Survival and Growth of Seedlings of Coachwood (Ceratopetalum apetalum): Effects of Shade, Mycorrhizas and a Companion Plant

Abstract

In an exploratory experiment, seedlings of coachwood (Ceratopetalum apetalum D. Don, Cunoniaceae) were grown for 6 weeks in a glasshouse in pots in the presence or absence of the following: (1) inoculum of Glomus mosseae (Nicol. & Gerd.) Gerd. & Trappe; (2) a companion plant (Trifolium pratense L.); (3) phosphate added to the soil; and (4) shade. Mycorrhizal seedlings of coachwood were lighter than non-mycorrhizal seedlings when grown in full sun. In shade, mycorrhizal seedlings of coachwood tended to be heavier when grown with a companion plant than without. Size of seedlings was not related to phosphate nutrition. It is suggested that mycorrhizal interconnections between plants may be involved in significant movement of organic carbon to and from coachwood seedlings.