Aptitude for mycorrhizal root colonization in Prunus rootstocks

Eighteen Prunus rootstock cultivars were inoculated with three arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi under greenhouse conditions in order to evaluate their affinity for mycorrhizal colonization. The rootstocks were peach–almond hybrids, peaches, plums and cherries of Spanish, French and Italian origin. Mycorrhizal colonization was low in plants inoculated with Glomus mosseae (Nicol. and Gerd.) Gerdemann and Trappe, and Glomus etunicatum Becker and Gerdemann. In contrast, Glomus intraradices Schenck and Smith, proved to be the most infective endophyte, achieving the highest mycorrhizal colonization rate in most of the rootstocks evaluated. Species of Prunus insititia L. were the only botanical group to show a consistently high affinity for mycorrhizal colonization with G. intraradices.     

Isolation of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi and Azotobacter chroococcum from local litchi orchards and evaluation of their activity in the air-layers system

Soil samples were collected from rhizosphere of litchi-growing areas of North-Western Himalayan Region (NWHR) of India, for finding qualitative and quantitative differences in arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi and Azotobacter chroococcum. These samples were taken from plants being grown in different cultivation types namely, weed control with weedicides or tillage; orchard floor either clear or with cover crops; intercropping with cereals and legumes. Qualitative and quantitative differences were noticed with different cultivation types and a marked reduction in the AM fungi was observed in orchards where chemicals were used for weed control and intensive farming system was used on the orchard floor. AM fungi were generally abundant in the soils with range pH 5.5–6.6. Among different AM fungi retrieved from the soils, Glomus spp. was most dominant. Fifteen AM fungal species were isolated, identified and characterized and along with their ability to colonize the roots. In the soil samples, a marked variation in viable bacterial count of A. chroococcum was also noticed due to varied physico-chemical characteristics of the orchard soils. The changes in AM fungal species composition can be attributed to changes in soil chemical properties resulting from cultural practices such as ploughing, application of chemical fertilizers and weedicides. An experiment was also conducted to study the comparative efficacy of four dominant and frequently occurring indigenous AM species namely, Glomus fasciculatum (Thaxter sensu Gerdemann), G. magnicaulis (Hall), G. mosseae (Nicol. & Gerd.), Gigaspora heterogamma (Nicol. & Gerd.) and two A. chroococcum strains viz., AZ₁ and AZ₂ singly and in dual combination to evaluate their effect in air-layers system. Dual inoculation of G. fasciculatum and AZ₁ increased total root length of air-layered shoots by 81.39% over uninoculated control. These studies indicated that indigenously isolated AM fungal species and A. chroococcum strains can be used for air-layering for better adaptation under specific agro-climatic and ecological zone conditions.     

Screening of AM fungi and Azotobacter chroococcum under natural,solarization, chemical sterilization and moisture conservation practices for commercial mango nursery production in north-west Himalayas

The present study investigates the performance of mango seedlings screened with indigenous arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi and Azotobacter chroococcum strains under solarized, chemical sterilized and natural soil conditions. Two isolates each of AM fungi namely, Glomus fasciculatum (Thaxter sensu Gerdemann) and Glomus mosseae (Nicol. & Gerd.), and two strains of A. chroococcum viz., A. chroococcum strain-I (AZ1) and A. chroococcum strain-II (AZ2) were inoculated at nursery stage under four different moisture conservation practices viz., black polyethylene mulch and organic mulches (grass mulch, cover crops, green manure) and clean cultivation. The observations on microbial population, root colonization, growth parameters and leaf nutrient content of the seedlings were recorded. Mango seedling's inoculated with G. fasciculatum and AZ1 had increased seedling's height, diameter, leaf area and total root length, microbial consortium of the rhizosphere soil and leaf N, P, K and Zn content in plots where solarization and black polyethylene mulching was used. The study revealed that the inoculation of mango stones and the saplings with G. fasciculatum and AZ1 under solarized black polyethylene mulched practice may be considered the best practice for raising mango nursery and maintaining soil health under rain-fed conditions of mid-hills of north-west Himalayas.     

