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Comparative Water Relations and Photosynthesis of Mycorrhizal and Non-Mycorrhizal Bouteloua-Gracilis HBK Lag Ex Steud
Allen, Michael F. Smith, W. K. Moore, T. S. Christensen, M.
Allen, Michael F.
Smith, W. K.
Moore, T. S.
Christensen, M.
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Abstract
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The rangeland grass, Bouteloua gracilis was inoculated with its mycorrhizal symbiont, Glomus fasciculatus, to determine the influence of vesicular-arbuscular mycorrhizae on water status, stomatal behaviour and photosynthesis as well as gross plant morphology, biomass and phosphorus content. Mycorrhizal infection increased transpiration rates by over 100% with 50 to 70% lower leaf resistance to water vapour diffusion. Leaf xylem pressure was not different between mycorrhizal and non-mycorrhizal plants indicating that whole-plant resistance to water transport was reduced by more than 50%. Photosynthetic rates under saturating light conditions increased 68% with infection as a consequence of a 33% reduction in stomatal resistance and 67% reduction in mesophyll resistance to CO₂ uptake. Mycorrhizal infection did not affect biomass or gross plant morphology after 30 weeks of growth, but increased chlorophyll and phosphate concentrations by 28% and 70% respectively. These physiological changes indicate that mycorrhizae may substantially alter survival ability of Bouteloua gracilis.
Date
1981-01-01
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University of Wyoming. Libraries
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Mathematics