Effects of Benomyl and Drought on the Mycorrhizal Development and Daily Net CO₂ Uptake of a Wild Platyopuntia in a Rocky Semi-arid Environment

Authors: E. Pimienta-Barrios¹; M.E. Gonzalez Del Castillo-Aranda¹; A. MUÑOZ-URIAS¹; P.S. Nobel²

Source: Annals of Botany, Volume 92, Number 2, August 2003 , pp. 239-245(7)

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Abstract:

The effects of drought and the fungicide benomyl on a wild platyopuntia, Opuntia robusta Wendl., growing in a rocky semi-arid environment were assessed. Cladode phosphorus content, cladode water potential and daily net CO₂ uptake were measured monthly in 2000 and 2001 before, during and after the summer rainy period. During 2000, the formation of new roots and new cladodes was severely suppressed in response to a prolonged drought, impairing the development of the symbiotic relationship between the arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi and the roots. Hence no effect of benomyl application was observed on daily carbon assimilation by this Crassulacean acid metabolism plant. During 2001, drought was interrupted, and new cladodes and roots were formed in response to rainfall. Benomyl was highly effective in suppressing root colonization by AM-fungi; however, daily C assimilation was reduced by benomyl application only in October. Thus, the inhibition of AM-fungal colonization by benomyl did not affect photosynthesis, water uptake and P uptake under prolonged drought.

Keywords: Key words: Arbuscular mycorrhizae; benomyl; CO2 uptake; drought; Opuntia robusta Wendl.; phosphorus; rocky environment.

Document Type: Original article

Affiliations: 1: Departamento de Ecología, Centro Universitario de Ciencias Biológicas y Agropecuarias, Universidad de Guadalajara, 45110 Zapopan, Jalisco, México and 2: Department of Organismic Biology, Ecology, and Evolution, University of California, Los Angeles, CA 90095-1606, USA

Publication date: 2003-08-01

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Annals of Botany is an international plant science journal with editorial offices in Australia, China, Japan, Mainland Europe, UK and USA. It is published monthly in both electronic and printed forms with at least one extra issue each year that focuses on a particular theme in plant biology. The Journal is managed by the Annals of Botany Company, a not-for-profit educational charity established to promote plant science worldwide.