Plant
and Soil 104(1): 31-35 (1987)
Effects
of VA-mycorrhizal fungi on growth and nutrient uptake of cuttings of Rosa
multiflora
in two container media with three levels of fertilizer application
Fred T. Davies, Jr.
Abstract
Rooted cuttings of Rosa multiflora 'Brooks 56' were grown in a medium of 1 mineral soil:1
sand (v/v) or 4 bark:1 sand (v/v) inoculated with the VA-mycorrhizal (VAM)
fungi Glomus mosseae (Nicol, and
Gerd.) Gerd, and Trappe and G. fasciculatum (Thaxt. sensu Gerd.) Gerd. and Trappe or left as
noninoculated controls. The slow release fertilizer osmocote was applied at
rates of either 0, 1.2, or 4.2kg/m3 (18N-6P-12K) and incorporated
into the container medium. After 180 days plants were evaluated for growth,
development and chemical leaf analysis. Greatest growth responses occurred
after the highest fertilizer application of 4.2kg/m3, and the
poorest one after 0kg/m3. Combination bark: sand medium was superior
to mineral soil:sand medium for growth of mycorrhizal plants. At 0kg/m3,
mycorrhizal plants in bark:sand medium had longer shoots than other treatments.
At 1.2kg/m3, VAM plants compared to nonmycorrhizal plants in
bark:sand medium had greater effect on growth parameters. At the highest
fertilizer application of 4.2 kg/m3, greatest growth responses
occurred with VAM plants in bark:sand medium. Mycorrhizal plants compared to
nonmycorrhizal plants in bark:sand medium had greater K and Zn uptake at 0kg/m3,
and greater K, Ca, S. Mn and Zn uptake at 1.2kg/m3.