Assessment of the arbuscular mycorrhizal fungal community in roots and rhizosphere soils of Bt corn and their non-Bt isolines

Polymerase chain reaction-denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (PCR-DGGE) in combination with sequencing of amplified partial 18S ribosomal DNA was used to assess the effects of transgenic Bt corn 5422Bt1 (event Bt 11) and 5422CBCL (event MON810) on the community structure of a non-target microorganism, namely the arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) Glomus in corn roots and rhizosphere soils, relative to their non-Bt isolines 5422 (conventional parent) and 5422wx (conventional hybrid). AMF colonization in roots of different corn genotypes was also assessed using microscopic visualization. No adverse effect was detected on the indigenous AMF colonization of the roots of Bt hybrids 5422Bt1 and 5422CBCL. Two-way indicator species analysis (TWINSPAN^®) and detrended correspondence analysis (DCA) of the DGGE data from corn roots presented differences between Bt and non-Bt corn isolines (5422Bt1 vs. 5422wx, and 5422CBCL vs. 5422wx). However, differences were also recognized between the two non-Bt corn cultivars (5422 vs. 5422wx), and between the two Bt corn lines (5422Bt1 vs. 5422CBCL) in roots. Our results suggest that corn genotypes may have a greater influence on the AMF community structure of plant roots and rhizosphere soils than other factors, such as the age of the growing plants.     

Bt基因导入对侵染丛枝菌根真菌的玉米生长生理及磷转运基因表达的影响

为了分析Bt玉米与常规玉米对接种丛枝菌根真菌响应的异同,本文在接种摩西球囊霉(Funneliformis mosseae)和不接种的条件下,对比分析了两个Bt玉米品种‘5422Bt1’(Bt11)和‘5422CBCL’(Mon810)以及同源常规玉米品种‘5422’根系中丛枝菌根真菌侵染率、磷转运基因的表达量、生长和养分利用状况。结果表明:生长50 d和80 d时,Bt玉米‘5422Bt1’和‘5422CBCL’根系丛枝菌根真菌侵染率显著高于常规玉米‘5422’,分别比‘5422’高13.54%、11.24%和9.83%、6.70%;50 d取样时,接菌和不接菌处理玉米‘5422Bt1’、‘5422CBCL’和‘5422’根系内的磷转运基因表达量均没有显著差异;接菌和不接菌处理下玉米‘5422Bt1’的干重显著高于‘5422CBCL’相应的处理,而与‘5422’没有显著差异;80 d取样时,不接菌处理玉米‘5422Bt1’的根长、根表面积和根体积显著高于‘5422’和‘5422CBCL’不接菌处理。Bt基因的导入主要影响了两个Bt玉米品种(‘5422Bt1’和‘5422CBCL’)苗期(50 d)和成熟期(80 d)的氮素吸收利用,与常规玉米品种‘5422’相比,合成Bt蛋白消耗了部分氮素和磷;3个玉米品种对接种AMF的响应不同,接菌处理提高了‘5422Bt1’和‘5422CBCL’苗期(50 d)和成熟期(80 d)的氮素吸收利用。在磷养分条件满足玉米生长需要的条件下,接种丛枝菌根真菌对Bt玉米磷转运基因表达量和磷的吸收利用没有显著影响。Bt基因的导入以及接种F.mosseae对Bt玉米生长和养分利用的影响与不同转化事件形成的品种特性相关。     

