Root alterations and nutrient uptake of mangosteen (Garcinia mangostana L.) seedlings in response to arbuscular mycorrhizal inoculation

• Main Authors: Muhamad, Masri, Hashim, Azizah
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Malaysian Agricultural Research and Development Institute (MARDI) 1998
• Online Access: http://psasir.upm.edu.my/id/eprint/48913/1/Root%20alterations%20and%20nutrient%20uptake%20of%20mangosteen%20%28Garcinia%20mangostana%20L.%29%20seedlings%20in%20response%20to%20arbuscular%20mycorrhizal%20inoculation.pdf; http://psasir.upm.edu.my/id/eprint/48913/; http://ejtafs.mardi.gov.my/index.php/publication/issues/archive/93-1998/volume-26-no2/647-260208

Alterations to root system characteristics and nutrient uptake of mangosteen (Garcinia mangostana L.) seedlings in response to arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) inoculation were studied. Weight-related parameters were unsuccessful in detecting small changes in infected roots. Tap-root penetration, root dry weight and root-to-shoot ratio were not influenced by AM inoculation. However, AM inoculation induced significant changes to length-related characteristics. In comparison with the uninoculated controls, AM inoculation increased root length density by 58–87%, root branching density by 20–30%, number of root tips by 22–25% and number of laterals by 15–26%. Positive alterations to root system were accompanied by tremendous increase in nutrient uptake. Uptakes of P, Zn and Cu were 67–88, 50–93 and 34–37% higher in inoculated seedlings. These results indicate that improved growth and nutrient uptake of the AM-inoculated seedlings were due to positive alterations of root system characteristics by the symbiosis.