Mycorrhizae
The Effects of the Mychorrizal Inoculum, Rhizophagus Irregularis, on the Growth of the Rapid Grow Radish, Brassica rapa
ABSTRACT
Mycorrhizae can be described as a symbiotic relationship between a fungus and a plant where both the fungus and the plant benefit from this interaction. Endomycorrhizae and ectomycorrhizae are the two main types of mycorrhizae that produce the same overall results, but with different fungal characteristics. This study examines the effects of mycorrhizae on the growth of the rapid-grow radish, Brassica rapa. Germination rates and flowering rates of the plants were observed to determine if the mycorrhizal treatment benefitted the growth of the radish. The mychorrizal inoculum was found to have a positive effect on the earlier onset of germination and flowing.
INTRODUCTION
Mycorrhizal fungi are ubiquitous in terrestrial ecosystems, forming a symbiotic association with roots from the majority of plant species (Chen et al. 2005). These fungi benefit the plant by improving plant growth and mineral nutrition, tolerance to diseases and stresses such as drought and temperature fluctuation (Phosri et al. 2010, Reinhart et al. 2012, Welsh et al. 2010). Mycorrhizae are highly effective in acquiring nutrients such as phosphorus, which is essential for plant growth while the fungus receives photosynthate in return (Ceballos et al. 2013, Collins and Foster 2009, Welsh et al. 2010, Wilson et al. 2001). The response of plants to mycorrhizae varies greatly on the combination of plant and fungus genotypes (Bray et al. 2003). Different fungal genotypes can have positive, negative, or little effect on the growth of the same host species (Reinhart et al. 2012, Zhang et al. 2010). Certain mycorrhizae are more beneficial to different plant hosts due preferential allocation of photosynthate by host plants (Zhang et al. 2010). In the following study, the effects of mycorrhizae on the germination and growth of rapid grow radish seed were
ABSTRACT
Mycorrhizae can be described as a symbiotic relationship between a fungus and a plant where both the fungus and the plant benefit from this interaction. Endomycorrhizae and ectomycorrhizae are the two main types of mycorrhizae that produce the same overall results, but with different fungal characteristics. This study examines the effects of mycorrhizae on the growth of the rapid-grow radish, Brassica rapa. Germination rates and flowering rates of the plants were observed to determine if the mycorrhizal treatment benefitted the growth of the radish. The mychorrizal inoculum was found to have a positive effect on the earlier onset of germination and flowing.
INTRODUCTION
Mycorrhizal fungi are ubiquitous in terrestrial ecosystems, forming a symbiotic association with roots from the majority of plant species (Chen et al. 2005). These fungi benefit the plant by improving plant growth and mineral nutrition, tolerance to diseases and stresses such as drought and temperature fluctuation (Phosri et al. 2010, Reinhart et al. 2012, Welsh et al. 2010). Mycorrhizae are highly effective in acquiring nutrients such as phosphorus, which is essential for plant growth while the fungus receives photosynthate in return (Ceballos et al. 2013, Collins and Foster 2009, Welsh et al. 2010, Wilson et al. 2001). The response of plants to mycorrhizae varies greatly on the combination of plant and fungus genotypes (Bray et al. 2003). Different fungal genotypes can have positive, negative, or little effect on the growth of the same host species (Reinhart et al. 2012, Zhang et al. 2010). Certain mycorrhizae are more beneficial to different plant hosts due preferential allocation of photosynthate by host plants (Zhang et al. 2010). In the following study, the effects of mycorrhizae on the germination and growth of rapid grow radish seed were