Bt玉米丛枝菌根真菌侵染率与养分含量的变化研究

本文对比了两个不同转化事件的Bt玉米品种"5422Bt1"和"5422CBCL"及其同源常规玉米"5422"丛枝菌根真菌侵染率和叶片及根系氮、磷、钾养分含量的变化,并分析了丛枝菌根真菌侵染率和养分含量的相关性。结果表明,在观测期间,两个Bt玉米品种与常规玉米之间根系丛枝菌根真菌侵染率均无显著差异,但氮、磷、钾养分含量则明显不同,丛枝菌根真菌侵染率与养分含量之间的相关性也有所改变,其变化随玉米品种、生育期以及器官不同而不同。Bt玉米"5422Bt1"在大喇叭口期叶片全钾和根系全磷、开花授粉期叶片全磷和根系全氮、乳熟期叶片全钾以及成熟期叶片全磷和根系全氮、全钾含量均显著高于常规玉米"5422",而大喇叭口期和开花授粉期叶片全氮、开花授粉期根系全磷和全钾以及乳熟期根系全钾含量则低于常规玉米"5422"。Bt玉米"5422CBCL"在大喇叭口期叶片全钾和根系全氮及全钾、开花授粉期叶片全磷以及成熟期根系全氮和全钾含量显著大于常规玉米"5422",而开花授粉期根系全磷、乳熟期根系全磷和全钾以及成熟期叶片全磷含量则小于常规玉米"5422"。相关分析表明,常规玉米"5422"和Bt玉米"5422CBCL"的丛枝菌根真菌侵染率与根系全氮含量及叶片全钾含量之间均呈显著正相关(P0.05),而Bt玉米"5422Bt1"则无显著相关性(P0.05)。可见,与常规玉米"5422"相比,Bt玉米养分含量以及丛枝菌根真菌侵染率与养分含量之间相关关系与不同转化事件所形成的品种特性有关。     

Plant lignin and nitrogen contents control carbon dioxide production and nitrogen mineralization in soils incubated with Bt and non-Bt corn residues

Bt (Bacillus thuringiensis) corn is reported to produce lignin-rich residues, compared to non-Bt (NBt) corn, suggesting it is more resistant to decomposition. As the Bt gene is expressed selectively in stem and leaf tissue, it could affect lignin distribution in corn, which naturally has greater lignin content in roots than in stems and leaves. Our objective was to evaluate the effects of corn plant components, the Bt gene and elevated-lignin inputs on decomposition. Roots, stems and leaves from Bt corn and NBt corn isolines enriched with ¹³C and ¹⁵N were finely ground and mixed separately with soil, then incubated at 20 °C for 36 weeks. The effect of elevated lignin on decomposition was tested by adding a commercial lignin source (indulin lignin) to half of the samples. In addition to weekly CO₂ analysis and regular measurement of N mineralization, the degree of lignin degradation was evaluated at 1 and 36 weeks from the acid to aldehyde ratio (Ad/Al) of vanillyl and syringyl lignin-derived phenols. The CO₂ production and N mineralization was lower in root-amended soils than stem- and leaf-amended soils. The Bt genetic modification increased CO₂ production from stem-amended soils (P < 0.05) and decreased N mineralization in root-amended soils. The ¹³C and ¹⁵N results also showed more residue-C and -N retained in soils mixed with NBt stem residues. After 36 weeks leaf- and stem-amended soils with indulin lignin had a lower Ad/Al ratio and were less degraded than soils without exogenous lignin. In conclusion, plant lignin and nitrogen contents were good predictors of CO₂ production and N mineralization potential. Corn roots decomposed more slowly than aboveground components emphasizing the importance of recalcitrant root residues in sustaining the organic matter content of soil.     

Soil nematode community varies between rice cultivars but is not affected by transgenic Bt rice expressing <Emphasis Type="Italic">Cry1Ab</Emphasis> or <Emphasis Type="Italic">Cry1Ab</Emphasis>/<Emphasis Type="Italic">Cry1Ac</Emphasis>

Insecticidal crystal (Cry) proteins produced by transgenic Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) rice that enter the soil via root exudation and plant residues may be harmful to non-target soil organisms. We conducted a 3-year field investigation to determine if soil nematode abundance and diversity were affected by exposure to two transgenic Bt rice cultivars, compared to their non-transgenic near isolines. Near isolines were Kemingdao (KMD-Bt) expressing the single Cry1Ab gene and its non-Bt near isoline Xiushui-11 (XSD), as well as Huahui-1 (HH-Bt) expressing the fused Cry1Ab/Cry1Ac gene and its non-Bt near isoline Minghui-63 (MH). Nematode variables including community composition, abundance, trophic groups, and most of the common genera differed significantly between the rice cultivars. However, these nematode variables were similar under transgenic Bt rice and its non-Bt near isoline, although higher Shannon’s index value and Pielou’s index value were found in soils planted with Bt rice than the non-Bt near isoline. During this 3-year field study, gene modification (single Cry1Ab gene and fused Cry1Ab/Cry1Ac gene) supports a more uniform distribution of nematode species but had no effect on soil nematode abundance and community composition. We conclude that continuous cultivation of KMD-Bt and HH-Bt rice varieties for 3 years is not detrimental to soil nematode communities under field conditions.     

