Summary
This meta-analysis, published in Soil Biology & Biochemistry, synthesises evidence from multiple experimental studies to evaluate the influence of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi on zinc nutrition in crop plants. The analysis likely finds a positive overall effect of AMF colonisation on plant zinc uptake, though effect sizes may vary depending on soil zinc status, crop species, and AMF identity. The paper contributes quantitative evidence to the debate around biological approaches to improving micronutrient density in crops.
UK applicability
Although the meta-analysis draws on global literature, the findings are broadly applicable to UK arable and horticultural systems where soil zinc deficiency and mycorrhizal management are relevant considerations, particularly in the context of reducing synthetic fertiliser inputs and improving crop micronutrient content.
Key measures
Plant zinc concentration (mg/kg dry weight); mycorrhizal effect size (Hedges' d or response ratio); shoot and root zinc content
Outcomes reported
The study quantified the effect of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) inoculation or colonisation on zinc concentrations in crop plant tissues. It synthesised effect sizes across multiple studies to assess whether AMF consistently enhance zinc uptake in crops.
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