Field use of 32 P to Measure Phosphate Uptake by Birch Mycorrhizas
- Resource Type
- research-article
- Authors
- Dighton, John; Mason, Philip A.; Poskitt, Jan M.
- Source
- The New Phytologist, 1990 Dec 01. 116(4), 655-661.
- Subject
- Ectomycorrhizas
32P
Birch
Hebeloma
Field Experiment
Forest canopy
Plant roots
Orchard soils
Leaves
Pine trees
Injection sites
Mycorrhizas
Hardwood trees
Phosphorus
Nutrient uptake
- Language
- English
- ISSN
- 0028646X
14698137
32 P was used to determine phosphorus uptake by different mycorrhizas of birch in the field. Time of year and location of the application of 32 P were the dominant variables influencing uptake into the canopy. There was evidence of differential uptake by the three mycorrhizal types selected. Where Hebeloma mycorrhizas were more frequent, a significantly greater rate of phosphorus uptake per unit leaf weight occurred than where Laccaria or Lactarius were more frequent. The method shows potential for field evaluation of efficiency of nutrient uptake by mycorrhizas, although a number of factors need to be taken into account in determining uptake. In locating areas for 32 P injection, it was found that the distribution of mycorrhizal types on roots did not always reflect the distribution of the corresponding fruitbodies.