Phosphorus stress strongly reduced plant physiological activity, but only temporarily, in a mesocosm experiment with <i>Zea mays</i> colonized by arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi

Abstract. Phosphorus (P) is an essential macronutrient for plant growth and one of the least available nutrients in soil. P limitation often a major constraint globally. Although addition experiments have been carried out to study long-term effects on yield, data seasonal variation leaf-level photosynthesis are scarce. Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) can be importance nutrient uptake, AMF may important explaining temporal patterns leaf physiology. In nitrogen (N) fertilization experiment with Zea mays, we investigated effect pigments enzymes, how these relate photosynthesis, relationships change during growing season. A previous this indicated that N availability was generally high, as consequence, did not affect growth, also measurements current were unaffected by addition. Contrary addition, strongly influenced measurements. At low soil availability, photosynthetic respiratory activity decreased, associated reduced chlorophyll enzymes. expected increase stress over time following gradual depletion, decreased time. For most processes, enzymes under study, had even disappeared 2 months after planting. Our results point towards key role symbiosis consequent uptake vanishing stress.