Mycorrhizal colonization of flax under long-term organic and conventional management

Entz, M. H., Penner, K. R., Vessey, J. K., Zelmer, C. D., Martens, J. R. T.
Department of Plant Science, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Manitoba R3T 2N2, Canada.

Abstract
Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi are of particular interest in organic agricultural systems. We studied the effects of crop rotation and crop management system (conventional vs. organic) on mycorrhizal colonization of flax roots, in the 12th year of a long-term crop rotation trial.

The crop rotations studied were wheat (Triticum aestivum)-lucerne (Medicago sativa)-flax (Linus usitatissimum) and wheat-pea (Pisum sativum).

Colonization was higher in organic treatments than conventional, possibly due to decreased P availability. There was a highly significant rotation/management system interaction, which may be explained by differences in the abundance of mycorrhizal and non-mycorrhizal weed species between the two management systems.

Further research is required before stronger conclusions can be made.

Source
Canadian Journal of Plant Science, 2004 (Vol. 84) (No. 4) 1097-1099; Publisher: Agricultural Institute of Canada (AIC)

 

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Posted September 2007