Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi Effectively Enhances the Growth of Gleditsia sinensis Lam. Seedlings under Greenhouse Conditions

Abstract

The Chinese honey locust tree Gleditsia sinensis Lam. (Fabaceae) is a precious ecological and economic tree species that has wide-ranging usage. However, knowledge regarding seedling cultivation (especially the use of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF)) is scarce, which limits the developent of Gleditsia plantations. A pot experiment was carried out under greenhouse conditions to estimate the effects of three AMF strains (Funneliformis mosseae 1, Funneliformis mosseae 2, and Diversispora tortuosa) on the growth, photosynthetic rate, and nutrient content of G. sinensis seedlings. Results showed that the growth parameters (seedling height, basal diameter, dry biomass) of the seedlings were significantly increased by each of the three AMF strains, associated with high root colonization rates (greater than 75%). Chlorophyll concentrations and photosynthetic rates were also increased by AMF, and phosphorus (P), and potassium (K) content in the three organs (leaf, stem, and root), and nitrogen (N) content in the leaf and stem of arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) seedlings were significantly higher than in non-AM seedlings. Mycorrhizal dependency of the AM seedlings was greater than 350%, and significantly correlated with the increased P and K content in all three organs and increased N content in the leaf and stem. Positive effects of F. mosseae on growth and the nutrient content of seedlings were higher than those of D. tortuosa, but no significant different effects on G. sinensis seedlings were observed between the two strains of F. mosseae. Hence, growth of G. sinensis seedlings was effectively enhanced by AMF, with F. mosseae being more suitable for the inoculation of G. sinensis seedlings. These results indicate that arbuscular mycorrhization is beneficial for the growth of young G. sinensis plants. Further research is needed to determine whether the effects can be reproduced in a forest situation.

Application of Mycorrhizae and Beauveria in Organic Farming System Effectively Control Leafminers and Enhance Shallot Production

“…Despite the variability response of crops to the mycorrhizae application (Estaún, Calvet, & Camprubí, 2010;Kokkoris, Hamel, & Hart, 2019;Saia et al, 2020), our result is in line with number of studies related with significant contribution of mycorrhizae in increasing the crops yield (Bhardwaj, Ansari, Sahoo, & Tuteja, 2014;Saleh, Anshary, & Made, 2018;Samanhudi, Yunus, Pujiasmanto, Cahyani, & Lestariana, 2017;Wang et al, 2019). This study also confirmed the importance of AM application on the allium species that have limited expansion of the root system as one obstacle to absorb sufficient nutrients for plant growth (Golubkina et al, 2020).…”

Isolation, Characterization, and Efficacy of Actinobacteria Associated with Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Spores in Promoting Plant Growth of Chili (Capsicum flutescens L.)

“…Each plant was inoculated with one hundred AMF spores, and 20 mL of actinobacterial inoculum was added to the substrate near the root zone for each seedling. The experiment was performed with a schedule of regular watering and feeding using the modified Hoagland's nutrient solution [40] once a week. Values of plant height, leaf number, stem diameter, and branch number were recorded at 15, 30, 45, 60, 100, and 180 days after planting.…”

The Role of Mycorrhizae on Seedlings and Early Growth of Sugarcane

“…AMF inoculation since seedling in forest plants (Gleditsia sinensis Lam) was also reported to increase seedling height, stem diameter, dry weight of seed biomass, chlorophyll content, photosynthetic rate, and NPK content in root, stem, and leaf tissue [13]. Likewise, inoculation of AMF in nurseries on tropical plant seeds was also reported to increase plant height, root diameter, and biomass [16] as well as N and P content of seedlings and root dry weight in forest plant seedlings [17].…”

“…Likewise, mycorrhizae play a role in accelerating the growth or emergence of secondary roots in sugarcane seedling [12]. Mycorrhizae also appeared to have a significant role in increasing the growth of forest plant seedlings in the nursery, the increase in leaf chlorophyll content, photosynthesis rate, NPK content in root, stem and leaf compared to plants without mycorrhizal inoculation [13].…”