Variation in mycorrhizal growth response among a spring wheat mapping population shows potential to breed for symbiotic benefit

All cereal crops engage in arbuscular mycorrhizal symbioses which can have profound, but sometimes deleterious, effects on plant nutrient acquisition and growth. We conducted a mycorrhizal responsiveness phenotype screen in wheat (Triticum aestivum L.), using 99  lines of an Avalon × Cadenza doubled-haploid mapping population. Plant growth response to inoculation was remarkably varied among lines, ranging from more than 30% decrease to 80% increase in shoot biomass, while plant responsiveness was not correlated with the degree of mycorrhizal colonisation. AbstractAll cereal crops engage in arbuscular mycorrhizal symbioses which can have profound, but sometimes deleterious, effects on plant nutrient acquisition and growth. The mechanisms underlying variable mycorrhizal responsiveness in cereals are not well characterised or understood. Adapting crops to realise mycorrhizal benefits could reduce fertiliser requirements and improve crop nutrition where fertiliser is unavailable. We conducted a phenotype screen in wheat (Triticum aestivum L.), using 99  lines of an Avalon × Cadenza doubled-haploid mapping population. Plants were grown with or without a mixed inoculum containing 5 species of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi. Plant growth, nutrition and mycorrhizal colonisation were quantified. Plant growth response to inoculation was remarkably vari ed among lines, ranging from more than 30% decrease to 80% increase in shoot biomass. Mycorrhizal plants did not suffer decreasing s...
Source: Food and Energy Security - Category: Food Science Authors: Tags: ORIGINAL ARTICLE Source Type: research