Strong bottom-up and weak top-down effects in soil: nematode-parasitized insects and nematode-trapping fungi

The soils of the Bodega Marine Reserve (BMR, Sonoma County, California) contain many nematode-trapping fungi and many ghost moth larvae parasitized by entomopathogenic nematodes. The current study determined whether these nematode-parasitized moth larvae, which can produce very large numbers of nematodes, enhanced the population densities of nematode-trapping fungi and whether the fungi trapped substantial numbers of nematodes emerging and dispersing from moths. Wax moths were used in place of ghost moths because the former are easier to obtain. When nematode-parasitized moth larvae were added to laboratory microcosms containing BMR field soil, the population densities of four nematode-trapping fungi increased substantially. The greatest increase in population density was by Arthrobotrys oligospora, which uses adhesive networks to capture nematodes. A. oligospora population density increased about 10 times when the added moth larvae were parasitized by the nematode Heterorhabditis marelatus and about 100 times when added moth larvae were parasitized by the nematode Steinernema glaseri. Other trapping fungi endemic to the soil and enhanced by nematode-parasitized moth larvae included Myzocytium glutinosporum, Drechslerella brochopaga, and Gamsylella gephyropaga, which produce adhesive spores, constricting rings, and adhesive branches, respectively. The data suggest that the previously documented abundance and diversity of nematode-trapping fungi in BMR soil can be explained, at least in part, by nematode-parasitized insects, although that inference requires further studies with ghost moths. The strong bottom-up enhancement of nematode-trapping fungi was not matched by a strong top-down suppression of nematodes, i.e. the fungi trapped fewer than 30% of dispersing nematodes.     

The nematode-trapping fungus Arthrobotrys oligospora in soilof the Bodega marine reserve: distribution and dependenceon nematode-parasitized moth larvae

Of the 13 nematode-trapping fungi previously detected at the Bodega Marine Reserve (BMR, Sonoma County, CA, USA), Arthrobotrys oligospora is by far the most abundant. Why A. oligospora is so abundant is unclear, but the answer may involve bush lupines (Lupinus arboreus), ghost moth larvae (Hepialus californicus), and insect-parasitic nematodes (Heterorhabditis marelatus). Previous research documented a dramatic increase of A. oligospora in BMR soil with the addition of an H. marelatus-parasitized moth larva. The current study tested two predictions based on the hypothesis that the H. marelatus-parasitized ghost moth larva is a unique and important resource for A. oligospora at BMR. First, because ghost moth larvae are concentrated in soil under bush lupines, we predicted that A. oligospora numbers would be greater under lupines than away from lupines. Second, we predicted that A. oligospora would be enhanced more by moth larvae containing living H. marelatus than by moth larvae containing dead H. marelatus or no H. marelatus or by nematodes alone. The first prediction was supported by data from a field study (A. oligospora population density was greater beneath lupines than in grasses 2 m away), but the difference was small. The second prediction was not supported by data from a laboratory experiment (dead moth larvae caused dramatic increases in A. oligospora numbers whether or not the dead moth larvae contained living nematodes). While H. marelatus are clearly unnecessary for the large increase in A. oligospora numbers, the importance of nematodes in general remains unclear because addition of dead moth larvae always resulted in large increases in bacterivorous nematodes and because addition of nematodes alone enhanced A. oligospora in one trial but not in two others.     

