Frontiers in plant science
Rice-straw extract directly stimulates pre-symbiotic arbuscular mycorrhizal fungal growth and is associated with greater phosphorus acquisition in Sorghum
By Li R and Zeng Q.
Abstract
Background
Improving arbuscular mycorrhizal fungal establishment may strengthen crop phosphorus acquisition and reduce dependence on phosphorus fertilizers. However, efficient symbiosis depends on fungal activation before root colonization, and practical approaches for stimulating this early stage remain limited.
Methods
We tested whether aqueous rice-straw extract (RSE) directly activates AMF and improves subsequent symbiosis with sorghum. Spore germination, hyphal growth, root colonization, recoverable extraradical spore density, plant biomass, phosphorus acquisition, and symbiosis-related gene expression were quantified. Phenolic-depleted RSE was included to assess the contribution of phenolic compounds.