Effects of Penicillium bilaii on maize growth are mediated by available phosphorus
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Background and aims: Inoculation with Penicillium bilaii has been reported to increase plant growth, which is attributed to increase availability of phosphorus (P), but similar effects have been observed with no P limitation, suggesting that other mechanisms may be involved. The aim of this work was to evaluate the interaction between available soil P and P. bilaii inoculation on plant growth. Methods: Maize plants (Zea mays) inoculated with P. bilaii and non-inoculated were grown in pot experiments in three soils with different inherent P availability, and in a low P availability soil with different additions of mineral P, both with and without supplementation of all other macro and micronutrients. Results: We found a positive interaction between P bilaii and available P, when other nutrients were applied, with P bilaii inoculation resulting in increased root growth and thus nutrient uptake and plant growth. By contrast, when other nutrients were not supplied, little effect on plant growth or P uptake was observed, except for root length that tended to decrease in inoculated plants with P addition. Conclusions: The effects of P. bilaii inoculation were related to root growth and function, but were dependent on the nutrient status in the soil environment.
Original language | English |
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Journal | Plant and Soil |
Volume | 431 |
Issue number | 1-2 |
Pages (from-to) | 159-173 |
Number of pages | 15 |
ISSN | 0032-079X |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - 2018 |
- Penicillium bilaii, Phosphorus availability, Phosphorus-solubilising microorganisms, Plant growth promotion, Root length
Research areas
ID: 202974165