Determinants of trophic modes of the nematophagous fungus Arthrobotrys oligospora interacting with bacterivorous nematode Caenorhabditis elegans

The determinants of saprotrophic or predatory modes of the nematophagous fungus Arthrobotrys oligospora were investigated in soil microcosms and on solid nutrient media. A sterilized soil amended with 1% w/w alfalfa meal (C:N=32) and inoculated with conidia of A. oligospora, showed lower mycelium biomass and higher specific rate of conidia production in the presence of the bacterivorous nematode Caenorhabditis elegans than in its absence. As few as 10 nematodes g⁻¹ soil were sufficient to enhance spore formation by the vegetative mycelium. Given that the fungus was not limited by available carbon and nitrogen, this indicates that nematodes provide essential growth factors regulating the development of A. oligospora. Carbon mineralisation by A. oligospora, measured as the rate of CO₂ production, was found to be 25–35% lower in the presence of 20–60 C. elegans g⁻¹ soil compared to soil without nematodes. This showed that A. oligospora had lower saprotrophic activity in the predaceous phase. Trap formation and nematophagous activity of A. oligospora were observed only where conidia were inoculated on nutrient poor medium (water agar), on low-nitrogen medium (Yeast Carbon Base agar) or on medium containing no amino-acids or vitamins (Czapek-Dox agar). A. oligospora did not form trapping structures when grown on nutrient-rich media containing three amino-acids (l-histidine monohydrocloride, dl-methionine and dl-tryptophan) and vitamins (biotin, calcium pantothenate, folic acid, inositol, niacin, p-aminobenzoic acid, pyridoxine hydrochloride, riboflavine, thiamine hydrochloride). It is concluded that predaceous behaviour of A. oligospora can be regulated either by nitrogen sources or by physiologically active compounds (amino-acids or vitamins) present in nematodes.     

Short-term and long-term effects of bacterivorous nematodes and nematophagous fungi on carbon and nitrogen mineralization in microcosms

A microcosm experiment was carried out to quantify the effects of organisms at various trophic levels on C and N mineralization after the addition of crop residues to arable soil. The effects of the bacterivorous nematodes Rhabditis sp. and Acrobeloides bütschlii and of the nematophagous fungi Arthrobotrys oligospora und Drechmeria coniospora on soil respiration and N mineralization were measured over 6 months at 20°C. In the presence of nematodes, C mineralization was increased during the first month and subsequently reduced; N mineralization was increased during the first 2 months and then reduced. The results support the assumption that nematodes influence C mineralization mainly indirectly by affecting bacterial activity, and N mineralization mainly directly by mineralizing bacterial biomass. A. oligospora contributed directly to C mineralization. The effect of both fungi on N mineralization was indirect and resulted from the reduction in the numbers of nematodes. The results showed that the effects of nematodes and nematophagous fungi and the mechanisms behind the effects may vary strongly in time, and are correlated with the type of organic matter decomposed.Work was carried out at the DLO Research Institute for Agrobiology and Soil Fertility, Haren     

Wood, nematodes, and the nematode-trapping fungus Arthrobotrys oligospora

Researchers have proposed that Arthrobotrys oligospora and related fungi trap soil nematodes to obtain nitrogen and thereby compete saprophytically for carbon and energy in nitrogen-poor environments, including litter and wood. The current study tested two hypotheses concerning this model. The first was that wood decomposition would be enhanced if both large numbers of nematodes (a potential nitrogen supply) and A. oligospora (a cellulolytic organism that can use that N supply) were present. The second was that A. oligospora trapping activity would increase if large numbers of nematodes were added to soil containing abundant carbon (a wood dowel or chip). Although the first hypothesis was supported by an in vitro experiment on agar (A. oligospora degraded much more wood when nematodes were present), neither hypothesis was supported by an experiment in vials containing field soil. In soil, wood decomposition was unaffected by the addition of A. oligospora or large numbers of nematodes. Whereas A. oligospora trapped virtually all nematodes added to agar cultures, it trapped few or no nematodes added to soil. Given that the fungal isolate was obtained from the same soil and that the fungus increased to large numbers (>1×10³ propagules g⁻¹ soil), the failure of A. oligospora to trap nematodes in soil is difficult to explain. Soil nitrate levels, however, were high (71 mg kg⁻¹), and it is possible that with lower nitrate levels, trapping in soil might be stimulated by wood and nematodes.     

