Under sterilized and non-sterilized soil conditions, mycorrhizal dependency in citrus plants depends on phosphorus fertilization rather than zinc application

The soils of the cukurova Region (Eastern Mediterranean coast of Turkey) have high clay, Oland lime content; consequently, crop production is limited as zinc (Zn) and phosphorus (P) deficiency are common problems in citrus plantations. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of a single selected arbuscular mycorrhiza (AM) and indigenous mycorrhizae (IM) inoculations, using sterile and non-sterile soils, and the application of P and Zn doses on the growth and nutrient uptake of sour orange (Citrus aurantium L.) seedlings. Experiments were performed under greenhouse conditions using a Canakci soil series (Typic xerofluvent) over 8 months. Rhizoglomus clarum was used as the arbuscular mycorrhizae fungus at a level of 1000 spores per plant. Different P (0 and 200 mg kg(-1) P2O5) and Zn (0, 2.5, 5 mg kg(-1) Zn) rates were applied at the beginning of the experiment.