Role of arbuscular mycorrhizal network in carbon and phosphorus transfer between plants

Intercropping with aerobic rice or arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) colonization alleviated watermelon wilt disease, which is likely attributed to rice root exudates or AMF depressing watermelon wilt pathogen. However, it is unclear whether rice root exudates transfers to watermelon rhizosphere soil and whether AMF affects the transfer of rice root exudates to watermelon rhizosphere soil. A rhizobox experiment, with aerobic rice under ¹⁴?CO₂, was conducted to investigate the effect of AMF colonization on carbon (C) transfer from rice to watermelon and on phosphorus (P) uptake by both watermelon and rice. The rhizobox was separated into labelling side (L side) and sampling side (S side) by inserting nylon mesh in the middle of the box. The L side was planted with aerobic rice, and the S side was aerobic rice (monocropping) or watermelon (intercropping). When ¹⁴?CO₂ was added to rice canopy at the L side, ¹⁴?C activities of rice roots and rhizosphere soils in the L side were increased by intercropping with watermelon or AMF colonization. The ¹⁴?C was detected in roots and rhizosphere soils of rice and watermelon in the S side, but no differences were found among different treatments. ¹⁴?C activities in leaves were improved by AMF inoculation in the S side, regardless of rice or watermelon. Mycorrhizal colonization stimulated P absorption and translocation to rice in intercropping system. These findings suggest that AMF colonization could increase C transfer from rice to watermelon while intercropping with watermelon could promote AMF colonization and P uptake by rice.     

The influence of tillage on the structure of rhizosphere and root-associated arbuscular mycorrhizal fungal communities

Soil environmental factors affect the structure of arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungal communities present in soil. However, it is not understood to which degree management practices such as tillage lead to dissimilarities between intra- and extraradical AM fungal communities. This study aims to assess the influence of two different soil management practices (conventional tillage and no-till) on the diversity of AMF communities, both in rhizosphere soil and inside corn roots. We hypothesized that under no-till, roots are colonized as they grow through the undisturbed fungal mycelia left from the previous crop whereas under conventional tillage they are colonized by those propagules that survived disturbance and can re-establish in their new relocated and mixed environment. We predicted that the degree of similarity of AM fungal communities inside versus outside the roots would be greater under no-till than under tillage. Using terminal restriction fragment length polymorphism (T-RFLP) and denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis we observed a different AM fungal community present in roots under no-till than under conventional tillage. Moreover, the communities present in the rhizosphere soil were different than in the roots of the corn plants. These results suggest that soil management does alter the diversity of AM fungal communities associated with corn roots and that plants influence the structure of the AMF community colonizing their roots. Sequencing results indicated that the majority of AMF species found in this agricultural soil was Glomus spp. However, further work is required to determine the extent to which AM fungal genotypic alterations by soil management influences competitive relationships.     

Neither transgenic Bt maize (MON863) nor tefluthrin insecticide adversely affect soil microbial activity or biomass: A 3-year field analysis