Phosphate‐solubilizing potential of the nematophagous fungus Arthrobotrys oligospora

The nematophagous fungus Arthrobotrys oligospora was tested in vitro and in vivo for its ability to solubilize rock phosphate. Three types of rock phosphate (RP) from Burkina Faso (KRP), Senegal (TRP), and Mali (TIRP) were used at four concentrations for the in‐vitro experiment. All three types of RP were solubilized by the fungus. The maximum quantity of P recovered in solution was obtained with TRP, 12.5% for an application of 1 g L^–1. The effect of TRP and A. oligospora applied separately or in combination was tested in vivo on the growth of A. holosericea. In a P‐deficient soil without addition of RP, P solubilization was increased by addition of A. oligospora. The P uptake by plants growing in soil amended with TRP and inoculated with A. oligospora was significantly higher compared to noninoculated controls, thus demonstrating the ability of the fungus to solubilize additional phosphate from RP in vivo.     

Enchytraeids and nematophagous fungi in soil microcosms

In small containers of soil in the laboratory, the enchytraeid Enchytraeus crypticus destroyed colonies of the nematophagous fungus Hirsutella rhossiliensis growing from pelletized hyphae, and reduced biological control of the root-knot nematode Meloidogyne javanica. The enchytraeid also reduced the population densities of the nematode-trapping fungi Monacrosporium gephyropagum, Arthrobotrys thaumasia, and A. haptotyla. Because addition of pelletized hyphae caused rapid and large increases in numbers of E. crypticus, the enchytraeid apparently interfered with biological control by ingesting and consuming the fungi. Received: 15 January 1997     

The influence of the root-knot nematode Meloidogyne incognita, the nematicide aldicarb and the nematophagous fungus Pochonia chlamydosporia on heterotrophic bacteria in soil and the rhizosphere

Plant‐pathogenic nematodes are a major cause of crop damage worldwide, the current chemical nematicides cause environmental damage, but alternatives such as biological control are less effective, so further understanding of the relationship between nematodes, nematicides, biological control agents and soil and rhizosphere microorganisms is needed. Microbial populations from roots of cabbage and tomato plants infested with the root‐knot nematode Meloidogyne incognita were compared with those from plants where the nematode was controlled by the nematicide aldicarb, or a nematophagous fungus with biological control potential, Pochonia chlamydosporia. The total numbers of culturable bacteria and fungi in rhizosphere soil were similar in all three treatments for both plants, around 100‐fold more than in control soil in which there were no plants. However, there were clear differences in the catabolic diversity, assessed by Biolog EcoPlate? carbon substrate utilization assays, between microbial populations from unplanted soil and the rhizosphere. In cabbage, a poor host for M. incognita, the rhizosphere population from P. chlamydosporia‐treated plants was distinct from the population from untreated and aldicarb‐treated plants. In tomato, a host susceptible to the nematode, the catabolic diversity of populations from aldicarb‐ and P. chlamydosporia‐treated plants was similar and differed from the untreated, nematode‐infested plants. The genetic diversity of the fast‐growing heterotrophic bacteria in the tomato rhizosphere, indicated by PCR fingerprinting with ERIC primers, was very different in the infested roots, whereas the profiles of isolates from both aldicarb‐ and P. chlamydosporia‐treated roots were similar. Evidently, nematodes have a greater impact on the rhizosphere population of a susceptible host, tomato, than a poor one, cabbage, and nematode‐infested roots are colonized by a different subpopulation of soil microbes from that on plants where infection is controlled, illustrating differences in root morphology and physiology.     

