Effect of mycorrhizal inoculation and activated charcoal on growth and nutrition in peach (Prunus persica Batsch) seedlings treated with peach root-bark extracts

Abstract

The effect of arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) inoculation and activated charcoal on growth and nutrition in peach seedlings treated with peach root-bark extracts was studied under greenhouse conditions. Peach root-bark extracts significantly inhibited growth in both mycorrhizal and non-mycorrhizal seedlings, although mycorrhizal seedlings demonstrated better growth and biomass yield. Activated charcoal slightly alleviated the negative effects of root-bark extract treatment but reduced the benefits derived from mycorrhizal symbiosis. The initiation of mycorrhizal symbiosis may be delayed by activated charcoal through the adsorption of signal chemicals from host plants. Generally, mycorrhizal seedlings had better P and Ca nutrition. There were no differences in mycorrhizal infection among the inoculated plants, but there was increased sporulation in root-bark extract treatments without activated charcoal. These results suggest that activated charcoal should be applied after mycorrhizal symbiosis has been established.