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Some nutritional aspects of the biology of ericaceous mycorrhizas

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  05 December 2011

D. J. Read  and
R. Bajwa
D. J. Read
Affiliation:
Department of Botany, The University of Sheffield, Sheffield S10 2TN
R. Bajwa
Affiliation:
Department of Botany, The University of Sheffield, Sheffield S10 2TN
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Synopsis

Some aspects of the role of the ericoid mycorrhizal symbiosis in the ecology and physiology of ericaceous plants are described. Mycorrhizal infection leads to enhancement of plant nitrogen content and an experimental analysis of the basis of this effect is reported. In addition to improving the efficiency of ammonium absorption at low concentrations, the mycorrhizal endophyte utilises amino acids, peptides and proteins as nitrogen substrates for growth. These are the predominant nitrogen sources in organic heathland soil. It is suggested that the success of ericaceous plants in such soils may arise through the capacity of the mycorrhizal fungus to provide its host with access to this nutrient resource. A model is described in which absorption of ammonium and amino nitrogen leads to soil acidification, increased acid protease activity and improved vigour of the ericaceous plants.

Type
Research Article
Information
Proceedings of the Royal Society of Edinburgh, Section B: Biological Sciences , Volume 85 , Issue 3-4: Symbiosis and Plant Nutrition , 1985 , pp. 317 - 331
Copyright
Copyright © Royal Society of Edinburgh 1985

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