Effects of vesicular‐arbuscular mycorrhizas and phosphorus on water status and growth of apple

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Abstract
Apple (Malus hupehensis Rehd) seedlings were grown in sterilized and non‐sterilized soil with or without phosphorus (P) added and inoculated by VA mycorrhizal (VAM) fungi (Glomus versifome Daniels et Tappe and Glomus macrocarpum Tul et Tul). In sterilized soil, the VAM infection increased the transpiration rate (Tr.) of the leaves, reduced the stomatal resistance (Sr.) and the permanent wilting percentage (PWP) and enhanced the rate of recovery of the plant from the water stress and the plant growth (e.g. leaf number, stem diameter and dry weight). It also increased absorption of most minerals, especially Zn and Cu by the roots and weakened the P‐Cu and P‐Zn interactions. Phosphorus fertilization had some positive effects on the water status, P nutrition and growth, but it reduced the Cu concentration. VAM improved the water status and enhanced drought tolerance of the trees by enhancing absorption and translocation of water by the external hyphae. The efficiency of inoculation in nonsterile soil was not obvious.