Effects of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi on uptake, translocation and accumulation of Zn in winter wheat during whole plant growth stages

Although arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) could play important roles in zinc (Zn) uptake in host plants, the effects of AMF on Zn uptake and transport in winter wheat during the whole growth stage remain unclear. A pot experiment was conducted to investigate the effects of Funneliformis mosseae (Fm) and Claroideoglomus etunicatum (Ce) on Zn absorption, transport, and accumulation in winter wheat under different Zn levels (0, 2.5, and 25 mg kg–1) in soils. This study showed that there was a significant correlation between mycorrhizal colonization rate and Zn absorption efficiency in winter wheat roots during the post-anthesis period, but there was no significant correlation during the pre-anthesis period. AMF significantly increased Zn concentrations (0.64–0.81 times) in wheat grains under 0 mg kg-1 Zn level, but decreased Zn concentrations in wheat grains under 25 mg kg-1 Zn level. Additionally, under 0 and 2.5 mg kg–1 Zn treatments, AMF increased Zn absorption rate (3.3–14, 0.21–1.02 times) in roots at filling and maturity stages and the contribution of root Zn uptake (0.36–0.64, 0.27–0.37 times) to grain Zn. However, AMF decreased root Zn absorption rate (0.32–0.61 times) and increased the contribution of Zn remobilization (1.69–2.01 times) in vegetative tissues to grain Zn under 25 mg kg–1 Zn treatment. The present results would complement the mechanisms and effects of AMF on Zn absorption and transport in winter wheat and provide a potential method for the application of AMF to wheat grain Zn enrichment.