Laboratory and greenhouse studies on transgenic Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) maize have drawn attention to the persistence and activity of the Cry proteins in soil and their potential effects on soil microorganisms, but there have been few field assessments that evaluate the effects of Bt maize with those of insecticides on soil microbial populations. This study was conducted to determine the effects of Cry3Bb Bt maize with those of the insecticide tefluthrin on soil microbial biomass and activity in the field over a 3-year cropping cycle. The recently commercialized maize variety YieldGard^® Rootworm (MON863), which produces the Cry3Bb protein, was grown along with a non-Bt isoline with and without tefluthrin applied at planting. Microbial biomass, nitrogen (N) mineralization potential, short-term nitrification rate, and respiration rate were measured in rhizosphere and bulk soil samples collected from three replicate field plots just before planting, at anthesis, and at harvest in each year. There were clear seasonal effects on microbial biomass and activity in the field soils—as represented by the consistent changes in all measured variables across years and sampling times. Differences in the measured variables were also sometimes observed between bulk and rhizosphere soil. However, there were no adverse effects of either the Bt or non-Bt maize with insecticide applied compared to the non-Bt controls; on the contrary, microbial biomass and soil respiration data suggested a stimulatory effect of the Bt genotype, particularly in comparison to the non-Bt isoline. Although ‘higher’ does not necessarily mean ‘better’, the higher microbial biomass and respiration rates observed in the Bt and insecticide-applied soils compared to non-Bt soils does allay concerns that either the Bt protein or the tefluthrin typically used to control the corn rootworm reduce microbial biomass or its respiratory activity in field soils. Similarly, the higher N mineralization potential and nitrification rates observed in some soil samples from the Bt and tefluthrin-treated plots indicate higher activity of N-mineralizing microorganisms, a potentially positive consequence as both ammonium and nitrate are effective N sources for maize during grain filling. Our data suggest that cropping MON863 Bt maize is unlikely to adversely affect soil ecology in the short term. Longer-term monitoring of transgenic cropping systems should assure that the biotic functioning of the soil is maintained as a part of studies on overall ecosystem integrity.     

Dynamics of mycotoxin and Aspergillus flavus levels in aging Bt and non-Bt corn residues under Mississippi no-till conditions

Mycotoxin and Aspergillus flavus levels in soil-surface corn debris left by no-till agriculture methods (stover, cobs, and cobs with grain) were determined during the December-March fallow period for near-isogenic Bt and non-Bt hybrid corn. By December, average mycotoxin levels in non-Bt corn were many times higher in cobs with grain than in grain harvested in September (total aflatoxins, 774 vs 211 ng/g; total fumonisins, 216 vs 3.5 microg/g; cyclopiazonic acid, 4102 vs 72.2 microg/g; zearalenone, 0.2 vs < 0.1 microg/g). No trichothecenes were detected. Levels of mycotoxins and A. flavus propagules were approximately 10- to 50-fold lower in cobs without grain and stover, respectively, for all mycotoxins except zearalenone. Mycotoxin levels in corn debris fractions decreased during winter but began to rise in March. Levels of all mycotoxins and A. flavus propagules were lower in harvested grain and debris from Bt than non-Bt corn, but differences were significant (p < 0.05) only for aflatoxins.     

外来植物紫茎泽兰入侵对菌根菌群落的影响

为了研究紫茎泽兰(Ageratina adenophora)入侵对土壤菌根真菌(mycorrhizal fungi, MF)群落的影响,采用嵌套PCR 技术分析了外来植物紫茎泽兰入侵生境内土著植物群落、土著植物与紫茎泽兰混生群落、紫茎泽兰单优群落中, 侵染紫茎泽兰及土著植物的MF 群落结构, 及紫茎泽兰与土著植物根围土壤中MF 群落结构。结果表明, 紫茎泽兰不同入侵进程MF 群落结构存在差异, 其中, 从土著植物群落的植物根内检测到内养球囊霉(Glomus intraradices)型克隆; 从土著植物与紫茎泽兰混生群落的紫茎泽兰根内也检测到内养球囊霉型克隆, 而在土著植物根内检测到1 个球囊霉属(Glomus sp 2)型克隆; 从紫茎泽兰单优群落的紫茎泽兰根内未检测到MF, 但从其根围土壤中检测到2 个球囊霉属(Glomus sp 1 和Glomus sp 2)型克隆。在土著植物与紫茎泽兰混生群落中, 从紫茎泽兰根围土壤中检测到4 个克隆型, 分别为毛舌菌阔孢(Trichoglossum hirsutum)、皂味口磨(Tricholoma saponaceum)、亚盖趋本菌(Xylobolus subpileatus)和翘鳞肉齿菌(Sarcodon imbricatus), 从土著植物根围土壤中也检测到4 个克隆型, 分别为小皮伞(Camarophyllopsis hymenocephala)、肉色香蘑(Lepista irina)、皂味口磨及亚侧耳(Panellus serotinus)型克隆; 在土著植物群落中, 从根围土壤只检测到皂味口磨型克隆。紫茎泽兰入侵改变了土著MF 群落结构, 其中在土著植物占据的土壤中以外生菌根真菌为主, 而外来植物紫茎泽兰则更多地积累了丛枝菌根真菌。文中讨论了紫茎泽兰改变入侵地土壤菌根菌群落及其可能对紫茎泽兰入侵的反馈。     

