Effect of Glomus intraradices on root morphology, biomass production and phosphorous use efficiency of Chinese fir seedlings under low phosphorus stress

IntroductionAvailable phosphorus (P) scarcity in the highly weathered soils of the subtropical forests in southern China is a serious concern. To ensure whether inoculation of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) with Chinese fir (Cunninghamia lanceolata) under low P stress conditions could promote its growth and P utilization capacity, an indoor pot simulation experiment was carried out with the different P supply treatments and Chinese fir seedlings as the tested material. MethodsThe experiment had two P supply treatments, no P supply (P0, 0 mmol center dot L-1 KH2PO4) and normal P supply (P1, 1.0 mmol center dot L-1 KH2PO4). The seedling in each P supply treatment was inoculated with Glomus intraradices (Gi), a widespread species of AMF in the natural environment, and with no AMF inoculation as a control treatment (CK). The Gi infection rate in the root system, root cortex tissue dissolution rate, root morphological indexes and biomass, whole plant P use efficiency, and root P use efficiency of Chinese fir were determined under different treatment conditions. Results and DiscussionThe results showed that P0 treatment significantly increased the Gi infection rate (p< 0.05). After inoculating AMF with different P supply treatments, the root cortex tissue dissolution rate was considerably enhanced. In contrast, the Chinese fir's root length and surface area were reduced; however, the root volume did not change significantly. The average root diameter in the P0 treatment and inoculated with AMF was significantly more prominent than in the uninoculated treatment (p< 0.05). The root biomass and root-to-shoot ratio at different P supply treatments were significantly higher in the Gi infection treatment than in the CK group. Under different P supply treatments, root inoculation with Gi promoted root P use efficiency and whole plant P use efficiency. In conclusion, low P stress condition promoted the colonization of AMF in the root system, increased the dissolution of root cortex tissue, root volume, and the average diameter, and promoted root biomass accumulation and P use efficiency.