Vesicular-arbuscular mycorrhizal inoculation of micropropagated fruit trees

Micropropagated plantlets of OH x F 51 and GF 677, respectively pear (Pyrus communis L.) and peach (Prunus persica x Prunus amygdalus) clonal rootstocks were inoculated during an early weaning stage of acclimatization with Glomus sp. Both rootstocks were well colonized, although the infection of OH x F 51 spread more slowly. At the end of initial vegetative growth, mycorrhizal plants of both rootstocks showed a three-fold increase in shoot length over control plants. Mycorrhizal plants also had longer internode and greater fresh mass. The root/shoot ratio was especially altered by arbuscular mycorrhizal inoculation in OH x F 51 plants, which showed a greater increase in shoot rather than in root biomass. The growth-promoting ability of endomycorrhizal fungus persisted throughout the experimental period: Glomus sp. induced a greater development of both rootstocks in the second growing year, after overwintering. Colonization of micropropagated plants by arbuscular mycorrhizal fungus appears to alter the carbohydrate status in stems and roots. Mycorrhizal plants always had a higher content of total soluble sugar, although there were no differences in soluble carbohydrate concentration between inoculated and uninoculated plants. Starch accumulation was found only in mycorrhizal plants of the peach rootstock.     

Relationship of endomycorrhizal association of unsterilized soils with available soil phosphorus,plant growth,phosphorus uptake and oil synthesis in peppermint

The effect of inoculation of peppermint (Mentha piperita L.) with Glomus fasciculatus (Thaxter sensu Gerdemann) Gerdemann and Trappe in unsterilized soils and differential phosphorus (P) availability was studied. Inoculation produced better root infection, consistent with significantly higher total root length, shoot dry weight, P uptake, organic and inorganic P fractions in leaf tissues, and oil yield as compared to uninoculated control, both at deficient and high levels of native soil P.     

The response of chilli (Capsicum annuum L.) plants to early inoculation with mycorrhizal fungi at different levels of phosphorus

Summary

Chilli plants cv. Pusa Jwala were inoculated in the nursery beds with three mycorrhizal fungi, Gigaspora calospora, G. margarita and Glomus fasciculatum and transplanted to plots supplied with 0, 25 and 50% of a recommended P level (65 kg ha^?1). Uninoculated plants were also transplanted at 0 (Control) and 100% of.the recommended P level. Plant growth, height, shoot dry weight, uptake of P, root colonization and yield of green chillies were measured. Chilli responded well to inoculation and P. G. margarita best improved growth and yield. Inoculation plus 25 and 50% P were equally better than the control and equal to uninoculated plants at 100% P. As much as 50–75% P can be dispensed with by inoculation with mycorrhizal fungi and this represents a considerable economic saving in cost.     

Effects of soil fertility on growth,nutrient concentration and mycorrhizal development of Liriodendron tulipifera seedlings inoculated with the vesicular-arbuscular fungus, Glomus fasciculatus

Seedlings were grown in 3.28-liter containers under greenhouse conditions and were inoculated with the vesicular-arbuscular mycorrhizal fungus, Glomus fasciculatus (Thaxter) Gerdemann and Trappe. Inoculated and non-inoculated seedlings were treated with 0, 2 or 4 g l^?1 nitrogen (N) as 19-6-12 controlled-release fertilizer. Mycorrhizal development increased growth of seedlings infected by G. fasciculatus at both 2 and 4 g l^?1 N. Without supplemental fertilizer, there was no growth increase of mycorrhizally infected seedlings.     