Community structure of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi associated with Robinia pseudoacacia in uncontaminated and heavy metal contaminated soils

The significance of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) in soil remediation has been widely recognized because of their ability to promote plant growth and increase phytoremediation efficiency in heavy metal (HM) polluted soils by improving plant nutrient absorption and by influencing the fate of the metals in the plant and soil. However, the symbiotic functions of AMF in remediation of polluted soils depend on plant–fungus–soil combinations and are greatly influenced by environmental conditions. To better understand the adaptation of plants and the related mycorrhizae to extreme environmental conditions, AMF colonization, spore density and community structure were analyzed in roots or rhizosphere soils of Robinia pseudoacacia. Mycorrhization was compared between uncontaminated soil and heavy metal contaminated soil from a lead–zinc mining region of northwest China. Samples were analyzed by restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) screening with AMF-specific primers (NS31 and AM1), and sequencing of rRNA small subunit (SSU). The phylogenetic analysis revealed 28 AMF group types, including six AMF families: Glomeraceae, Claroideoglomeraceae, Diversisporaceae, Acaulosporaceae, Pacisporaceae, and Gigasporaceae. Of all AMF group types, six (21%) were detected based on spore samples alone, four (14%) based on root samples alone, and five (18%) based on samples from root, soil and spore. Glo9 (Rhizophagus intraradices), Glo17 (Funneliformis mosseae) and Acau3 (Acaulospora sp.) were the three most abundant AMF group types in the current study. Soil Pb and Zn concentrations, pH, organic matter content, and phosphorus levels all showed significant correlations with the AMF species compositions in root and soil samples. Overall, the uncontaminated sites had higher species diversity than sites with heavy metal contamination. The study highlights the effects of different soil chemical parameters on AMF colonization, spore density and community structure in contaminated and uncontaminated sites. The tolerant AMF species isolated and identified from this study have potential for application in phytoremediation of heavy metal contaminated areas.     

Transgenic Bt rice does not affect enzyme activities and microbial composition in the rhizosphere during crop development

Use of transgenic crops, including those expressing the insecticidal Cry protein from Bt, is increasing at a rapid rate in worldwide. Field and laboratory studies of transgenic Bt crops have been carried out to detect the persistence and activity of the Cry protein in soil and its effect on soil microorganisms to assess their risks to environment. However, there were few studies that evaluate the seasonal effects of Bt rice on rhizosphere soil microbial communities compared to those of insecticides commonly applied in paddy soil for the control of lepidopteran insects. In this study, seasonal effects of transgenic rice expressing the Cry1Ab insecticidal protein active against lepidoperan pests and the insecticide triazophos [3-(o,o-diethyl)-1-phenyl thiophosphoryl-1,2,4-triazol] on soil enzyme activities and microbial communities were compared under field conditions. During a 2-year field study, rhizosphere soil samples of transgenic-Bt rice (Bt), non-Bt parental rice (Ck) and non-Bt parental rice with triazophos (Ckp) applied were taken at four stages in the rice developmental cycle: seedling, booting, heading and maturing. Microbial processes were investigated by measuring different biochemical activities including those involved in C and P cycling. Denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE) and terminal-restriction fragment length polymorphism (T-RFLP) analyses were used to compare rhizosphere microbial compositions. Some occasional and inconsistent effects of the application of triazophos on the bacterial composition in the rhizosphere soil of rice plant were found at the booting and heading stages as compared with that of transgenic-Bt rice. There were no statistically significant differences (P>0.05) in phosphatase activity, dehydrogenase activity, respiration, methanogenesis or fungal community composition in rhizosphere soil between Bt, Ck and Ckp over the rice cropping cycle. However, seasonal variations in the selected enzyme activities and microbial community composition in the rhizosphere soil of Bt, Ck and Ckp were clearly detected. These results suggested that the changes in rhizophere soil microbial community composition associated with the crop growth stage overweighed the application of triazophos and the cry1Ab gene transformation. KMD1 (Bt) rice expressing the cry1Ab gene had no measurable adverse effect on the key microbial processes or microbial community composition in rhizophere soil over 2 years of rice cropping.     

