Influence of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungus, phosphorus and zinc on wheat grown on a calcareous soil

Abstract:Phosphorus (P) and zinc (Zn) are among important essential nutrients for wheat. Zn deficiency is common in some agricultural soils especially in calcareous soils. It appears that arbuscular mycorrhizae (AM) facilitate uptake of both Zn and P under deficient condition. A greenhouse experiment was conducted to investigate the influence of AM inoculation, and P and Zn addition on grain yield and nutrient composition of wheat grown on a calcareous soil. Results showed that Zn addition increased Zn uptake in both straw and grain tissues but had no significant effect on straw and grain dry matter or uptake of other metal micronutrients in these tissues. Addition of P increased grain dry matter yield but had no significant effect on straw dry matter. Application of P fertilizer increased P, Cu and Mn uptakes but decreased Zn and Fe uptakes in both straw and grain tissues. Inoculation with Glomus mossae increased both straw and grain dry matter yields. This practice increased P, Zn, Cu, and Fe uptakes in wheat tissues. The capability of AM in promoting nutrient uptake and crop yield demonstrated the necessity of paying more attention to use of AM as an alternative practice for mineral P and Zn fertilization.