Changes in root morphology accompanying mycorrhizal alleviation of phosphorus deficiency in micropropagated Annona cherimola Mill. plants

The effect of the mycorrhizal inoculation on survival rate, growth, nutrient uptake and root morphology during the acclimatization period and plant establishment of micropropagated juvenile or adult cherimoya plants (Annona cherimola Mill.) was determined. Although mycorrhizal colonization did not improve the survival rate of plants, which was already high in non-inoculated plants, it had a positive effect on plant development (shoot length, leaf number, leaf area and fresh and dry weights). Mycorrhizal juvenile plants tripled the macronutrients and increased by four the micronutrient uptake, and mycorrhizal adult plants increased by two phosphorus and all micronutrients, with copper uptake increased five times. Moreover, mycorrhizal colonization changed the root morphology of adult plants increasing three-fold the total number of roots, doubling the number of first-order laterals and increasing second-order laterals by four. Total root length was also increased three-fold, adventitious root length was almost doubled, first-order laterals tripled and second-order roots length increased four-fold. The effect of mycorrhizal colonization seems to be stronger or different in juvenile than in adult plants, suggesting that ontogenic stage is an important factor determining mycorrhizal effect and the plant performance during the acclimatization period.     

Screening and selecting novel AM fungi and Azotobacter strain for inoculating apple under soil solarization and chemical disinfestation with mulch practices for sustainable nursery management

The objective of this study is to investigate the response of screening, and selection of novel indigenous AM fungal species and Azotobacter chroococcum strains for inoculating apple under different soil disinfestations and moisture conservation mulch practices for sustainable nursery management. Two local AM fungal species namely, Glomus fasciculatum (Thaxter sensu Gerdemann) and Glomus mosseae (Nicol. & Gerd.), and two strains of A. chroococcum viz., A. chroococcum strain-I (AZ₁) and A. chroococcum strain-II (AZ₂) were inoculated at nursery stage under soil solarization, chemical disinfestation and natural soil conditions at four different mulch materials namely, black plastic mulch (BPM), and organic mulches, i.e. grass mulch (GM); cover crops (CC); green manuring + clean cultivation (Gm + Cc). The comparative performance of the seedlings on the impact of local AM species and A. chroococcum strains on growth characteristics, microbial population, root colonization and leaf nutrient status was evaluated. The inoculation of seedlings to G. fasciculatum and AZ₁ increased all growth characteristics (plant height, stem diameter, leaf area and total root length), microbial consortium of the rhizosphere soil and leaf N, P, K and Zn content in all those plots where soil solarization and black plastic mulching was used followed by chemical disinfestations and natural soil conditions at all other mulch types used. These findings suggested that the soil inoculation of G. fasciculatum and AZ₁ strain to seeds and/or the saplings under soil solarization with black plastic mulch attained a desirable plant height and become ready for grafting which however saved a period of 1 year for nursery management compared to traditional nursery raising practice, and thus, it may be a viable and feasible approach to maintain soil productivity under nutrient limited soils for sustainable apple nursery production under temperate rain-fed conditions.     

丛枝菌根真菌对香蕉试管苗植株生长和矿质营养吸收的影响

以Williams香蕉(MusaAAA)试管苗为材料,在温室盆栽条件下研究丛枝菌根真菌(AM真菌)对香蕉植株矿质营养和营养生长的影响。试验设3个处理,不接种对照和2个菌根接种处理:接种单一菌种Glomusversiform、接种混合菌种G.versiform、G.epigaeam、G.cadedonium。结果表明,香蕉植株的菌根侵染率为22.8%～32.9%;接种AM真菌促进了香蕉植株的营养生长,显著地增加地上部和根系的干重,其菌根依赖性达到30.8%～37.8%,植株的株高、叶片数和叶片长度略有提高;接种单一菌种增加了须根的数量,但2个接种处理均降低须根的长度,使得总根长减少;单一接种剂和混合接种剂分别显著提高植株的P和K含量,2个接种处理都显著地促进了植株对N、P、K的吸收,P增幅最大,为70%～120%,K的增幅次之,为80%左右,N的增幅最小,为40%～60%。结果还表明,混合接种剂的生长促进效果略好于单一接种剂。     

Effects of AMF inoculation on growth of Panax ginseng C.A. Meyer seedlings and on soil structures in mycorrhizosphere

