Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi increase both concentrations and bioavilability of Zn in wheat (Triticum aestivum L) grain on Zn-spiked soils

Although winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L) are commonly colonized by arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) under field conditions, the effects and related mechanisms of the fungi on concentrations and bioavailability of Zn in grain is still unclear. A pot trial was done to survey the influence of two species of AMF (Funneliformis mosseae BGC HEB02 and Rhizophagus intraradices BGC HEB07D) on grain yield, concentrations of phytic acid and Zn in winter wheat (T. aestivum cv. Xiaoyan22) in Zn-spiked soils under two levels of P application. The present study showed that mycorrhizal inoculation apparently improved P nutrition in wheat and significantly (p < 0.01) increased grain yield, especially under low soil P conditions. Increasing levels of P and Zn in soils significantly (p < 0.01) enhanced phytic acid concentrations in wheat grain, while inoculation of AM fungi had insignificant effect on grain phytic acid concentrations. Grain Zn concentrations under the mycorrhizal treatments were 1.13-2.76 times of those without inoculation, especially for R. intraradices. The present study revealed that concentrations and bioavailability of Zn in wheat grain can be significantly increased by inoculation of AMF, indicating the potential of AMF to cope with Zn deficiency for residents living on wheat as their staple food.