低磷环境下接种丛枝菌根真菌促进紫花苜蓿生长和磷素吸收的机理

  【目的】  磷极易被土壤吸附和固定,导致土壤中磷有效性较低。研究接种丛枝菌根真菌 (arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi, AMF) 和低磷处理两者交互对紫花苜蓿生长和磷吸收的影响,为提高碱性土壤中磷肥利用率提供理论依据。  【方法】  以黄绵土和紫花苜蓿 (Medicago sativa) 为试验材料进行盆栽试验。在施磷0、5、20 mg/kg (P0、P5、P20) 3个水平下,分别设接种和不接种丛枝菌根 Glomus mosseae BGC YN02 (+AMF、–AMF) 处理。植物生长120天后测定植株生物量、磷吸收量、AMF侵染率以及根际和非根际土壤的pH、土壤碱性磷酸酶活性、土壤有效磷含量、土壤微生物生物量磷,分析根际有机酸的组成与含量。  【结果】  +AMF处理中植物根系被AMF侵染,且施磷水平对侵染率没有显著影响;施磷和+AMF处理显著提高了植株地上部、地下部生物量以及磷含量,其中P20+AMF处理生物量和磷含量最高;根际有机酸总量随施磷水平上升而显著降低,但+AMF处理有机酸总量高于–AMF处理,其中柠檬酸和乙酸含量的变化较为明显;施磷和+AMF显著降低土壤碱性磷酸酶活性,增加土壤有效磷含量和微生物生物量磷,且低磷环境 (P0、P5) 下根际土壤碱性磷酸酶活性和微生物生物量磷均显著高于非根际土;P20处理显著降低磷利用效率和磷肥利用率,+AMF处理显著提高磷肥利用率。  【结论】  碱性土壤 (黄绵土) 中,AMF和紫花苜蓿根系能建立较好的共生关系,低施磷水平 (施磷量 ≤ 20 mg/kg) 对AMF侵染率没有显著影响。施磷和接种AMF均可以显著促进紫花苜蓿生长和磷吸收。低磷环境下,接种AMF可以扩大植物根系吸收范围,同时增强根际土壤碱性磷酸酶活性,促进根系分泌有机酸,特别是乙酸和柠檬酸,从而提高磷肥利用率。     

Molecular diversity of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi associated with an Mn hyperaccumulator—Phytolacca americana,in Mn mining area

Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) have great potential for assisting metal-hyperaccumulating plants in the remediation of contaminated soils. However, little information is available about the symbiosis and community composition of AMF associated with manganese (Mn) hyperaccumulator, such as Phytolacca americana, growing on Mn-contaminated soils under natural conditions. Therefore, the objective of this study was to analyze AMF diversity and community composition in P. americana roots growing at an Mn mining site. Molecular techniques were used to analyze AMF community composition and phylogenetic relationship in P. americana roots sampled from three Mn mine spoils and one adjacent reference areas. Results obtained showed that mycorrhizal symbionts successfully established even in the most heavily Mn-polluted sites. Root colonization and AMF diversity were significantly negatively correlated with total and extractable Mn concentrations. Principal component analysis (PCA) revealed that Mn contamination impacted AMF diversity, and shaped AMF community structure. Phylogenetic analyses demonstrated that all species were affiliated with Glomus, suggesting that Glomus was the dominant genus in this AMF community. Some unique sequences that occurred exclusively in heavily polluted sites associated with P. americana may belong to symbiotic fungi with great potential for improving the phytoremediation efficiency of Mn-contaminated soils.     