We aimed to investigate the effects of inoculating Panax ginseng C.A. Meyer seedlings with arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) by examining the root colonization, plant nutrition uptake, growth characteristics, and soil aggregation of P. ginseng seedlings inoculated at the time of transplantation. At 16 weeks, the AMF spore density per 30 g of fresh mycorrhizosphere in seedlings inoculated with AMF (AMF+ seedlings) was 256.8 and that in seedlings not inoculated with AMF (AMF− seedlings) was 186.3, respectively. The colonization rate of AMF in the lateral roots of AMF+ seedlings was approximately 19% higher than that in the lateral roots of AMF− seedlings. The patterns of AMF colonization in ginseng roots were similar to those of the Paris-type mycorrhizal association. Plant growth characteristics, such as plant height, root length, leaf area, number of lateral roots, fresh weight of shoots and roots, and chlorophyll content, were significantly enhanced in AMF+ seedlings compared to AMF− seedlings. The macronutrient content (P, K, and Ca) and micronutrient content (Cu, Fe, and Zn) of both shoots and roots were also significantly higher in AMF+ seedlings compared to AMF− seedlings. Furthermore, glomalin content and soil aggregation were significantly enhanced in AMF inoculated areas. Our results indicate that AMF inoculation may enhance the growth of ginseng seedlings by improving the uptake of mineral nutrients and the soil structure in mycorrhizosphere.     

Arbuscular mycorrhizal inoculation of micropropagated persimmon plantlets

Summary

Growth, development and nutrient status of micropropagated persimmon (Diospyros kaki) ‘Rojo Brillante’ in response to inoculation with two species of arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi were studied under nursery conditions. The species of AM fungi were Glomus intraradices and G. mosseae. Shoot growth depression and low root colonization percentage were observed to G. mosseae inoculation. Shoot and root growth enhancements were observed for plants colonised by G. intraradices. Inoculated plantlets with G. intraradices and high level of controlled-release fertilizer signi®cantly decreased shoot height in relation to treatment with low fertilization level. Furthermore, G. intraradices had unique effects on the mineral status of the persimmon plantlets. N and Ca were significantly increased and decreased, respectively, within the shoot tissue of plants colonised by G. intraradices. Early inoculation with G. intraradices appears to favour growth of micropropagated persimmon plantlets.     

Effect of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungal inoculation on root system architecture of trifoliate orange (Poncirus trifoliata L. Raf.) seedlings

Plant root system architecture is essential characteristics in relation to nutrient acquisition by root system from soil volume. Many environmental factors can affect the establishment of root system architecture, e.g. arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi. We inoculated the trifoliate orange (Poncirus trifoliata L. Raf.) seedlings with four AM fungal species in rhizoboxes, with non-inoculated seedlings as control. Using the WinRHIZO^® image analysis system, the root system architecture of seedlings was characterized. Results indicated that AM colonization did not affect the tap root length, the average root diameter, the basal root growth angle in spite that four AM fungal species exerted differential influence on the plant growth. Contrastingly, AM colonization significantly reduced the total root length, the root volume, the root surface area, but promoted the formation of lateral roots of high order. In addition, AM colonization induced more fine roots and less coarse roots. To our knowledge, it is the first report on the influence of AM fungi on the distribution of root diameter size classes. The mechanisms and implication of AM fungi on root system architecture is discussed.     

Pear seedling responses to phosphorus,fumigation and mycorrhizal inoculation

The effects of P, fumigation and mycorrhizal inoculation on the growth and nutrient content of pear cv. Bartlett (Pyrus communis L.) seedlings were evaluated on the P-sorbing, Parkdale soil (Vitrandepts). The P treatment levels were 0.03, 0.04, 0.06, 0.09, 0.15, 0.25, and 0.40 mg P I-1 of soil solution, based on a P-sorption isotherm. At age 145 d, dry weight, plant height, and stem diameter responses to P and to biological treatments were highly significant as were all interactions. At P levels between 0.03 and 0.25 mg I'1 the greatest growth was observed in either the unfumigated control seedlings or those given the Glomus intraradices Schenck and Smith treatment. At the highest P level thegreatest growth was observed in the plants treated with Glomus deserticola Trappe, Bloss & Menge. At the highest P level, mycorrhizal colonization and concentration of Zn and Cu declined in control plants, but not in inoculated plants.     