Effects of lumbricids and enchytraeids on nematodes in limed and unlimed coniferous mor humus

In a factorial laboratory experiment, specimens of Dendrobaena octaedra (Lumbricidae) and Cognettia sphagnetorum (Enchytraeidae) were added to microcosms with unlimed (pH 4.5) and limed (pH 5.5) coniferous mor humus containing bacteria, fungi, protozoans, and nematodes. Effects on the nematodes were assessed after an incubation period of 207 days at 15°C and a soil moisture content of 60% water-holding capacity. When D. octaedra was absent, nematodes were significantly more abundant in the limed humus than in the unlimed humus. The presence of D. octaedra markedly reduced the number of nematodes in the limed humus but not in the unlimed one, where D. octaedra lost weight and probably did not feed. Most nematodes (92–97%) were bacterial-feeders. The presence of D. octaedra did not decrease the number or biomass of bacteria, indicating that the reduction in nematode numbers was not the result of competition for bacteria between D. octaedra and the nematodes. The presence of C. sphagnetorum had no effect on the nematodes in either of the treatments. We suggest that the reason why D. octaedra, but not C. sphagnetorum, reduced nematode numbers is that the former was more likely to inadvertently ingest the nematodes because of its much greater size. The results provide a possible explanation for the observation that liming sometimes enhances nematode populations, when lumbricids do not respond to the treatment, and sometimes causes decreases, when lumbricids increase in number.     

The effects of organic amendments on the interactions between a nematophagous fungus Arthrobotrys oligospora and the root-knot nematode Meloidogyne mayaguensis parasitizing tomato plants

The aim of this study was to examine the effects of amendments with leaf biomass on the development of tomato plants in a soil where root-knot nematodes (Meloidogyne mayaguensis) and/or a nematophagous fungus (Arthrobotrys oligospora, strain ORS 18697) had been inoculated. Six origins of leaf biomass were chosen: Acacia mangium, Acacia holosericea, Eucalyptus camaldulensis, Casuarina equisetifolia, Azadirachta indica and Sorghum vulgare. These leaf biomass types inhibited the development of the aerial parts of the tomato plants. This negative effect was not observed when the fungus was inoculated. On the contrary, plant growth was stimulated. Moreover, the antagonistic activity of Arthrobotrys oligospora was strengthened in the presence of ground leaf powder, especially that from Acacia holosericea. The effects of phenolic compounds on fungal growth and predatory activity and on plant growth are discussed.     

Fungal-feeding habits of six nematode isolates in the genus Filenchus

The family Tylenchidae is a large group of soil nematodes but their feeding habits are not fully known. We studied the fungal-feeding abilities of nematodes in the genus Filenchus. We measured population growth rates (PGRs) of six nematode isolates, representing three Filenchus species, when feeding on seven fungal species on two types of culture media. On Potato Dextrose Agar (PDA) Filenchus misellus, Filenchus discrepans and an unidentified Filenchus sp. generally showed moderate to large PGRs on saprophytic fungi (Rhizoctonia solani, Chaetomium globosum, Coprinus cinereus, Flammulina velutipes) and low PGRs on plant-pathogenic fungi (Fusarium oxysporum, Pythium ultimum). In soil medium amended with chopped soybean plant material or wheat bran, the status of most of the fungi as food for the nematodes was similar to that on PDA, although PGRs tended to be lower in the soil medium. However, C. globosum, a good food on PDA, only supported low PGR in soil for each of the three nematodes. The PGRs of F. misellus on C. globosum in soil were still low even when types and amounts of organic matter amendments were varied. A nematophagous fungus, Pleurotus ostreatus (oyster mushroom), was determined to be a food for Filenchus on PDA or in soil, based on PGR measurements corrected for extraction efficiency. To determine whether fungal species and culture media affected nematode extraction efficiencies and, consequently, the apparent PGRs, we compared efficiencies between R. solani, C. globosum and C. cinereus, and between PDA and soil. The relatively low extraction efficiencies across fungal species in soil seemed responsible for the lower nematode PGRs in soil than on PDA. On PDA generally, fungal species did not affect the assessment. In soil, effects of fungal species on extraction were significant, but not consistent, across nematode species. Nevertheless, the extraction efficiency differences in soil were considered not to affect assessment of the three fungi as food for the nematodes. The confirmation that three Filenchus species reproduce by feeding on fungi in soil suggests that fungal-feeding is not an unusual habit in the field, in this genus. We believe that in community studies, nematodes in the genus Filenchus should be considered fungal feeders or root and fungal feeders, rather than only plant feeders. Our confirmation of fungal-feeding habits in the genus Filenchus supports the hypotheses that plant-feeding nematodes evolved from those feeding on fungi.     

