Symbiosis between three arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi and three host plants

[Objective] In order to establish an efficient arbuscular mycorrhiza (AM) fungi propagation system, three AM fungi were selected to test their compatibility with three different host plants and the effects of planting modes on fungal propagation. [Methods] Three selected AM fungi (Acaulospora laevis, Glomus monosporum and G. intraradices) were used to inoculate three crop species, namely maize (Zea may L., C4 broad-leaf plant), sorghum (Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench, C4 narrow-leaf plant) and white clover (Trifolium repens L., C3 plant). The three crops were planted as intercropping or monocropping modes. [Results] The aboveground biomasses of the host plants and their rhizosphere AM fungi spore density in the intercropping mode of the three crop species were significantly higher than those in monocropping mode, respectively (P<0.05). The aboveground biomass of maize was not significantly affected by the AM fungal species regardless planting modes (P>0.05), while reduced aboveground biomass was observed in sorghum under intercropping mode inoculated with G. monosporum or G. intraradices, respectively (P<0.05). The aboveground biomass of intercropped white clover was significantly improved by the inoculation of G. intraradices (P<0.05). [Conclusion] Our studies suggest that host preference of the three AM fungi and their host plants exists, and the possible so-called “symbiotic complementary functions” between the tested C3 and C4 plants to AM fungi could be used for AM fungi propagation and their potential applications in crop production.