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Microbe-Plant Interactions

Root Respiration and Growth in Plantago major as Affected by Vesicular-Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Infection ¹

Institute for Ecological Research, P. O. Box 371, 3233 ZG Oostvoorne, The Netherlands, Department of Plant Ecology, University of Utrecht, Lange Nieuwstraat 106, 3512 PN Utrecht, The Netherlands

Effects of vesicular-arbuscular mycorrhizal (VAM) infection and P on root respiration and dry matter allocation were studied in Plantago major L. ssp. pleiosperma (Pilger). By applying P, the relative growth rate of non-VAM controls and plants colonized by Glomus fasciculatum (Thaxt. sensu Gerdemann) Gerdemann and Trappe was increased to a similar extent (55-67%). However, leaf area ratio was increased more and net assimilation rate per unit leaf area was increased less by VAM infection than by P addition. The lower net assimilation rate could be related to a 20 to 30% higher root respiration rate per unit leaf area of VAM plants. Root respiration per unit dry matter and specific net uptake rates of N and P were increased more by VAM infection than by P addition. Neither the contribution of the alternative respiratory path nor the relative growth rate could account for the differences in root respiration rate between VAM and non-VAM plants. It was estimated that increased fungal respiration (87%) and ion uptake rate (13%) contributed to the higher respiratory activity of VAM roots of P. major.

¹ Grassland Species Research Group publication No. 160.

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