Can endophytic Arthrobotrys oligospora modulate accumulation of defence related biomolecules and induced systemic resistance in tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill.) against root knot disease caused by Meloidogyne incognita

The soil community is an often ignored part of research which links plant biodiversity and ecosystem functioning despite their influence on numerous functions such as decomposition and nutrient cycling. Few consistent patterns have been detected that link plant and soil community composition; however, it has not been studied in details. Arthrobotrys oligospora, a model predacious fungus for nematode trapping, beside biocontrol potential may modulate plant health and increase natural antioxidants in tomato fruit directly or indirectly. In the present study we have investigated the effects of nematode trapping fungus A. oligospora on induction and bioaccumulation of natural antioxidant and defence related biomolecules in tomato plants when challenged with Meloidogyne incognita causing root knot. Endophytic and rhizospheric isolates of A. oligospora were isolated from different parts of India and characterized under controlled laboratory conditions. The study describes the multifarious effects of endophytic and rhizospheric isolates of A. oligospora in green house and field conditions in tomato plants when inoculated individually or in combination. It was found that A. oligospora EAO-147 and RST-101 when applied individually or in combination significantly increased various attributes in plants. Among both the isolates, endophytic A. oligospora EAO-147 was found to be more potential in enhancing the defence related biomolecules, enzymes and exhibited biocontrol potentials against M. incognita. With application of A. oligospora, increase in nutritional quality of ripe tomato fruits (mineral nutrients and natural antioxidant properties) was also demonstrated first time. Results suggest that application of A. oligospora, particularly endophytic, not only helps in control of nematodes but also increase plant growth as well as enhances the nutritional value of tomato fruits. Thus, it proves to be an excellent biocontrol as well as plant growth promoting agent.     

不同细菌饲喂细菌线虫对土壤细菌数量、活性以及群落结构的影响

The effects of bacterial-feeding nematodes on bacterial number, activity, and community composition were studied through a microcosm experiment using sterilized soil inoculated with soil bacteria （soil suspension） and with bacteria and three species of bacterial-feeding nematodes （ Cephalobus persegnis, Protorhabditis filiformis, and Caenorhabditis elegans）. Catalyzed reporter deposition-fluorescence in situ hybridization, CO2 evolution, and denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis （DGGE） of PCR ampli- fied 16S rRNA gene fragments were used to investigate bacterial numbers, antivity, and community composition, respectively. Our results showed that bacterial numbers and activity significantly increased in the presence of bacterial-feeding nematodes, which indicated that bacterial-feeding nematodes had a significant positive effect on soil bacteria. The different nematode species had different effects on bacterial numbers and activity. C. persegnis and P. filiformis, isolated from native soil, increased the bacterial number and activity more than C. elegans. The DGGE analysis results showed that dominant bacterial species significantly differed among the treatments, which suggested that bacterial-feeding nematode species modified the bacterial community composition in soil. Further gene sequence analysis results showed that the dominant bacterial species in this study were gram-negative bacteria. Given the completely same conditions except nematode species, the varied selective feeding behavior of different nematode species was the most likely reason for the altered bacterial community composition. Overall, the alteration of bacterial numbers, activity and community composition resulting from the bacterial-feeding nematodes may ult!mately affect soil ecological functioning and processes.     

动物寄生线虫的生物防治研究进展

利用食线虫真菌对动物寄生线虫的生物防治已经取得了初步的成果,本研究涉及从分子水平讨论食线虫真菌与线虫之间的相互作用机制,菌株选育和基因操作。     

Does the positive feedback effect of nematodes on the biomass and activity of their bacteria prey vary with nematode species and population size?

