A greenhouse study was initiated to asses P uptake, growth, colonization, total mycorrhizal P levels, and mycorrhizal polyphosphate levels in loblolly pine seedlings colonized with different ectomycorrhizal fungi and grown in a Piedmont soil. The pine seedlings were inoculated with one of four species of fungi (Scleroderma aurantium, Pisolithus tinctorius, Thelephora terrestris, and Rhizopogon roseolus). Uninoculated trees served as a control. The seedlings were grown in pots containing a Cecil sandy clay loam amended with one of the following: 75% sand, 25% sand, enamended, 56 kg P ha⁻¹, 112 kg P ha⁻¹. They were harvested ten months after planting. Shoot lengths, root lengths, biomass, and total P of all plant parts including mycorrhizae were determined. Mycorrhizae of T terrestris and S aurantium were analyzed for polyphosphates, and amended soils were analyzed before planting and after harvest for double-acid extractable Al, Fe, and P. Each fungus changed postharvest extractable P, Fe, and Al differently in the soil amendments. Seedlings colonized with S. aurantium were larger, contained more P, and had a higher degree of mycorrhizal colonization. There was no significant differences in growth among seedlings colonized with the other three fungi, but all colonized seedlings were significantly larger and contained more P than uncolonized seedlings. Soil amendments had no effect on the total levels of mycorrhizal P. Mycorrhizae of S. aurantium increased polyphosphate levels with increasing available P in the soil amendments. The pattern of polyphosphate accumulation in T. terrestris among the soil treatments was less definitive. Accumulation of foliar P was affected by the interaction of soil and mycorrhizal treatments. Control seedlings were P deficient in all soil treatments although foliar P increased as soil P increased. The accumulation of foliar P seemed to reflect the ability of each symbiont to survive, uptake P, and transfer it to the seedling. Seedlings colonized with S. aurantium were P deficient in sand-amended soils, while seedlings colonized with R. roseolus were P deficient in fertilized soils. Seedlings colonized with either P. tinctorius or t. Terrestris increased foliar P with the addition of sand the addition of P. This study indicates that S. aurantium is adapted to Piedmont soils such as the Cecil, is able to extract more of the vast amount of unavailable P present in these soils, and hence stimulate growth and P levels in loblolly pine. / Ph. D.

This work consists of an introduction, six chapters dealing with various aspects of the response of mycorrhizal fungi to copper, and a brief conclusion. The first chapter examines the enzyme tyrosinase in several ectomycorrhizal fungi and shows that its activity is altered in these fungi in response to copper. Polyamines are also examined in this chapter, and it is shown that their levels are altered in some ectomycorrhizal fungi due to copper stress but not in others. The second chapter uses transmission electron microscopy to demonstrate that copper is bound to the hyphae of ectomycorrhizal fungi grown on solid media, but the location of the binding varies between fungal species. In vitro copper tolerances of a number of ectomycorrhizal species are compared in this chapter and differences in tolerance are evident between species and between different isolates of the same species. In the third chapter, four ectomycorrhizal fungi and one nonmycorrhizal fungus are evaluated for their ability to improve the growth of Japanese Red Pine under conditions of copper stress. Improvement of pine seedling growth is not correlated with in vitro copper tolerance of the fungus, but is related to the degree of compatibility between host and fungus. Despite differences in in vitro tolerance between three isolates of the same species, there are no differences in the effect of the isolates on the tree host under conditions of copper stress. Ectomycorrhizal fungi were also inoculated in pairs on pine seedlings and the competitive abilities of the fungi are compared under stressed and nonstressed conditions. The fourth chapter discusses the results of inoculation of pine with a nonhost fungus which stimulates dichotomous branching of the root system. The compound responsible for the branching is demonstrated to be indole-3-acetic acid (IAA), a plant growth hormone. The final two chapters deal with endomycorrhizal fungi. In the first of the two, inoculation of onion with an endomycorrhizal fungus demonstrates that the fungus probably plays no direct role in the response of the plant to heavy metals, based on biomass production, nutrient uptake, and photosynthetic rate. The last chapter demonstrates that the vascular plants found on abandoned mines in Virginia and North Carolina are well colonized by endomycorrhizal fungi; thus, an absence of these fungi is not a reason for the limited natural recolonization of the mine spoils. / Ph. D.

