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Arbuscular Mycorrhiza Fungi Reduce Photosystem II Efficiency in Phosphorus-Deficient Maize Without Promoting Growth
Luqman Dau1, Arunee Wongkaew1, Wannasiri Wannarat1
1Department of Agronomy, Faculty of Agriculture, Kasetsart University, 50 Ngamwongwan Road, Lat Yao, Chatuchak, Bangkok 10900, Thailand.
Plants (Basel, Switzerland)
|July 28, 2026
Summary
Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) reduce photosynthetic efficiency in phosphorus-deficient maize without improving growth. Phosphorus deficiency, not AMF, primarily determines photosynthetic efficiency in early maize.
Area of Science:
- Plant Physiology
- Agricultural Science
- Mycology
Background:
- Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) often enhance plant photosynthetic efficiency, particularly under phosphorus (P) deficiency.
- The impact of AMF on maize photosynthesis under combined phosphorus and zinc deficiency is not well understood.
- Investigating AMF's role in early-stage maize photosynthesis and growth under nutrient stress is crucial for crop optimization.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine if AMF can restore photosynthetic efficiency in early-stage maize under combined phosphorus and zinc deficiency.
- To analyze how AMF influence the relationship between photosynthetic efficiency and growth rate in maize.
- To identify the primary drivers of photosynthetic efficiency and growth rate in maize under varying nutrient conditions.
Main Methods:
- Maize (Zea mays) grown in sand culture with five nutrient treatments (including -Zn-P) and with/without AMF.
- Measurements included chlorophyll fluorescence, stomatal conductance, and growth parameters.
- Variance partitioning (LMG) and piecewise structural equation modeling (SEM) were used to analyze relationships.
Main Results:
- AMF reduced quantum efficiency of photosystem II (ΦPSII) by up to 30.8% in P-deficient treatments.
- AMF did not significantly affect net assimilation rate (NAR), leaf area ratio (LAR), or relative growth rate (RGR).
- Phosphorus deficiency was the main determinant of ΦPSII; AMF exacerbated the negative impact of -Zn-P on ΦPSII.
Conclusions:
- AMF reduce photochemical efficiency under phosphorus deficiency without providing a growth benefit in early vegetative maize.
- Phosphorus availability is the primary factor controlling photosynthetic efficiency (ΦPSII) in maize.
- AMF do not compensate for reduced photosynthetic efficiency under combined P and Zn deficiency, and can worsen the impact of combined deficiency on ΦPSII.
Keywords:
arbuscular mycorrhiza fungileaf area rationet assimilation ratephosphorus deficiencyphotosystem IIrelative growth rateMore Related Videos
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