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Bibliography: leaves 169-193. This study investigated whether both S. Calospora and Glomus sp. "City Beach" WUM 16 both increase the rate of transfer of phosphate (P) to the plant Allium porrum, and whether the addition of P to the soil has any effect on the uptake rates. The main experiment compared the fungi under two P levels in soils. It was found that in soil with no added P, S. calospora depressed plant growth in the early stages, but was increased in later harvests. G. sp. "City Beach" increased plant growth throughout. In soil with added P, both sets of plants produced growth depressions at early stages. The effect on growth due to mycorrhizal symbiosis was greater in plants grown in soil with no phosphate added. There were no significant differences between the two fungi with reflexes of P across the interfaces. There were however temporal differences. The isolate of S. calospora did promote a positive plant growth response in A. porrum and transfer P to the plant. Mycorrhizal arbuscules were examined and visualised using Laser Scanning Confocal Microscope and 3D reconstructions performed. This allowed the surface area and volume of the arbuscules to be quantified in order to investigate differences between the fungi.

Bibliography: leaves 169-193. / xxi, 193 leaves : ill. (chiefly col.) ; 30 cm. / Title page, contents and abstract only. The complete thesis in print form is available from the University Library. / This study investigated whether both S. Calospora and Glomus sp. "City Beach" WUM 16 both increase the rate of transfer of phosphate (P) to the plant Allium porrum, and whether the addition of P to the soil has any effect on the uptake rates. The main experiment compared the fungi under two P levels in soils. It was found that in soil with no added P, S. calospora depressed plant growth in the early stages, but was increased in later harvests. G. sp. "City Beach" increased plant growth throughout. In soil with added P, both sets of plants produced growth depressions at early stages. The effect on growth due to mycorrhizal symbiosis was greater in plants grown in soil with no phosphate added. There were no significant differences between the two fungi with reflexes of P across the interfaces. There were however temporal differences. The isolate of S. calospora did promote a positive plant growth response in A. porrum and transfer P to the plant. Mycorrhizal arbuscules were examined and visualised using Laser Scanning Confocal Microscope and 3D reconstructions performed. This allowed the surface area and volume of the arbuscules to be quantified in order to investigate differences between the fungi. / Thesis (Ph.D.)--University of Adelaide, Dept. of Soil and Water, 2000?