Thesis (M.Sc.)--University of the Witwatersrand, Faculty of Science, School of Botany, 1991 / The vegetation of the Nylsvley Nature Reserve situated in the Northern Transvaal, South Africa. is a semi·arid savanna dominated by Burkea qfricana and Eragrostis paUensf interspersed with patches of Acacia s_pp.and E, ie/t(lnumni(.ma. The Butkea savanna is established on soil which is naturally low in phosphorus while the A,,;acia savanna is established on soU with higber phosphorus levels. Spnres of vesictdar~arbusculat mycorrhizal (VAM) fungi Were extracted from soil samples by wet 8i:¢ving and sucrose ("mttifugation after which they.· were enumerated .and identified. Thirteen VAM species were isolated from the savanna regions. The population was composed of three Gloltlus spp .• four .4cQulosp()ra spp., one .Gigaspora sp., three Scutel!ispora spp. and tWQ species of uncertain identity. Root samples were cleated. and stained with acidic glycerol·tcypan blue and assessed for mycoufMal colonization. Significant positive correlations were indicated. between spore densities ar.d mycorrhizal root infection. The total 81)01:'e popUlation was negntively correlated wiUlavailuble P, organic C, K. Ca. Mg, and pH. ~'tldividual specles differed markedly from the population as a whole in their bltemctions with.,soil facrots, these wem. examined using linear regressions. The VA;M root colonization as assessed b)! the mycorrhizal % WassigIlfijcant!y negativr1v: (forrelated with P white. the frequency % was. negatively correlated. Wilh P and K. .The inter-relatidhs!;tips 'between the d.ifferentVA1\i ,species and enviro~~eiita1 factors were further explored using prinCipal com'ponent ana,lyt;ls. the population structure and the factors affecting the population ate discussed. ..bltemctions with.,soil facrots, these wem. examined using linear regressions. The VA;M root colonization as assessed b)! the mycorrhizal % WassigIlfijcant!y negativr1v: (forrelated with P white. the frequency % was. negatively correlated. Wilh P and K. .The inter-relatidhs!;tips 'between the d.ifferentVA1\i ,species and enviro~~eiita1 factors were further explored using prinCipal com'ponent ana,lyt;ls. the population structure and the factors affecting the population ate discussed. / MN (2017)

Thesis (MSc (Botany and Zoology)--University of Stellenbosch, 2006. / Parts of the West Coast Strandveld and adjacent Succulent Karoo on the arid coast of Namakwaland in the Western Cape of South Africa are subject to surface mining. An understanding of mycorrhizal association of plants in the natural vegetation of this area could contribute to the improvement of post-mining re-vegetation of the area. This study investigated mycorrhizal association of plants in the West Coast Strandveld, and compared mycorrhizal infection rates of soils taken from natural vegetation to soils from post-mined rehabilitated vegetations. The study was divided into two components. In the first component a pot experiment was conducted in the greenhouse to assess vesicular-arbuscular mycorrhiza (AM) infectivity of post-mined rehabilitated areas of Brand se Baai in Namakwa Sands mining areas. Rehabilitated areas used in this study included sites that has been strip mined for heavy minerals and then progressively backfilled with sub-soil sand remaining after mineral extraction (tailings), topsoil and translocated plants in an effort to restore the structure and functional aspects of the mined site to its original (pre-mining) ecosystem. Rehabilitated sites 1 assessed in this study included sites backfilled with: tailings + translocated plants (TP); tailing + topsoil + translocated plants (TSP) and tailings + topsoil only (TS). Natural sites (N) were also assessed to serve as reference points. AM infection was evaluated as percent root colonization on wheat planted as bioassay on sterilised sand and inoculum from rehabilitated sites in the ratio of 3:1 respectively. Results of this study component showed that mycorrhiza infectivity of rehabilitated soils was high on TSP and TS because mining disturbance has been remedied by topsoil with or without translocated plant replacement. The structural and chemical components of topsoil used as rehabilitation material favoured re-establishment of microbial activities. Infectivity was however low on soils rehabilitated with tailings and translocated plants (TP) because this treatment lacked topsoil which is a major source of infective mycorrhizal propagules. Infectivity was also low in soils from undisturbed sites (N) probably high phosphorus concentration or presence of perennial vegetation led to low mycorrhiza infection. Results showed that there was no significant effect of mycorrhiza on plant growth rate, nutrient uptake or carbon cost of mycorrhizal plants when related to non-mycorrhizal plants, instead the biomass production and nutrient contents of plants were determined by chemical properties of treatment soils. The second component of the study investigated presence of mycorrhiza on randomly selected common indigenous species of Aizoaceae, Asparagaceae, Asteraceae, Chenopodiaceae, Fabaceae, Lamiaceae, Mesembryanthemaceae, Restionaceae, families growing on unmined areas of the study site. Total mycorrhiza infection was recorded on 85% of the assessed species with percent infection level ranging from 8% in Atriplex lindleyi and Drosanthemum hispidum to 98% in Salvia lanceolata. Functional mycorrhizal association with arbuscule structures were however only observed on 15% of all species assessed. Low arbuscules infection observed in indigenous species assessed in this study could be associated with the timing of mycorrhiza infection assessment and root competition in the soil. There was no infection observed on four species belonging to Chenopodiaceae, Zygophyllaceae, Sterculiaceae, and Asteraceae families, which represented 15% of all species assessed. Most species belonging to Chenopodiaceae and Zygophyllaceae have been reported as non-mycorrhizal in other studies, absence of mycorrhiza on the remaining three families species observed in this study require further confirmation.

