Mixed Growth with Weeds Promotes Mycorrhizal Colonization and Increases the Plant-Availability of Phosphorus under Maize (Zea mays L.)

(1) Background: Weed control decreases the competition for nutrients, but also potential of increased phosphorus (P) mobilization in soils caused by higher plant diversity. (2) Methods: Impacts weed species under maize on mycorrhizal colonization and plant-availability P were investigated two pot experiments. Plant traits tested weed-free mixed growth with six annual species. (3) Results: Growth decreased treatments weeds, while concentrations its shoots C. album, E. crus-galli P. convolvulus. Mycorrhizal without weeds was low (<20% root length), V. arvensis up to 40%. The activities Pmobilizing hydrolytic enzymes (phosphatases, ß-glucosidase) occasionally weeds. dimension impacts cycling differed significantly between both (4) Conclusions: Weeds potentially promote maize, this impact is not guaranteed. weed-based improved supply should be defined field conditions allow a controlled tolerance cropping systems.