Effect of mycorrhiza on yield and quality of lettuce grown on medium with different levels of phosphorus and selenium

Authors

• Iwona Kowalska University of Agriculture in Krakow, Poland
• Anna Konieczny University of Agriculture in Krakow, Poland

DOI: https://doi.org/10.23986/afsci.78169

Keywords:

mineral composition, biofortification, symbiosis

Abstract

Lettuce plants were grown in the foil tunnel in pots filled with peat substrate. The experimental factors were: concentration of phosphorus in the substrate (70 or 140 mg dm^-3), inoculation of substrate with arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (+AMF or –AMF) and concentration of selenium in the substrate (0, 6 or 12 mg dm^-3). Mycorrhizal frequency in roots was affected by concentration of P, inoculation with AMF and interaction between these factors. Higher mycorrhizal frequency was found in plants inoculated with AMF and grown under conditions of lower P concentration. AMF did not affect an accumulation of Se in leaves. However, higher concentration of P and Se in the substrate affected Se concentration in leaves. The average yield of lettuce decreased with increasing level of Se in the substrate. The presence of Se in the substrate led to decrease of K, Mg, Fe, Cu and Mn content of plants. AMF did not have an effect on the content of sugars in leaves.