The broad aim of the work described in this thesis was to use the arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) defective rmc tomato to explore the development and function of different types of fungus-plant interfaces (phenotypes) and to characterize the cellular modifications preceding colonization of rmc by a range of different AM fungi. Three main patterns of colonization with rmc have been described: 1) Pen- phenotype in which the AM fungus is restricted to the root surface with several attempts to penetrate the epidermal cells without success; 2) Coiphenotype where AM fungi penetrate the epidermis but cannot develop cortical colonization; and 3) Myc+ phenotype (with G. intraradices WFVAM23), where the AM fungus penetrates the cortex and forms a “normal” colonization after a delayed penetration of the epidermal cells (Review of literature). Little is known about cellular interactions, nutrient transfer or the ability of the fungi to complete their life cycles in the different phenotypes. These aspects were the main foci of this work. In addition further fungal isolates were screened to asses their ability to colonize rmc. The first experiments involved compartmented pots to follow the fungal life cycle, production of external mycelium and spores in the different rmc phenotypes (Chapter 3). The results showed that in the Pen- and Coiphenotypes, AM fungi are unable to form spores to complete the life cycle. However, in the Coi-phenotype, the fungus remained alive up to week 18, suggesting that some C transfer occurred. The fungus forming the Myc+ phenotype, G. intraradices WFVAM23, was able to produce spores, although they were significantly smaller than those produced with the wild-type tomato. The results suggested that arbuscules are essential for completion of the fungal life cycle. Labeled 32P was used to determine whether arbuscules are also essential for P transfer (Chapter 4). A compartmented pot system was used in which only fungal hyphae but not roots could obtain 32P. 32P was found in the shoots of rmc inoculated with S. calospora (Coi- phenotype), indicating that interfaces other than arbuscules can be involved in transfer of P. A nurse pot system was used to obtain synchronized colonization to determine how long AM fungi stay alive during the interactions with rmc and to elucidate the cellular modifications preceding colonization of rmc by a range of different AM fungi (Chapter 5). The results showed that rmc did attract the AM fungi, that the plant nucleus moved to the middle of the plant cell only after fungal penetration of plant roots and that callose deposition in rmc was not involved in blocking the AM fungi. Fourteen AM fungi with different taxonomic affiliations and fourteen different G. intraradices isolates were screened to try to relate phylogeny of AM fungi with phenotypes in rmc (Chapter 6). There were a large number of interactions, depending on the inoculated AM fungi, and although there were some similarities in the rmc phenotypes within phylogenetic groups, there was no clear relationship between phylogeny and development of interactions with rmc. This study showed the following. 1) Arbuscules/arbusculate coils are necessary for the completion of the AM fungal cycle. However, intraradical hyphae also participate in transfer of both P and C as demonstrated with the Coi- phenotype. 2) rmc clearly attracted AM fungi and the fungi stay alive and induce plant cellular responses such as nuclear movement only after penetrating rmc roots. 3) Plant defense responses such as callose deposition are not involved in blocking AM fungi in rmc; and 4) there was no relationship between the phenotypes described in rmc and phylogeny of the Glomeromycota. / http://proxy.library.adelaide.edu.au/login?url= http://library.adelaide.edu.au/cgi-bin/Pwebrecon.cgi?BBID=1292816 / Thesis(Ph.D.)-- School of Earth and Environmental Sciences, 2007.

