The bioprotective effect of AM root colonization against the soil-borne fungal pathogen Gaeumannomyces graminis var. tritici in barley depends on the barley variety

The systemic effect of root colonization by the arbuscular mycorrhizal fungus (AMF) Glomus mosseae on the susceptibility of old and modern barley varieties to the soil-borne fungal pathogen Gaeumannomyces graminis var. tritici (Ggt) was studied in a split-root system. Plants were precolonized on one side of the split-root system with the AMF and thereafter the other side of the split-root system was inoculated with the pathogen. At the end of the experiment the level of bioprotection was estimated by quantifying lesioned roots and the determination of the root fresh weight. AM root colonization provided protection in some of the barley genotypes tested, but not in others. This protective effect seemed to vary in the oldest and the most modern barley variety tested.

Research highlights
► AM fungi colonize old and modern barley varieties to a similar degree.
► Barley varieties show a differing susceptibility to take-all disease.
► Mycorrhization provides bioprotection in some of the barley genotypes tested, but not in others.
► This bioprotective effect seemed to vary in the oldest and the most modern barley variety tested.