Interactions between plant species and mycorrhizal colonization on the bacterial community composition in the rhizosphere

This study assessed the effect of mycorrhizal colonization by Glomus intraradices (Gi) and G. versiforme (Gv) on the bacterial community composition in the rhizosphere of canola, clover and two tomato genotypes (wild type (76R) and its mutant with reduced mycorrhizal colonization (rmc)). Additionally, the effect of light intensity on the rhizosphere bacterial community composition of the tomato genotypes was studied. The bacterial community composition was assessed by denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE). In canola, which is considered to be a non-mycorrhizal species, inoculation with Gi increased the shoot dw compared to Gv and the non-mycorrhizal control plants and also induced changes in the bacterial community composition in the rhizosphere. These fungal effects were observed although less than 8% of the root length of canola was colonized. On the other hand, about 50% of the root length of clover was colonized and inoculation with Gv resulted in a higher shoot dw compared to Gi or the control plants but the rhizosphere bacterial community composition was not affected by inoculation. Plant growth, mycorrhizal colonization and bacterial community composition of the two tomato genotypes were affected by a complex interaction between tomato genotype, AM fungal species and light intensity. Low light intensity (photosynthetic photon flux 200–250 μmol m⁻² s⁻¹) increased the shoot–root ratio in both genotypes and reduced colonization in the wild type. The differences in bacterial community composition between the two genotypes were more pronounced at low than at high light intensity (550–650 μmol m⁻² s⁻¹).     

菊花不同部位及根际土壤水浸液处理对光合作用的自毒作用研究

菊花[Dendranthema morifolium(Ramat)Tzvel.]的自毒作用是菊花连作障碍发生机理研究的重要内容之一.本文研究了连作障碍比较明显的菊花栽培种"高压太子"不同部位(枯落物、叶、茎和根系)及根际土壤水浸液处理对盆栽同种菊花光合作用的影响,结果表明:不同部位和根际土壤水浸液处理对叶片叶绿素含量、净光合速率及气孔导度均表现出抑制趋势,而暗呼吸速率却受到促进,尤以地上部水浸液的抑制作用为显著.说明降低自身叶绿素含量、净光合速率及气孔导度,即抑制自身的光合作用,同时促进自身暗呼吸是菊花自毒作用的机制之一.     

Arbuscular mycorrhizal dependency of different plant species and cultivars

The degree of plant growth change associated with arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) colonization is expressed as mycorrhizal dependency (MD). In this review, previous reports on the differences in MD among plant species or cultivars were surveyed, and the factors affecting the differences are discussed. Mean values of MD were 44% for field crops (37 species), 56% for forage crops (46 species), 70% for wild grasses and forbs (140 species), 79% for trees (26 species), and 56% for all plants (250 species), indicating that the cultivated plant species showed a lower MD than the wild plant species. MD was negatively correlated with root morphological characteristics such as root length, root dry weight, root hair length, density of root hairs, the ability of roots to acquire phosphate from soil, and the phosphorus utilization efficiency of the host plant. Inoculation of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) for low input systems should be carried out in considering differences in MD.     

Phosphorus losses from two representative small catchments in the Mediterranean part of Spain

Purpose

Information about phosphorus (P) losses from agricultural catchments in Mediterranean environments is scarce. In this work, P losses in overland flow from two representative small Mediterranean catchments, one dominated by Alfisols and the other by Vertisols, were studied.

Materials and methods

At the lowest level of each catchment, overland flow was measured and several runoff samples taken in each runoff event during two growing seasons (2001–2002 and 2002–2003). After centrifugation, total P in sediments and total and molybdate reactive P in supernatant were determined. Different chemical extraction methods were used to quantify the forms of P in soils and sediments.