The work in this thesis aimed to demonstrate the contribution of arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi to the yield and fruit quality of field-grown processing tomatoes, and the potential to increase the sustainability of tomato production through greater fertiliser use efficiency by inoculating tomato seedlings with beneficial AM fungi. Previously, the conclusion that tomato growth is unresponsive to AM colonisation, particularly in high-P soils, has often been based on only a part of the tomato life-cycle. However, there is increasing evidence that that positive AM yield responses can occur in soils with relatively high plant-available P, and that AM responsiveness of tomato during vegetative growth may be a poor predictor of reproductive growth. A preceding industry study found that AM colonisation of field-grown processing tomatoes was very low, mostly less than 5%. The reason for the low colonisation was unclear since previous studies have shown that tomato can become relatively highly colonised by AM fungi. It was not known if farm practices, such as soil cultivation and chemical sterilisation, which have been shown to decrease AM colonisation of tomato and other crops, could have contributed to the low colonisation. Furthermore, it was unclear what contribution AM fungi were making to the yield and fruit quality of tomato in commercial production, and what their potential contribution might be if greater AM colonisation could be achieved through inoculating seedlings. Yield and fruit quality are important to tomato growers as both are used to calculate payment when the fruits are sold. Large amounts of soluble fertilisers, particularly P, are applied during tomato production with the aim of increasing yield and quality. However, fertiliser use efficiency, particularly P, on tomato farms has been identified as being low, and needing to be improved in order to increase the economic and environmental sustainability of tomato farming. Increasing P, and also other nutrients, such as Zn and Ca, in tomatoes could also help to improve agricultural sustainability by alleviating human malnutrition in developing countries and, in the case of Ca, have the potential to reduce blossom end rot, which can severely reduce marketable yield. There is considerable potential for AM fungi to assist in the supply of these nutrients to field-grown tomatoes. AM fungi are widely accepted to increase plant uptake of P. This has mostly been demonstrated in low-P soils, as increases in plant-available P are generally known to be detrimental to AM colonisation and any subsequent growth effects. However, there is increasing evidence of the ability of AM fungi to increase P uptake and yield even in high P soils. There is also good evidence of increased Zn uptake by mycorrhizal supply to plants. Evidence for increased Ca uptake in mycorrhizal plants is in comparison limited and conflicting, but has been demonstrated in some cases. It is possible that AM fungi could allow applications of these nutrients, particularly P, to be reduced while maintaining or increasing fruit yield and quality. However, the ability of indigenous or inoculated AM fungi to do so in the relatively high-P farm soils used in this project was unknown. In order to address these uncertainties a series of pot studies and a field experiment were conducted using field soils from tomato farms and an adjacent nature reserve for comparison. Data on soil characteristics from five farms, collected during the previous industry study, was analysed in conjunction with data from another farm located nearby with contrasting soil properties. Two farm soils and an unfarmed comparison were selected on the basis of their having contrasting levels of P, Zn and Ca, and pH, with the constraint that they were located within 50 km of each other to minimise travel time in the study area. The two farmed soils had a relatively high concentration of plant-available P (103 and 58 mg/kg Colwell), while plant-available P in the unfarmed soil was probably marginal to that required for healthy tomato growth (27 mg/kg Colwell). Samples of the soils were taken soon after commencement of the work and used in pot studies. Firstly, a bioassay was conducted to establish the ability of tomato to become colonised in the three field soils. AM colonisation of tomato and medic, which is known to be highly susceptible to AM colonisation, was compared between three harvests over an approx. 16 week period. Vegetative growth was also measured. The total colonisation of tomato mostly did not differ from that of medic at each harvest in any soil. Furthermore, despite the large differences in plant-available P between the three soils, colonisation and vegetative growth of tomato did not differ between soils at any harvest. In a subsequent pot experiment, the effect of colonisation by AM fungi in the three field soils on the vegetative and reproductive growth, and nutrient status of tomato was determined using the tomato mutant rmc (reduced mycorrhizal colonisation) and its progenitor 76R. A number of non-destructive vegetative and reproductive growth measurements were repeatedly measured over an approx. 