A dual rescaled Mitscherlich model of the simultaneous savings in phosphorus and zinc fertiliser from arbuscular mycorrhizal fungal colonisation of linseed ( Linum usitatissimum L.)
- Resource Type
- research-article
- Authors
- Seymour, Nicole P.; Edwards, David G.; Thompson, John P.
- Source
- Plant and Soil, 2019 Jul 01. 440(1/2), 97-118.
- Subject
- Language
- English
- ISSN
- 0032079X
15735036
This study aimed to determine quantitatively the value of AMF in supporting plant growth at various levels of both P and Zn simultaneously.
Linseed ( Linum usitatissimum L.) was grown in a black vertisol at a range of applied P (0–400 mg/kg soil) and Zn (0–60 mg/kg soil) with and without arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) in a glasshouse experiment.
Without AMF, linseed did not respond to either P or Zn applied alone; very high rates of both P (400 mg/kg) and Zn (15 mg/kg) were required for good growth. Plants with AMF grew as well with just 50 mg P/kg and 3.75 mg Zn/kg. AMF markedly increased P content of the linseed whole tops at all levels of P and Zn fertiliser, and increased Zn content in the presence of P fertiliser rates up to 200 mg P/kg. A dual rescaled Mitscherlich equation, with terms for both P and Zn was derived and used to calculate plant growth responses and savings of P and Zn fertiliser by AMF.
AMF are clearly effective in reducing requirements of both P and Zn for efficient production of mycorrhizal-dependent crops. Diagnosis of AMF levels will allow more efficient use of P and Zn fertilisers saving on costly inputs of declining resources.