chen
State Key Laboratory of Soil Erosion and Dryland Farming on the Loess Plateau, Northwest A&F University, Xianyang 712100, China
Soil available phosphorus (P) is one of the main factors limiting plant growth and yield. This study aimed to determine the role of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) in P-use efficiency in two maize genotypes with contrasting root systems in response to low P stress. Maize genotypes small-rooted Shengrui 999 and large-rooted Zhongke 11 were grown in rhizoboxes that were inoculated with or without AMF (Funneliformis mosseae) under low P (no added P) or optimal P (200 mg kg−1) for 53 days. Low P stress significantly inhibited shoot and root growth, photosynthesis, tissue P content, and root P concentration in both genotypes. Shengrui 999 was more tolerant to P stress with less reduction of these traits compared to Zhongke 11. Shengrui 999 had a higher AMF infection rate than Zhongke 11 at both P levels. Under P deficit, inoculation with AMF significantly promoted plant growth and P uptake in both genotypes with more profound effects seen in Zhongke 11, whilst Shengrui 999 was more dependent on AMF under optimal P. Low P stress inhibited the growth and physiological attributes of both genotypes. The small-rooted Shengrui 999 was more tolerant to low P than Zhongke 11. Inoculation with AMF alleviates low P stress in both genotypes with a more profound effect on Zhongke 11 at low P and on Shengrui 999 at high P conditions.
