Effects of arbuscular mycorrhiza fungi on growth, physiology, and irrigation run-off of selected ornamental crops /
The effects of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) on growth, physiology and irrigation run-off of selected ornamental crops were studied. The effects of AMF inoculation on root phosphatase acid and alkaline enzymatic activity were also characterized. AMF commercial inocula (EndoNet® and Mycorise®Pr...
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| Format: | Thesis Book |
| Language: | English |
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[Place of publication not identified] :
[publisher not identified] ;
2002.
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| Online Access: | http://proxy.library.tamu.edu/login?url=http://proquest.umi.com/pqdweb?did=765069451&sid=1&Fmt=2&clientId=2945&RQT=309&VName=PQD |
| Summary: | The effects of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) on growth, physiology and irrigation run-off of selected ornamental crops were studied. The effects of AMF inoculation on root phosphatase acid and alkaline enzymatic activity were also characterized. AMF commercial inocula (EndoNet® and Mycorise®Pro) colonized plant roots and enhanced the growth of Chilopsis linearis, Ipomoea carnea subsp. fistulosa, Plumbago auriculata and Platanus occidentalis under simulated commercial nursery container production systems. Bioterra Plus [TM] was also effective in establishing colonization and enhancing growth of P. occidentalis. The greatest colonization (total arbuscules, vesicles/endospores, and intraradical hyphae formation) was found in I. carnea and P. auriculata inoculated with EndoNet® and Mycorise®Pro (8 to 15 %). Chilopsis linearis, P.occidentalis and D. virginiana produced colonization levels of 4% when inoculated (EndoNet® and Mycorise®Pro). The long-term effect of nursery inoculation on growth and survivability of these species during the landscape phase of this study did not have a significant effect, probably due to the high native AMF population present and low fertility of the landscape site. AMF significantly enhanced the marketability, growth index, root, leaf, shoot and total dry mass of I. carnea subsp. fistulosa with organic and inorganic slow release fertilizer (SRF). Greater growth enhancement and marketability occurred in AMF plants with inorganic SRF. While AMF did not alter leachate electrical conductivity, AMF plants generally had greater nutrition status, probably as result of higher absorption of total inorganic ions, resulting in better growth responses. Inoculation with AMF effectively allowed the use of lower SRF recommended application rates, and thus could minimize leaching and runoff of fertilizer nutrients while still producing marketable containerized plant. The use of organic SRF in combination with AMF inoculation enhanced growth index, height, caliper, root, leaf, shoot and total dry mass of I. carnea subsp. fistulosa. AMF inoculation also increased net phostosynthesis and nutrient uptake of N, P, K, Fe, Cu and Zn. The improvement in total P nutrition status of AMF plants was correlated to increased in root acid phosphatase activity (ACP). A higher correlation occurred between root ACP and alkaline phsopahtase activity (ALP) in AMF plants than nonAMF plants, demonstrating the importance of AMF on organic-P mineralization. |
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| Item Description: | Vita. "Major Subject: Horticulture". |
| Physical Description: | xix, 191 leaves : illustrations ; 28 cm. Issued also on microfiche from University Microfilm Inc. |
| Bibliography: | Includes bibliographical references (leaves 170-191). |