Epsilon Archive for Student Projects

Abstract

Blueberry plants and fungi form root symbioses, ericoid mycorrhizas, which can enhance plant growth, increase yields and possibly facilitate the transition to organic production and reduce the use of mineral nitrogen fertilizers. The outcome of this symbiosis depends on several factors such as nitrogen fertilizer dose and soil amendments, e.g. sawdust. The present project examined root samples from three blueberry cultivars, inoculated with ericoid mycorrhizal products, given two different doses of nitrogen, and grown in a substrate with or without amendment with sawdust from spruce, for mycorrhizal root colonization. Main effects show that the lower dose of N resulted in higher levels of colonization by ericoid mycorrhiza and so did the treatment with a substrate without amendment with sawdust. The interaction also showed that the treatment with the low nitrogen dose and a substrate without amendment showed higher colonization levels in comparison with any other combination of treatments, suggesting a negative synergistic effect. Multiple reasons for these decreases in colonization levels will be discussed.