Phosphodiesters as mycorrhizal P sources .2. Ericoid mycorrhiza and the utilization of nuclei as a phosphorus and nitrogen source by Vaccinium macrocarpon

Mycorrhizal plants of Vaccinium macrocarpon Aiton used nuclei from salmon sperm as a sole source of phosphorus (P) and achieved similar yields, P content and P concentration to plants grown with orthophosphate. Mycorrhizal infection significantly increased the effectiveness of utilization of both inorganic and organic (nuclei) sources of P by Vaccinium but in the case of the organic source this involved providing access to P which was completely unavailable to the uninfected plants. The results provide further support for the view that ericoid mycorrhizas have a crucial role in direct recycling of nutrients from organic matter, independent of the mineralizing activities of saprotrophic micro-organisms.