Two nematode species (Cruznema tripartitum and Acrobeloides bodenheimeri) were selected to test the hypotheses that bacterial-feeding nematodes affect bacterial biomass and activity and that this feedback effect varies with nematode species and population size. For each species, nematodes of three initial population sizes were inoculated onto bacterial colonies in separate microcosms. Nematode population, bacterial biomass and CO₂ production were monitored in parallel microcosm settings. The responses of bacterial biomass to nematode species were different. Bacterial biomass increased significantly on d 8 in the presence of Acrobeloides when its initial numbers were 20 and 100 per microcosm; and bacterial biomass increased significantly on d 4 in the presence of Cruznema when its initial numbers were 5 and 20 per microcosm. Daily CO₂ production of the microcosms with initial population sizes of 5, 20 and 100 Cruznema or of 5 and 100 Acrobeloides was significantly greater than that in microcosms without nematodes. However, the CO₂ production of the microcosms with initial population of 20 Acrobeloides was not significantly different from that of the microcosms without nematodes. The increase in daily CO₂ production per microcosm by Cruznema was generally greater than that by Acrobeloides for the first few days of the experiment. Nevertheless, the increase in daily CO₂ production by an individual nematode was similar for both species and was a decreasing function of the initial nematode numbers. The feedback effect of each nematode species on its bacterial prey was estimated by fitting both bacterial biomass and CO₂ production data to a model. Model outputs demonstrated that the feedback effect of Cruznema on bacteria was greater than that of Acrobeloides during the course of the experiment and the feedback effect of each species was not linearly correlated to initial nematode population sizes. Cruznema increased bacterial biomass and activity by a factor of 3.75-4.55 over the first 4 d, while Acrobeloides increased it by a factor between 1.97 and 3.40.     

Soil nematodes associated with the mammal pathogenic fungal genus <Emphasis Type="Italic">Malassezia </Emphasis>(Basidiomycota: Ustilaginomycetes) in Central European forests

Screening forest soil nematodes for associated fungi by PCR, and sequencing the internal transcribed spacer detected the human, and other mammals, pathogenic fungus Malassezia in association with soil nematodes for the first time in Europe. Malassezia restricta and M. globosa were associated with the nematode genus Malenchus sp., whereas another nematode, Tylolaimophorus typicus hosted only M. restricta.     

Influence of weather and time of deposition on sheep faeces colonization by nematophagous fungi in the Mata region of Minas Gerais State,Brazil

The influence of climate and time of deposition on the colonization of sheep faeces by nematophagous fungi was examined in the Mata Region of Minas Gerais State, Brazil. Sheep faeces were collected from the rectums of animals and deposited on pastures of Brachiaria decumbens in the months of July and October 1995 and January and April 1996. Samples of the deposited faeces were recovered 3, 7 and 14 days after deposition. Sub-samples of faeces (2 g) were placed in the centre of a 2% water–agar petri dish. Free-living nematodes were added as bait, the plates incubated at room temperature and examined for 3 weeks. Isolated fungi were further cultured on corn-meal agar plates for identification. A total of 123 fungi was isolated from the 120 sheep faecal samples deposited on pastures including 22 in July, 39 in October, 41 in January and 21 in April. More than one-third of the fungi were recovered on the third day after deposition. Arthrobotrys oligospora and Monacrosporium eudermatum, were the most common predatory fungi and Harposporium anguillulae the most common endoparasite. Results showed that sheep faeces deposited on pastures of B. decumbens are colonized rapidly by a variety of nematophagous fungi and seasonality affects colonization.     

Effects of oxamyl and chlordane on the activities of nontarget soil organisms

Summary The effect of two pesticides, oxamyl and chlordane, on nontarget soil biota were examined in microcosms. Neither oxamyl nor chlordane had an effect on rates of litter decomposition or soil and litter respiration. There were differences in numbers of nematodes and protozoans and in biomass of bacteria and fungi in microcosms with and without chlordane on some sampling dates. One of the nematodes, Pelodera sp., died out in all of the microcosms within 30 days. Although the pesticide chlordane had no measurable effect on the activities of the soil biota as measured by respiration and mass loss, it did affect the population sizes and biomass of some grazers of soil biota.     

