Optimization of Mycorrhizal Colonization in Different Greenhouse Crops
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Yijing Yang
College:
The Dorothy and George Hennings College of Science, Mathematics, and Technology
Major:
Biology
Faculty Research Advisor(s):
Sasmita Mishra
Abstract:
In terrestrial ecosystems, microorganisms living symbiotically with plants contribute to many
beneficial effects on growth and development. Recently, the application of soil mycorrhizae in
greenhouse crop production has gained attention as a practice for sustainable crop production.
However, the optimization of mycorrhizal fungi (MF) applications is still lacking. To test, I
hypothesized that both monocots would benefit from mycorrhizal application. In this study, I will
use corn and barley to evaluate the mycorrhizal colonization by culturing the seedlings of the
mycorrhizal fungus species Rhizophagus intraradices for seven weeks. Ten-day-old seedlings
were grown in sterile soil cultured with mycorrhizal fungi in a controlled growth condition in a
greenhouse. Parameters such as biomass, chlorophyll content, shoot length, and root-to-shoot
ratio were measured to compare the treatment effects. Surprisingly, this study found several
differences in the responses of these two plants. MF-colonized plants in barley have thicker
stems than those without MF. Similarly, MF-colonized corn plants had three times higher shoot
lengths. Interestingly, MF colonization promoted shoot and root mass in both species. However,
there was no significant difference in total chlorophyll content in corn; in contrast, MF-colonized
barley seedlings had a higher amount of total chlorophyll. Even though we chose plants from the
same Poaceae plant family, this study concludes that plants' physiological responses to
mycorrhizal colonization vary.