Effect of mycorrhiza and the phosphorus content in a nutrient solution on the yield and nutritional status of lettuce grown on various substrates

Abstract

Kowalska I., Konieczny A., Gąstoł M. 2015. Effect of mycorrhiza and the phosphorus content in a nutrient solution on the yield and nutritional status of lettuce grown on various substrates. J. Elem., 20(3): 631-642. AbstractThe potential of mycorrhization of lettuce in hydroponic conditions was tested in a two-year experiment carried out in the autumn of 2011 and 2012 in an unheated foil tunnel. The experimental factors were as follows: inoculation of plants with arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF+ or AMF-), concentration of phosphorus in a nutrient solution (10 or 40 mg dm -3 ) and the type of substrate (rockwool or coconut coir). The inoculation of plants with arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi of the genus Glomus was performed twice, i.e. while sowing seeds and when planting lettuce plants into mats. The impact of the experimental factors on the degree of colonization of lettuce roots by AMF as well as the yield and nutritional status of plants, expressed as the content of macro-and micronutrients, was studied. The mycorrhizal frequency in roots inoculated with AMF reached 51.36%. The nutrient solution concentration of phosphorus and the type of substrate did not have any significant effect on the mycorrhizal frequency. There were no differences in the yield and content of macronutrients in lettuce leaves between plants inoculated and not inoculated with AMF (AMF+, AMF-). Likewise, there were no differences in the yield caused by different phosphorus levels in the nutrient solution or the types of substrate. Plants growing on rockwool accumulated significantly less P, Ca and Mg in comparison to plants growing on coconut coir. Regarding Ca, this effect was especially pronounced in plants receiving the nutrient solution with a higher concentration of P, i.e. 40 mg dm -3 . Mycorrhiza had a significant effect on the content of Cu, Mn and Zn in lettuce leaves. Inoculated plants were characterized by a lower content of these micronutries compared to plants grown without AMF. With respect to Mn, this effect was particularly evident in plants grown on rockwool.

Chemical composition and antioxidant activity of leaves of mycorrhized sea-buckthorn ( Hippophae rhamnoides L.)

“…11%). Although there was nonsignificant effect of mycorrhiza on the Cu concentration, we observed a downward trend in Cu levels, which confirms the results of Kowalska et al (2015), stating that the mycorrhiza significantly reduced content of Cu and Zn in leaves of mycorrhized lettuce.…”

Effect of mycorrhiza on yield and quality of lettuce grown on medium with different levels of phosphorus and selenium

“…Low level of arbuscule development, limits the possibility of nutrient exchange between symbiotic organisms, what results in no effect on improvement of plant nutritional status. Similarly, no effect of mycorrhiza on plant nutritional status in P was proved in the experiment with cultivation of lettuce and tomato plants in mineral and organic growing media (Kowalska et al 2015a(Kowalska et al , 2015b. According to Hawkins and George (1997), lack of an increase in P uptake by inoculated plants in soilless cultivation results from presence of this nutrient in easy available forms, what limits the mechanism of improving plant nutritional status by AMF.…”

Growth and Antioxidant Responses of Lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.) to Arbuscular Mycorrhiza Inoculation and Seaweed Extract Foliar Application

“…It also improves water and nutrient uptake, photosynthesis potential, and carbohydrate production by altering the root morphology and thereby increasing shoot and root growth. The symbiosis of AMF plays a vital role in the carbon cycle and can increase the production of growth-promoting molecules [33]. In lettuce, the use of SWE increased plant growth probably due to the availability of significant amounts of growth hormones, amino acids, and macro-and microelements [34].…”