连作番茄根区病土对番茄生长及土壤线虫与微生物的影响

探索连作番茄根区病土对番茄根结线虫病的诱导效果及引起连作障碍的微生态机制,可为深入了解番茄连作障碍发生机理及探究番茄连作障碍防治方法提供科学依据。本研究利用盆栽试验,测定了番茄在健康土壤及接种病土土壤中生物学特性变化及根结线虫侵染状况,并分析鉴定了土壤中微生物及线虫的种类与数量。结果表明,接种连作番茄根结线虫病株根区病土会对番茄生长及根结线虫侵染产生影响:1)番茄苗期根系根结数达9个?株~(-1),健康土壤无根结;土壤线虫数量较健康土壤增加390.4%;收获期番茄根结线虫侵染率达62.7%,病情指数为80.0%。2)番茄生长受到抑制,叶片防御酶活性降低,收获期茎叶及根系鲜质量较健康土壤分别减少50.2%及33.1%,苗期番茄叶片PPO活性较健康土壤降低15.8%,POD活性较健康土壤增加24.0%,差异均达显著水平(P0.05)。3)番茄根系更易感染有害菌,根系内病原菌甘蓝假单胞菌数量较健康土壤增加463倍,根区土壤细菌、真菌及放线菌总数分别增加46.3%、94.5%及134.0%。4)食细菌线虫、食真菌线虫及植物寄生性线虫数量分别为健康根区土壤的3.3倍、1.6倍及7.3倍,其中的植物寄生线虫95.6%为根结线虫。综上所述,接入连作番茄根结线虫病株根区病土不仅导致番茄遭受根结线虫侵染,而且会导致土壤线虫总量及植物寄生线虫所占比例大幅增加,并使番茄根系内有害细菌数量显著增加,对番茄生长造成显著抑制作用,同时影响番茄的生理生化特性,受线虫侵染番茄防御性酶活性降低,使其更易被根结线虫及病原菌侵染,番茄根区土壤线虫、微生物及根系内优势细菌的种类与数量及其之间的作用发生改变。     

Identification and localization of food-source microbial nucleic acids inside soil nematodes

Microorganisms (e.g., prokaryotes, fungi) are food sources for soil nematodes, but they can also be potential mutualists or pathogens. Understanding the linkages between microorganism and invertebrate diversity in soils requires the ability to distinguish between these microbial roles. We tested the potential of a taxon-specific fluorescent in situ hybridization (FISH) procedure for identifying and localizing microbial rRNA within the bodies of soil nematodes. Our objective was to determine whether the rate of digestion permitted detection and identification of food-source nucleic acids within the nematode digestive system (i.e., pharynges, intestines) before their breakdown. First, using laboratory cultures of Caenorhabditis elegans maintained on Escherichia coli, we were able to localize bacterial rRNA throughout the nematode pharynx with the universal bacterial-probe EUB338, although never in the intestines. Second, we applied the fungal rRNA probe FR1 to Aphelenchus avenae cultured on the fungus Rhizoctonia solani. We were unable to detect fungal rRNA within these nematodes, and it appears that this material may be digested rapidly. Next, we applied our technique to nematodes extracted directly from soils. We were able to localize bacterial rRNA within the pharynges of bacterial-feeding species of nematodes from desert soils. We also localized archaeal rRNA using the probe ARC344. Finally, application of EUB338 to desert soil nematodes revealed the presence of bacteria in the intestines of some nematodes and within the ovary of a single nematode. This technique has great potential for use in understanding the feeding behavior of bacterial-feeding soil nematodes and in studies of nematode:bacterial relationships.