Results and discussion

Total P losses in the studied catchments ranged between 0.5 and 3.2 kg ha^?1 year^?1, losses higher than 2 kg P ha^?1 being observed in one event. Phosphorus was mainly lost in the sediments, the ratio of total dissolved P to particulate P being higher in the Alfisol than in the Vertisol catchment. Phosphorus concentration in sediments from the Vertisol catchment was similar to that in the source soils, whereas sediments in the Alfisol catchment had 2.1 times more inorganic P and 9 times more organic P (OP) than the source soils. In the latter catchment, there was an enrichment in the more labile inorganic P forms in the sediments relative to the source soils, which corresponds to a relative enrichment in iron (Fe) oxides by a factor of 2.4. Alfisols had lower TP contents and exhibited lower erosion rates than Vertisols in the studied period but they posed a greater environmental risk than the latter soils because their sediments were richer in P and had a higher proportion of P in forms bound to the Fe oxides compared to the source soils—these P forms can be easily released with the onset of reducing conditions at the bottom of waterbodies.

Conclusions

A study of the P enrichment ratios and the dominant P forms in eroded sediments is therefore necessary to predict the impact of P losses from soils on the ecological quality of waterbodies.     

黄土高原柠条锦鸡儿根际AM真菌生态学研究

对陕西省延安、绥德、横山和榆林4个自然生境下柠条根际AM真菌空间分布和土壤成分进行测定分析。结果表明,AM真菌泡囊定殖率及孢子密度与样地生态条件密切相关,泡囊定殖率和孢子密度在绥德最高,丛枝定殖率在榆林最高。采样深度对孢子密度有显著影响,最大孢子密度发生在10～20cm土层,而AM真菌定殖率在0～10cm或20～30cm土层有最大值。孢子密度与泡囊定殖率呈正相关,与丛枝定殖率呈负相关。孢子密度与土壤有机质、速效磷、速效钾和Cl-含量呈负相关,泡囊定殖率与土壤pH呈正相关,而与土壤湿度、速效钾和Cl-含量呈负相关。土样中AM真菌多为球囊霉属(Glomus)种类,也有少数无梗囊霉属(Acaulospora)和巨孢囊霉属(Scutellospora)种类。建议孢子密度和泡囊定殖率可作为检测土壤环境状况的指标。     

Bacterial diversity in the rhizosphere of two phylogenetically closely related plant species across environmental gradients

Purpose

Rhizosphere soil bacterial communities are crucial to plant growth, health, and stress resistance. In order to detect how bacterial communities associated with the rhizosphere of phylogenetically related plant species vary in terms of composition, function, and diversity, we investigated the rhizosphere bacterial community structure of two perennial shrub species, Caragana jubata and Caragana roborovskyi, under natural field conditions in northwest China and analyzed the influence of soil properties and environmental factors.

Materials and methods

Eighteen root samples, eight for C. jubata, and ten for C. roborovskyi, along with any adherent soil particles, were collected from multiple sites in northwest China. The rhizosphere soil was washed from the roots, and bacterial communities were analyzed using Illumina MiSeq sequencing of 16S rRNA gene amplicons. Then, α-diversity and β-diversity were calculated using QIIME.

Results and discussion

Across species, Proteobacteria (29 %), Actinobacteria (15 %), Chloroflexi (10 %), Acidobacteria (10 %), Bacteroidetes (8 %), Firmicutes (8 %), Planctomycetes (7 %), Gemmatimonadetes (4 %), and Verrucomicrobia (3 %) were the most abundant phyla in the rhizosphere of C. jubata and C. roborovskyi. However, principal co-ordinates analysis indicated strong interspecific patterns of bacterial rhizosphere communities. Further, the richness of Proteobacteria, Acidobacteria, Bacteroidetes, Verrucomicrobia, Firmicutes, and Nitrospirae was significantly higher in the rhizosphere of C. jubata compared with C. roborovskyi, while the opposite was found for Actinobacteria and Cyanobacteria. However, the Shannon index showed no significant difference in α-diversity between C. jubata and C. roborovskyi. Distance-based redundancy analysis indicated that soil properties and environmental factors exerted strong influences on the structure of the rhizosphere bacterial community and explained 47 and 46 % of community variances between samples, respectively.