24 week period. Destructive measurements were carried out at two harvests, 39 and 164 days after planting. Tomato 76R was again well colonised in all soils. Tomato rmc remained uncolonised, and was therefore an effective non-mycorrhizal control. AM colonisation had little effect on plant growth or nutrient status in any soil at the first harvest, but significant growth and nutrient responses were recorded at the second harvest. In particular, AM colonisation markedly increased vegetative growth in the unfarmed soil. AM colonisation did not affect vegetative growth in either of the farmed soils. However, AM colonisation increased reproductive growth, particularly yield over time, in all soils. AM colonisation increased shoot P concentration and content, but effects on Zn were mixed and largely inconclusive. Shoot Ca concentration and content were mostly reduced by AM colonisation. Similar patterns were observed in fruit nutrient status. The potential of pre-inoculation with AM fungi to increase AM colonisation and/or AM growth and nutrient effects in the field was considered. A commercial AM fungal inoculum was initially proposed for use, but was found to be unreliable and laboratory cultures of Scutellospora calospora and Glomus mosseae were used instead. Tomato seedlings were inoculated by amending a commercial seed-raising medium with an equal mixture of S. calospora and G. mosseae inocula. Seeds of tomato rmc, 76R and the commercial processing tomato cultivar U941 were sown and raised according to the practices followed by a commercial seedling nursery. After 9 weeks a sub-sample of inoculated seedlings of 76R and U941 had become colonised by both AM fungi, although the total colonisation was relatively low (approx. 10%). There was no difference in the shoot or root dry weights between inoculated and non-inoculated seedlings. The remaining seedlings were then used in the field experiment. Seedlings were transplanted amongst a commercial processing tomato crop on two farms and grown to maturity. A substitute farm with soil of moderate P (66 mg/kg Colwell) was used as tomatoes were no longer being grown on the initial farm with moderate P. Two P treatments, ‘normal’ and ‘reduced’ P fertilisation, were imposed in order to investigate the effect of P fertilisation on colonisation by indigenous and inoculated AM fungi, and growth and nutrient status of tomato in the field. Non-destructive growth measurements and soil core samples to assess mycorrhizal colonisation were taken mid-season (approx. 10 weeks after transplanting). Destructive growth measurements and core samples to assess colonisation were taken at harvest (approx. 19 weeks after transplanting). Colonisation of rmc was insubstantial and it again served as an effective non-mycorrhizal control to 76R. Colonisation was insubstantial in all treatments on the farm where soil had moderate plant-available P. On the other farm, where soil had relatively high plant-available P, colonisation of all plants was low mid-season, but was mostly substantial (>20%) in 76R and U941 at harvest. Low colonisation on both farms was probably the result of farming practices, particularly soil cultivation. However, a combination of inoculation and reduced P fertilisation increased colonisation. Colonisation by indigenous AM fungi had no effect on the growth or nutrient status of field grown tomatoes. In contrast, pre-inoculation with AM fungi increased fruit yield by a mean of approx. 40% in 76R and U941. This was the result of an 18% increase in the fresh weight of individual fruits and, when inoculation was combined with reduced P fertilisation, a 21% increase in the number of fruits on each plant. The increase in the number of fruits on each plant was associated with an increase in the number of flowers at the most advanced growth stage. Inoculation also increased vegetative growth, and fruit P, Zn and Ca contents. A small (4%) decrease in fruit brix was more than offset by increased yield. This study has shown that while AM fungi indigenous to tomato farm soils have the ability to substantially colonise tomato, they appear to have little effect on tomato growth, yield or nutrition in the field. In contrast, inoculation of tomato seedlings with mutualistic AM fungi during nursery production can substantially increase the growth, yield and fruit nutrient contents of field-grown tomatoes under commercial conditions. This increase could also be enhanced by a reduction in P fertilisation. Increased yield and fruit nutrient contents, and decreased P fertilisation neatly address the aims of increased agricultural sustainability. Incorporating pre-inoculation of tomato into existing farming practices has a potential to increase the productivity and sustainability of processing tomato production worldwide. / http://proxy.library.adelaide.edu.au/login?url= http://library.adelaide.edu.au/cgi-bin/Pwebrecon.cgi?BBID=1292847 / Thesis (Ph.D.) -- University of Adelaide, School of Earth and Environmental Sciences, 2007

Graduation date: 1992

No description available.

