Co-Authors:
LEVY, Y., University of Florida, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, Agricultural Research and Education Center, Lake Alfred, Florida, 33850, United States
SYVERTSEN, J.P., University of Florida, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, Agricultural Research and Education Center, Lake Alfred, Florida, 33850, United States
NEMEC, S., Agricultural Research, Science and Education Administratio, US Department of Agriculture, Orlando, Florida, 32803, United States
Abstract:
Infection of rough lemon seedlings (Citrusjambhiri Lush) by the vesicular–arbuscular mycorrhizal (VAM) fungus, Glomus intraradices (Schenck and Smith), increased root growth and transpiration rate and reduced leaf water potentials relative to non‐infected control plants. Half of the VAM and control plants were subjected to three drying cycles each of 5 to 7 days. The hydraulic conductivity of previously drought stressed root systems was lower than that of the well‐watered plants and VAM infection further reduced root conductivity. These data suggest that the higher root densities and higher transpiration rates of VAM infected plants may have depleted soil water more quickly than the non‐infected seedlings and resulted in more severe water stress conditions during drought cycles. Copyright © 1983, Wiley Blackwell. All rights reserved