Program/Event
Arts and Research Showcase 2024
Abstract
Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) are fungal species that form beneficial relationships with plants. AMFs are known to help crops acquire important nutrients like nitrogen and phosphorus in the soil, and in return the plants provide carbon to the fungi. At least 80% of all plants partner with AMFs including staple crops such as rice, corn, wheat and soybeans. With so many plants likely relying on AMFs, current farming practices such as planting in monocultures and fallow overwintering may limit these relationships. On top of this, climate change challenges the reliability of these practices in the future. One sustainable agricultural practice relies on the application of cover crops, which are plants grown in off seasons intended to protect fields from soil erosion and loss of nutrients, among other benefits. Previous research has yet to investigate how cover crops and AMF interact to improve field conditions for crops. Here we examined how multispecies mixes of cover crops interacted with multiple strains of AMF to effect cover crop growth in a greenhouse experiment. While efforts to identify AMF inoculation uptake within each cover crop species is still underway, we found large differences in total productivity of cover crop species in response to different suites of AMF strains. Understanding AMFs’ impact on plant ecosystems can support ongoing efforts to create more sustainable methods for agriculture.
Recommended Citation
Zanartu, Isabel M.; Morozumi, Connor; and Christian, Natalie
(2024)
"Investigating arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi-cover crop interactions to improve sustainable agricultural practices,"
The Cardinal Edge: Vol. 2:
Iss.
2, Article 18.
Available at:
https://ir.library.louisville.edu/tce/vol2/iss2/18
Included in
Agricultural Science Commons, Agronomy and Crop Sciences Commons, Environmental Microbiology and Microbial Ecology Commons, Laboratory and Basic Science Research Commons
