Utilization of insoluble phosphate by Larix gmelini seedlings under phosphorus starvation]

The utilization of insoluble phosphate by 2 years old larch(Larix gmelini) seedlings was studied in greenhouse. The seedlings were grown in sand and AlPO4 was supplied as a source of P. The results showed that larch seedlings could utilize some amount of AlPO4. Supplied with AlPO4 but not incubated with mycorrhizal-fungi, the seedlings could absorb 35.1% and 64.9% of the phosphorus uptake when supplied with soluble phosphate. The effects of various mycorrhizal-fungi on utilization of phosphate were different, i.e., the utilization rate of AlPO4 was higher when incubated with Suillus granulatus, but was similar to control when incubated with Suillus grevillei. The proportion of root/crown became higher under P-starvation, and larch seedlings could gain more P by enlarging their root growth.