云南核桃不同套种模式根际丛枝菌根真菌多样性

以云南省昌宁县5种不同套种模式的十年生核桃为试材,按照丛枝菌根形态学的研究方法,研究了不同套种模式下核桃根系中AMF侵染情况和根际AMF群落组成和多样性,以期为核桃种植园中AMF自然潜力的充分发挥以及菌根技术的应用提供科学参考依据。结果表明:5种套种模式的核桃园中,核桃均与AMF形成了典型的丛枝菌根共生体,根系中AMF的总侵染率在64.63%~91.81%;从5种处理的核桃根际土中共分离到6属15种AMF,其中近明球囊霉是共有的优势种;5种处理AMF的孢子密度介于86~1 442个·(50g)^-1土。统计分析表明,5种不同处理核桃根系中AMF总侵染率和根际土壤中AMF孢子密度差异显著,其中套种茶树的种植园中AMF总侵染率和孢子密度最高,显著高于其它4种处理,而套种豌豆的种植园中AMF总侵染率和孢子密度最低。不同套种及相应的耕作方式对AMF的种类组成和多样性影响较大,该研究得出在土壤翻耕扰动较少的种植园,核桃根系中有较高的AMF定殖率,根际土壤中的孢子密度也较大。套种茶树较有利于核桃园AMF繁殖以及AMF数量和多样性的保持,是核桃林下一种较理想的种植模式。     

丛枝菌根真菌对芋组织培养苗生长的影响

 于温室盆栽条件下研究了丛枝菌根(AM) 真菌Gigaspora rosea、Glomus mosseae 和Glomus versi-forme 对芋(Colocasia esculenta) 组织培养苗移栽成活率、矿质营养、光合速率及生长的影响。结果表明, 接种AM真菌能提高芋组织培养幼苗移栽成活率和叶片光合速率, 降低气孔阻力; 其叶片和根内氮、磷、钾含量和生长量显著高于不接种对照。认为接种有效AM真菌是促进组织培养苗健康生长的重要技术。     

Enhanced growth of micropropagated bulblets of Lilium sp. inoculated with arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi at different P fertility levels in an alfisol

Summary

The effect of three arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) inocula at four available levels of phosphorus (8.41, 12.53, 13.63 and 14.6 ppm) in non-disinfected soil was studied on the growth, flowering, P uptake and root colonization in micropropagated bulblets of Lilium sp. (Asiatic hybrid ‘Gran Paradiso’). The inoculated bulblets fared significantly better than the uninoculated ones in terms of all the growth variables, namely size, weight, shoot length, number of leaves and leaf area, and in P uptake. However, bulblets inoculated with different AM inocula had optimum growth at different P levels. Bulblets inoculated with indigenous mixed vesicular-arbuscular mycorrhiza species (VAM I) and Glomus intraradices isolate 2 (VAM III) showed the best growth and early flowering at available soil P of 13.6 ppm, whereas those inoculated with Glomus intraradices isolate 1 (VAM II) showed higher growth at 2.5 ppm available soil P. Amongst the three tested inocula, VAM I promoted maximum shoot length, bulblet size, and weight at 13.6 ppm P. The bulblets under this treatment also flowered earlier, nearly a month before the uninoculated control ones.     

Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi communities improve the phytochemical quality of strawberry

The application of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) in strawberry cultivation can improve its growth and development. The objective of this study was to evaluate if strawberry plants in the absence and presence of inoculation with AMF communities, obtained from soils collected in reference-sites in the cultivation of this species, differ in their morpho-horticultural performance. Two experiments were carried out: in experiment I (frequency of AMF communities species) the treatments were eight soils containing AMF communities, collected from natural and agricultural ecosystems in reference-sites of strawberry cultivation in southern Brazil, with nine samples per treatment; in experiment II (use of AMF communities in strawberry) the treatments were eight AMF communities and one control (non-mycorrhizal plants), arranged in a completely randomised design, with three replicates. The species Claroideoglomus aff. luteum, C. claroideum, C. etunicatum, Funneliformis mosseae and Glomus sp2 were the most frequent in the studied sites and the morpho-horticultural performance of strawberry plants was improved when plants inoculated with AMF communities. Strawberry plants inoculated with mycorrhizae develop a more profuse root system and fruit anthocyanin content is increased.     

Cultural Variation and Mycorrhizal Status of Blueberry Plants in NW Oregon Commercial Production Fields

ABSTRACT

Ericoid mycorrhizal fungi (EMF) form symbiotic relationships with roots of blueberry plants providing increased access to nutrients from fertilizers and soil. In August of 2001, we sampled 55 fields in Oregon to assess the mycorrhizal status of blueberry plants under production conditions and to determine whether any relationships exist between field characteristics, root distribution, soil characteristics and level of colonization by mycorrhizal fungi. Variation in measured soil characteristics, root type, root distribution and mycorrhizal colonization occurred with cultivar, field age, bed type, rate of nitrogen fertilization, irrigation type, and mulch. Root biomass was lower in the upper 15 cm of soil compared to 15-30 cm depth. Distribution of roots between the two sampled depths varied significantly with field age, nitrogen fertilization rate, and the time of 50% harvest for the different cultivars sampled. Root length was generally greatest in the upper 15 cm of the soil than at the 15-30 cm depth. Root colonization by ericoid mycorrhizal fungi (EMF) ranged from 0.5 to 44% of total root length with higher colonization generally occurring in the upper 15 cm of the soil where the majority of smaller, finer roots were found. Colonization generally increased with increasing plant age. In young plants the highest levels of colonization were found in roots from the upper 15 cm of soil while in older plants the highest levels of colonization were found in roots at the 15-30 cm depth. Colonization of roots by EMF in the upper 15 cm of the soil tended to decrease with increasing N fertilization rate, while root colonization at the 15-30 cm depth was unaffected by rate of N fertilization. Roots on cultivars that fruited early in the season tended to have higher levels of colonization than cultivars that fruited later in the growing season. Root biomass and root length were negatively correlated with soil pH and available Ca in soil, while root colonization by EMF was negatively correlated with ammonium levels in the soil. Differences in soil characteristics, root type and distribution, and mycorrhizal colonization found in this study need to be investigated in terms of production efficiency of blueberry in Oregon.     

Influence of a flavonoid (formononetin) on mycorrhizal activity and potato crop productivity in the highlands of Peru

Mycorrhizal fungi serve as biofertilizers, reduce plant stress, and can increase plant productivity. Since the potato originated from the highlands of Peru and Bolivia, a goal of this research was to utilize indigenous Peruvian mycorrhizal populations to enhance crop productivity in a subsistence production site. The field study was also conducted to test the effectiveness of the flavonoid, formononetin, to stimulate native mycorrhizal activity and subsequent yield of six Andean potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) cultivars. The subsistence site was located at an altitude of 3900 m (61 kPa) in San Jose de Aymara (Department of Huancavelica), in the central highlands of Peru. This is approaching the highest altitude in the world that potatoes are grown. The site had a sandy–loam soil with pH 3.6, low phosphorus (P) availability and high aluminum (Al). Tubers were planted in November 1999, and grown during the rainy season. Minimal organic fertilizer was applied and the potato crop received no supplementary irrigation. Formononetin was applied as a soil drench when shoots from tubers began to emerge. At the end of the 6.5 month study, formononetin increased either potato tuber dry mass and/or Nos. 1 and 2 grade tubers in three of the six cultivars. Soil sporulation of indigenous mycorrhizae was increased more than three-fold by formononetin. There were differences in total mycorrhizal colonization among the six cultivars. The predominant arbuscular mycorrhiza genera at the site were Gigaspora, Glomus and Scutellosporas.