Record ID No. |
1933 |
Author(s) |
Sun, Y; Li, XL; Feng, G. , 2008 |
Affiliation |
Feng G, China Agr Univ, Coll Nat Resources & Environm Sci, Beijing 100094, PEOPLES R CHINA |
Title |
Effect of arbuscular mycorrhizal colonization on ecological functional traits of ephemerals in the Gurbantonggut desert |
Source. Vol.(no):Page |
Symbiosis, 46(3): 121-127 |
Categories |
Arbuscular Mycorrhiza |
Subjects |
Biochemistry |
Sub-subjects |
Miscellaneous |
Country |
Peoples R China, Asia |
Abstracts |
The spring ephemerals are distinct and important flora in the Gurbantonggut desert, in central Asia and northwestern China. In order to understand the role of arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi on growth of ephemerals, a pot experiment was conducted in greenhouse conditions. Two desert ephemerals, Erodium oxyrrhynchum and Plantago minuta, were tested for their response to inoculation with two AM fungi, BEG 167 (Glomus mosseae) and BEG 141 (Glomus intraradices). The results showed that mycorrhizal colonization led to marked improvement in both the reproductive (timing of flowering and number of seeds) and vegetative (dry matter) phase of the two ephemeral plants. Dry weight per plant inoculated with AM fungi was 57 to 67 percent higher than the control in E. Oxyrrhynchum and 8 to 11 times higher than the control in P. Minuta. Anthesis was advanced by 14 to 17d in P. Minuta and 5 to 7d in E. Oxyrrhynchum, respectively, when both plants were inoculated with AM fungi. Colonization of mycorrhizal fungi significantly increased the total number of seeds or fruits per plant. Water use efficiency and photosynthetic rates were significantly higher in inoculated E. Oxyrrhynchum plants than those of non-inoculated plants. These results indicate that although the two spring ephemerals were able to finish their life cycle without AM fungi, the fungi might greatly enhance survival and population expansion by advancing the timing of flowering and by increasing seed production in the desert environment in the spring. |