GROWTH AND NUTRITION OF MYCORRHIZAL GUAYULE IN SALINE SOILS (ENDOMYCORRHIZAE, GLOMUS INTRARADICES, SALINITY).

Abstract

Inoculation of Parthenium argentatum (guayule) with an endomycorrhizal fungus (Glomus intraradices) increased the growth of guayule in saline and non-saline soils low in available phosphorus. Addition of 100 ug/g of P as Ca(H2PO4)2 to soils low in available phosphorus was as efficient as G. intraradices in stimulating the growth of guayule. The concentrations and total plant accumulations of minerals within guayule shoots varied depending on growth of the plants and the minerals assayed. In most cases, the concentrations of Cu, Zn, Mn, Na and Cl increased in the shoot tissues of guayule grown in soils which contained added NaCl. Generally, addition of phosphorus to the soil resulted in decreased concentrations of Cu and Zn and increased concentrations of PO4 in guayule shoots. The total accumulations of minerals by guayule was directly influenced by the biomass of plants. Increased biomass of plants generally resulted in increased total accumulations of the minerals assayed. The influence of mycorrhizae on the accumulations of minerals by guayule grown in a saline soil was evaluated by comparing nonmycorrhizal plants with the same biomass and phosphorus nutrition as mycorrhizal plants. Mycorrhizae increased the concentrations and total plant accumulations of Zn and decreased the content of Cl within guayule shoots. Colonization of guayule roots by G. intraradices was not affected by addition of P to the soil. Addition of NaCl to the soil decreased the formation of arbuscules and vesicles within roots and increased the incidence in which no fungal structures were seen. The combination of P and NaCl added to soil had a synergistic effect on the mycorrhizae of guayule. Addition of both P and NaCl to soil reduced the occurrence of hyphae, arbuscules and vesicles within roots and decreased the overall infection of guayule roots by G. intraradices.