Summary
Few rushes and sedges were infected by endomycorrhizal fungi in the field, and many of the infections which were formed were mainly of mycelium in the rhizosphere with only occasional lodgements in epidermal cells. In a pot experiment using a soil of very low P availability, rushes and sedges remained non-mycorrhizal and yet produced more shoot dry matter than mycorrhizal Poa colensoi (Graminae). Rushes and sedges had much longer root systems than non-mycorrhizal Poa colensoi, but comparable shoot P concentrations. I suggest that they have evolved extensive and finely branched root systems rather than the mycorrhizal habit for extracting P from infertile soils. In pot experiments, they differ from mycotrophic angiosperms in rejecting mycorrhizal infection, even if suffering P deficiency. re]19740401
Article PDF
Avoid common mistakes on your manuscript.
References
Baylis, G. T. S., New Phytol. 66, 231–243 (1967).
Crush, J. R., New Phytol. 72, 965–974 (1973).
Daft, M. J. and Nicholson, T. H., New Phytol. 68, 945–952 (1969).
Gerdemann, J. W., Ann. Rev. Phytopathol. 6, 397–418 (1968).
Greenall, J. M., New Zealand J. Botany 1, 389–400 (1963).
McNabb, R. F. R., The Mycorrhizas of some New Zealand plants, MSc. Thesis, University of Otago, 89 pp (1958).
Mosse, B., New Phytol. 72, 127–136 (1973).
Mosse, B. and Bowen, G. D., Trans. Brit. Mycol. Soc. 51, 469–481 (1968).
Newmann, E. I., J. Applied Ecol. 3, 139–145 (1966).
Nye, P. H., Plant and Soil 25, 81–105 (1966).
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Powell, C.L. Rushes and sedges are non-mycotrophic. Plant Soil 42, 481–484 (1975). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00010023
Received:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00010023