Effects of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi on zinc uptake, translocation and accumulation in winter wheat during whole plant growth stages

Although arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) could play important roles in zinc (Zn) uptake in host plants, the effects of AMF on Zn uptake and transport in winter wheat during the whole growth stages remain unclear. A pot experiment was conducted to investigate the effects of Funneliformis mosseae (Fm) and Claroideoglomus etunicatum (Ce) on Zn absorption, transport, and accumulation in winter wheat growing in soils spiked with different Zn levels (0, 2.5, and 25 mg kg⁻¹). The results showed that there was a significant correlation between mycorrhizal colonization rate and Zn absorption efficiency in winter wheat roots during the post-anthesis period, but there was no significant correlation during the pre-anthesis period. Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi significantly increased Zn concentrations (0.56–1.58 times) in wheat grains under 0 mg kg⁻¹ Zn level, but decreased Zn concentrations in wheat grains under 25 mg kg⁻¹ Zn level. Additionally, at the filling and maturity stages, AMF increased Zn absorption rate and the contribution of root Zn uptake to grain Zn by 3–14 and 0.36–0.64 times, respectively, under 0 mg kg⁻¹ Zn level and 0.21–1.02 and 0.27–0.37 times, respectively, under 2.5 mg kg⁻¹ Zn level. However, AMF decreased root Zn absorption rate (0.32–0.61 times) and increased the contribution of Zn remobilization in vegetative tissues to grain Zn (1.69–2.01 times) under 25 mg kg⁻¹ Zn level. This study would complement the mechanisms and effects of AMF on Zn absorption and transport in winter wheat and provide a potential method for the application of AMF to enrich wheat grain Zn.