磷肥对酸性红壤上玉米不同部位丛枝菌根真菌群落的影响

为了研究不同磷肥水平下酸性红壤上玉米不同部位丛枝菌根真菌(Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi, AMF)群落多样性和组成结构,明确玉米不同部位AMF群落的分布特征及对磷肥的响应差别,为提高酸性红壤磷素利用提供理论依据。本实验设置三个磷肥水平：不施磷、低磷(25 mg P /kg)和高磷(100 mg P /kg),玉米培养4周后,测定玉米生物量和土壤理化性质,利用高通量测序技术检测玉米根部、根际和非根际土壤AMF群落结构和多样性。结果显示,随着磷肥水平增加,玉米生物量显著提高,高磷处理下玉米地上部磷含量显著高于不施磷和低磷处理。取样部位(根部、根际和非根际)显著影响了AMF群落优势属球囊霉属(Glomus)、巨孢囊霉属(Paraglomus)和近明球囊霉属(Claroideoglomus)相对丰度,但是磷肥影响不显著。类似的,取样部位而不是磷肥显著影响了AMF群落香农指数和物种丰富度。非度量多维标度(NMDS)结果显示,根部样品与非根际和根际土壤样品群落距离更远,而相同取样部位中不同磷肥水平间群落组成更为相似；置换多元方差分析(PERMANOVA)进一步表明,取样部位而不是磷肥显著影响了AMF群落组成结构,主要表现在根部样品与根际和非根际土壤不同。因此,酸性红壤上玉米不同部位对AMF群落的影响明显高于磷肥作用,表明AMF应用于酸性红壤时应重点考虑作物部位的特性。     

Variation in community structure of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi associated with a Cu tolerant plant—Elsholtzia splendens

Little is known about the characteristics of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) community in the roots of host plants growing on heavy metal contaminated sites. The objectives of this study were to examine the community structure of AMF associated with the roots of a copper (Cu) tolerant plant—Elsholtzia splendens in a Cu mining area in southeastern Anhui Province, China. Molecular techniques were used to analyze AMF community composition and phylogenetic relationship in E. splendens roots sampled from three Cu mine spoils and two adjacent reference areas. Results obtained showed that root colonization and AMF diversity were very low and negatively correlated with total and extractable Cu concentrations. All the DNA sequences recovered belonged to the genus of Glomus. The principal component analysis (PCA) revealed that the AMF community composition varied remarkably among different sites and was related closely to soil properties, especially Cu concentrations. The distribution pattern of AMF species in various sites suggested the degree of AMF tolerance to Cu contamination. The unique AMF species that presented exclusively in heavily contaminated sites need to be further examined for potential application in phytoremediation of metal contaminated soils.     

Cumulative effects of tree-based intercropping on arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi

In tree-based intercropping system (agroforestry), the role of perennial trees in maintaining active populations and mycelial networks of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) is well documented. Agroforestry positively influences the AMF community, but complete studies regarding mycorrhization in such systems are scarce. The present study was conducted to assess the effect of tree introduction in agriculture fields on mycorrhization. In particular, we investigated the effect of trees on AMF colonization of intercrops and vice versa, the effect of canopy management of trees on their root colonization, and the cross-infectivity of AMF isolated from tree rhizosphere in intercrops and vice versa. The results of the field study suggest that in agroforestry systems, trees acted as AMF inoculum reservoir for intercrops, especially during the rainy season. Intercropping (Phaseolus mungo and Triticum aestivum in the rainy and winter seasons, respectively) increased mycorrhization, i.e., root colonization and spore population in the rhizosphere of Albizia procera and Eucalyptus tereticornis. Canopy management, i.e., shoot pruning, reduces root colonization in A. procera, Anogeissus pendula, Dalbergia sissoo, Hardwickia binata, and Tectona grandis, especially in April 2005 (late spring), but during subsequent periods, differences among the treatments were at par. Results from greenhouse suggest that AMF are nonspecific in their selection of host since species isolated from tree rhizosphere could colonize the roots of crops and vice versa.     

