Summary
This field study examined whether arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi seed treatments enhance rice growth, yield, and tolerance to rice water weevil herbivory across four growing seasons. Whilst AM inoculation consistently increased root colonisation and plant biomass, and produced non-significant yield increases, it unexpectedly increased pest densities (weevil larvae and stemborer whiteheads) and did not reduce proportional yield losses from herbivory. The findings suggest AM fungi may enhance plant biomass production but do not confer pest tolerance benefits in this rice-weevil system, with nutrient effects inconsistent across treatments.
Regional applicability
Direct applicability is limited, as rice is not a UK arable crop and field conditions differ substantially. However, the methodological approach and mechanisms of AM fungi effects on cereal crop tolerance to arthropod pests may inform research on mycorrhizal inoculation in UK-grown cereals and the relationship between soil biology and integrated pest management.
Key measures
Root colonisation rates, weevil larval density, whitehead incidence, plant biomass (pre- and post-flooding), grain yield, percent yield loss after herbivory, nutrient concentrations in roots and shoots
Outcomes reported
The study measured root colonisation by AM fungi, densities of rice water weevil larvae and stemborer-induced whiteheads, plant biomass, grain yield, and nutrient content in roots and shoots across four field experiments. Effects of AM fungi inoculation on plant tolerance to herbivory injury were assessed through yield loss analysis.
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