VARIABILITY AMONG PEA VARIETIES FOR INFECTION WITH ARBUSCULAR MYCORRHIZAL FUNGI

The variability among 16 pea varieties for infection with arbuscular m ycorrhizal fungi (AMF) was investigated. AMF-inoculated peas were grow n in the greenhouse and nitrogen in actively growing leaves was determ ined. Shoot and pod dry matter production and contents of phosphorus a nd nitrogen, root lengths and AMF-root infections were determined. The degree of infections differed between varieties. The varieties 'Filby ' (leafless), 'Maro','Vreta' and 'Sv. C 401 29' with weak/middle root lengths showed high mycorrhizal infection. A negative relationship exi sted between infection frequency and root lengths. Nitrogen uptake was improved in eight cultivars by AMF during early plant development. Th e nitrogen contents of older plants, at early ripening stage, did not differ between AMF-infected of uninfected plants. No cultivar differen ces either in early uptake of phosphorus or pod content of phosphorus at early ripening stage were seen between AMF-infected of uninfected p lants. Phosphorus uptake in shoots at early ripening was increased by AMF infections in eight varieties. No relationship existed between AMF infection frequencies and total nitrogen/phosphorus plant uptake. The above-ground dry matter production was increased in four varieties wh en AMF-infected.