The impact of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi on strawberry tolerance to root damage and drought stress

Individually, arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF), drought stress, and root damage can alter terrestrial plant performance but the joint effects of these three factors have not been explored. Because AMF can improve water relations, colonization by these root symbionts may increase the host’s tolerance of drought especially when roots have been compromised by herbivory. This full factorial study examined effects of AMF, water deficit, and artificial root herbivory in three genotypes of wild strawberry, Fragaria virginiana Duchesne that originated from the same restored tallgrass prairie as the AMF inoculum. Drought stress and root damage altered allocation to roots vs. shoots but the effects were not additive and the interaction did not depend on AMF treatment. Effects of AMF were absent with one exception: root damage significantly reduced belowground mass only in plants inoculated with AMF. Although drought stress did not interact with the AMF treatment, both drought stress and root damage reduced the abundance of arbuscules, and especially vesicles, and colonization varied among genotypes. Failure to detect strong effects of AMF on host growth could be due to variable responses of individual AMF species summing to no net effects. Functionally, AMF were primarily commensals of strawberry in this study.     

Inhibition of colonization by a native arbuscular mycorrhizal fungal community via Populus trichocarpa litter,litter extract,and soluble phenolic compounds

Controls on the colonization and abundance of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) in ecosystems are little understood and may be related to host factors, the fungal community, and soil physio-chemical properties; and changes in these variables during soil development may affect succession between mycorrhizal groups. Here we investigated the effects of litter, litter leachates, and common soluble phenolic compounds on AMF colonization of roots. In previous studies, we observed a negative correlation between increases in black cottonwood (Populus trichocarpa) litter and AMF abundance and inoculum potential along a riparian chronosequence in northwest Montana. From this, we hypothesized that litter inputs negatively affect the native AMF community and may contribute to the shift between AMF and ectomycorrhizas. We tested the effects of cottonwood foliage and litter extract additions on the colonization of AMF of both cottonwood and Sudan grass (Sorghum sudanese) seedlings. Addition of 5% (v/v) dried cottonwood leaves completely inhibited AMF colonization of S. sudanese. AMF colonization of S. sudanese was significantly reduced by litter extract of P. trichocarpa foliage, and colonization was negatively correlated with litter extract concentrations. Additions of aqueous litter extract significantly reduced AMF colonization of cottonwood seedlings as well. The effect of the litter extract on AMF colonization of S. sudanese did not appear to be mediated by changes in soil pH or plant biomass. Available phosphorus was higher in soil receiving highest concentration of litter extract, but not at a level expected to be inhibitory to AMF colonization. Litter additions significantly increased total soil phenolics, but with a range similar to natural soils of the Nyack floodplain. We tested pure soluble phenolic compounds common to Populus for their effect on AMF colonization by native fungi from the Nyack floodplain. All tested compounds significantly reduced AMF colonization but did not affect colonization by non-AMF root-colonizing fungi. This suggests secondary compounds present in cottonwood litter can affect colonization ability of a native AMF community. The potential mechanisms of inhibition and the relevance of these findings to AMF succession within both a single host and soil are discussed.     

Diversity and seasonal variations of mycorrhiza and rhizosphere bacteria in three common plant species at the Slovenian Ljubljana Marsh

Interactions between plants and microorganisms can significantly affect plant health and productivity as well as ecosystem functioning. Detailed knowledge of the tripartite relationships between plants, fungi, and bacteria, and their environment is still limited. In the present study, the soils adjacent to three plant species (Cruciata laevipes, Mentha piperita, Equisetum arvense) in the Ljubljana Marsh and the bulk, plant-free soil were analyzed for their bacterial community structure in June and October 2006. The terminal restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis indicated a different bacterial community structure in the rhizosphere and in bulk soil, however, with almost no seasonal changes between late spring and autumn samples and no apparent impact of the three plant species. In addition, root colonization of the three plant species by arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) and dark septate endophytes (DSE) was microscopically assessed monthly from May until October 2006. A presumably accidental correlation between monthly precipitation and the degree of arbuscule formation, with the latter lagging 1 month, was noted for M. piperita, the most heavily colonized of the three plant species. With all three plants, the phosphorus content in roots correlated positively with most AMF structures. Microsclerotia of DSE were mainly abundant in autumn samples. Fungal diversity in roots was estimated using temporal temperature gradient gel electrophoresis separation of the fungal polymerase chain reaction products obtained for both 18S-rDNA and the 5.8S-ITS2-28S rDNA segments. No specific effects of either plant species or seasonal changes on mycorrhizal community structure were discernible.