Thesis (MScAgric (Agronomy))--University of Stellenbosch, 2010. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: See full text for the abstract / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Sien volteks vir opsomming

Thesis (MSc)--University of Stellenbosch, 2004. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) C-costs in grapevines were investigated. Since both dormant vines and AM colonisation rely on stored C for initial growth, AM colonisation costs would therefore compete with plant growth for available C reserves. The aims of this study were to assess the host C economy during AM development and the subsequent C-costs of N and P uptake, as well as the effects of C costs on host growth. This was evaluated in two separate experiments; one assessing the symbiotic influence on the C costs of fungal establishment and nutritional benefits, whilst the other one evaluated the effects of the symbiosis on host growth and nutrient productivities. This study has shown that AM acts as a C sink, competing with the host for available C. Past work on the AM sink effect has focused mainly on the movement of photosynthetic C below ground to support the AM fungus. This however, does not take into account the effect that stored C will have on the C economy of the plant and symbiosis. The role of stored C becomes even more crucial when working with deciduous plants that rely on stored C for new growth at start of a growing season. It has been reported that stored C in AM plants is remobilized at the start of a growing season and then the C reserves are refilled towards the end of the season, when the plants enter dormancy. The initial costs of AM fungal colonisation were borne by the above-ground C reserves, at the expense of new growth in host plants. These costs were offset once the plateau phase was reached, and the depleted reserves started to refill. Once established, the active symbiosis imposed a considerable below ground C sink on host reserves. In spite of these costs, the improved P nutrition of AM roots was achieved with a more efficient C-use. This concurs with other findings, that of the belowground C allocated to AM roots, a greater part is used by AM respiration and a smaller part for P uptake. The C costs of the AM fungal phase of rapid development can be seen as negative to root growth and shoot development. These negative effects may continue for a period of time, even during the plateau phase of fungal development. Once the AM symbiosis is fully established, the host growth and development is then improved to a greater extent than in non-AM plants. From this study it can be concluded that AM growth directly competes with host development, but the symbionts revert to a beneficial partnership once it is fully established. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Die C koste van arbuskulêre mikorisa (AM) in wingerdstokke is ondersoek. Beide rustende wingerdstokke en AM koloniseering is afhanklik van gestoorde C vir aanvanklike groei. AM kolonisering sou dus met plantgroei kompeteer vir beskikbare C reserwes. Die doelstellings van hierdie ondersoek was eerstens om die C-ekonomie van die gasheer tydens AM ontwikkeling en die gevolglike Ckostes van N en P opname te bepaal en tweedens sowel as die invloed van C veranderings op gasheergroei vas te stel. Hierdie is in twee afsonderlike eksperimente ondersoek: een om die simbiotiese invloed op die C-kostes van swam-vestiging en voedingsvoordele te bepaal, terwyl die ander die uitwerking van simbiose op gasheergroei en voedings doeltreffenheid evalueer het. Die ondersoek het bewys dat AM, as ‘n C-sink, kompeteer met die gasheer vir beskikbare C. Vorige werk oor die AM sink-effek het hoofsaaklik gefokus op die afwaartse beweging van fotosintetiese C om die AM-swam ondergronds te ondersteun. Die werk neem egter nie in ag wat die effek van gestoorde C op die C-ekonomie van die plant en simbiose sou wees nie. Die rol van gestoorde C is selfs nog meer belangrik wanneer met bladwisselende plante gewerk word, omdat sulke plante op gestoorde-C vir nuwe groei aan die begin van die groeiseisoen staatmaak. Dit is op rekord dat gestoorde C in bladwisselende plante by aanvang van die groeiseisoen gemobiliseer word en dat die C-reserwes teen die einde van die seisoen wanneer die plante rustyd nader, weer hervul word. Die aanvanklike kostes van AM kolonisering is deur die bogronds C-reserwes, ten koste van nuwe groei van die gasheerplante, gedra. Hierdie kostes herstel sodra die plato-fase bereik is, waar die uitgeputte reserwes begin hervul het. As die aktiewe simbiose eers gevestig is, sal dit as ‘n onderg P-voeding van AM wortels verkry wordrondse C-sink vir gasheer optree.Hierdie C verbruik word egter as doeltreffend beskou aangesien verbeterde. Dit is bekend dat ‘n groter deel van die ondergrondse C geallokeer word aan AM-wortels, deur middel van AM respirasie en P-opname. Die C-kostes van die AM-fungus tydens die fase van vinnige ontwikkeling, kan ‘n negatiewe effek op wortel- en lootontwikkeling hê. Hierdie negatiewe uitwerking kan vir ‘n tydperk voortdeur, selfs gedurende die plato-fase van fungi-ontwikkeling. Sodra die AM-simbiose volledig gevestig is, word gasheergroei en ontwikkeling tot ‘n groter mate verbeter as in plante sonder AM-fungi. Hierdie ondersoek het bewys dat AM groei direk met gasheerontwikkeling kompeteer, maar dat die simbiose ‘n voordelige vennootskap vorm sodra dit volledig gevestig is.