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Mycorrhizal fungi enhance growth and nutrient uptake of prickly-pear cactus ( Opuntia albicarpa Scheinvar ‘Reyna’) plantlets after ex vitro transplantation

2001; Taylor & Francis; Volume: 76; Issue: 6 Linguagem: Inglês

10.1080/14620316.2001.11511439

2380-4084

Andrés A. Estrada-Luna, Fred T. Davies,

Plant tissue culture and regeneration

SummaryWe studied the effects of a mixed Mexican arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungal inoculum (composed of Glomus albidum, G. diaphanum, and G. clámides) and low phosphate supply (0 and 11 |j,g P ml-1) on growth and nutrient uptake of micropropagated prickly-pear cactus (Opuntia albicarpa Scheinvar Reyna) plantlets. After seven months of glasshouse culture, there was 100% survival of the micropropagated plantlets. Mycorrhizal colonization occurred rapidly within 5 d of inoculation, with the development of internal hyphae in root cortical cells. At the end of the study, high levels (48-54%) of colonization were observed. Plantlets transferred to soil began to grow actively with no lag phase. However, plant growth rate was significantly affected by treatments. Poorest growth occurred with uninoculated plantlets that lacked supplementary P supply. In contrast, the combination of mycorrhizal colonization and supplementary P significantly increased shoot length, shoot and root DM and surface area of the plantlets. AM fungi enhanced concentration of P and Zn and increased nutrient uptake of P, B and Zn in the cladodes. We conclude that AM fungi can be used as a biotechnological tool that allows more efficient, low P input to enhance ex vitro transplantation of O. albicarpa.