Preinoculation with VA mycorrhizal fungi increases plant tolerance to soil salinity
Date
2000-06
Authors
Cantrell, Isabella C., author
Linderman, Robert G., author
U.S. Committee on Irrigation and Drainage, publisher
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Abstract
The loss of land for the production of agricultural crops due to salinity is a major problem worldwide. The means to deal with saline soils by the development of salt-tolerant crops, by leaching, or by using desalinized water are not feasible for many developing areas of the world. VA mycorrhizae (VAM) are known to alleviate salt stress on plants, but a practical method to establish them has not been developed. Preinoculation of lettuce or onion plants with mixtures of VAM fungi cultured from saline or nonsaline soils before transplant into sodic soils was shown to be an effective means of increasing plant tolerance to salt toxicity. This method could be practical for farmers needing to grow crops on saline soils.
Description
Presented at the 2000 USCID international conference, Challenges facing irrigation and drainage in the new millennium on June 20-24 in Fort Collins, Colorado.