Nutrient interactions and arbuscular mycorrhizas: a meta-analysis of a mycorrhiza-defective mutant and wild-type tomato genotype pair

Background and aims: Arbuscular mycorrhizas (AM) enhance plant uptake of a range of mineral nutrients from the soil. Interactions between nutrients in the soil and plant, are complex, and can be affected by AM. Using a mycorrhiza-defective mutant tomato genotype (rmc) and its wild-type (76R), provides a novel method to study AM functioning.

Methods: We present a meta-analysis comparing tissue nutrient concentration (P, Zn, K, Ca, Cu, Mg, Mn, S, B, Na, Fe), biomass and mycorrhizal colonisation data between the 76R and rmc genotypes, across a number of studies that have used this pair of tomato genotypes. Particular attention is paid to interactions between soil P or soil Zn, with tissue nutrients.

Results: For most nutrients, the difference in concentration between genotypes was significantly affected either by soil P, soil Zn, or both. When soil P was deficient, AM were particularly beneficial in terms of uptake of not only P, but other nutrients as well.

Conclusions: Colonisation by AMF significantly affects the uptake of many soil macro- and micro-nutrients. Furthermore, the soil P and Zn status also influences the difference in nutrient concentrations between mycorrhizal and non-mycorrhizal plants. The interactions identified by this meta-analysis provide a basis for future research in this area.