Conclusions

Our results showed strong interspecific clustering of the bacterial rhizosphere communities of C. roborovskyi and C. jubata. Altitude explained most of the variation in the composition of bacterial rhizosphere communities of C. roborovskyi and C. jubata, followed by soil pH, water content, organic matter content, total nitrogen content, and mean annual rainfall.

     

Influence of different plant species on water repellency in Mediterranean heathland soils

It is established that soil hydrophobicity reduces soil infiltration rates, and enhances runoff flow and soil erosion. Water repellency has been studied with special interest in coniferous and eucalyptus forests, particularly after burning, but the number of studies concerning Mediterranean heathlands is still very low. In this paper, we study the occurrence and persistence of water repellency in soil samples collected under different plant species susceptible to induce soil hydrophobicity (Erica arborea, Erica australis, Calluna vulgaris, Quercus lusitanica and Rhododendron ponticum) in a natural protected area in southern Spain. Great attention has been paid to the relationships between soil water repellency and environmental factors as organic matter content and soil acidity. The largest hydrophobicity was measured in soil samples collected under E. australis, E. arborea and C. vulgaris. For these species, the organic matter content and pH showed positive and negative correlations with the persistence of water repellency, respectively. The hydrophobicity originated by humic substances in the soil seems to be the only explanation for slight soil water repellency under Q. lusitanica or R. ponticum. The patchy patterns of occurrence and persistence of soil water repellency is governed by the spatial distribution of the studied species and modulated by other factors. Soil surface water repellent layers reduce the infiltration rates and limit the water storage capacity. However, the macropore flow can be enhanced on non-repellent layers, cracks or roots such us the wetting's front shown. The vegetation effects on soil hydrology should be considered for afforestation works and flooding control.     

Identification of culturable microbial functional groups isolated from the rhizosphere of four species of mangroves and their biotechnological potential

This study identified microbial functional groups like total culturable bacteria, potential N₂-fixing free living bacteria, N₂-fixing hydrocarbonoclastic bacteria, N-assimilating hydrocarbonoclastic bacteria, total fungi, actinobacteria, P-solubilizers, lipolytic microorganisms, and starch, cellulose, pectin and protein degrading microorganisms, isolated from the rhizosphere of four species of mangroves (Red, Black, White, and Button) from the natural protected area at the Terminos Lagoon, Campeche, México. Overall, microbial populations showed significant differences (P < 0.05) among the four mangrove species. The rhizosphere of White mangrove showed better chemical and textural soil properties, and harbored the highest microbial populations when compared to the remaining mangrove species. The principal component analysis indicated that two components accounted the 85.3% of the total variation. The most significant textural and chemical soil properties were the major components, CP1 (organic matter and total organic carbon) and CP2 (sand and clay). Microbial populations correlated (P < 0.05, Pearson coefficient) with sand and clay particles, and with some soil chemical properties such as organic matter. The total nitrogen and organic carbon significantly correlated with cellulose degraders, while phosphorus with N₂-fixing bacteria, total fungi, and with pectin and starch degraders.     

Contribution of exudates,arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi and litter depositions to the rhizosphere priming effect induced by grassland species

The presence of plants induces strong accelerations in soil organic matter (SOM) mineralization by stimulating soil microbial activity – a phenomenon known as the rhizosphere priming effect (RPE). The RPE could be induced by several mechanisms including root exudates, arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) and root litter. However the contribution of each of these to rhizosphere priming is unknown due to the complexity involved in studying rhizospheric processes. In order to determine the role of each of these mechanisms, we incubated soils enclosed in nylon meshes that were permeable to exudates, or exudates & AMF or exudates, AMF and roots under three grassland plant species grown on sand. Plants were continuously labeled with ¹³C depleted CO₂ that allowed distinguishing plant-derived CO₂ from soil-derived CO₂. We show that root exudation was the main way by which plants induced RPE (58–96% of total RPE) followed by root litter. AMF did not contribute to rhizosphere priming under the two species that were significantly colonized by them i.e. Poa trivialis and Trifolium repens. Root exudates and root litter differed with respect to their mechanism of inducing RPE. Exudates induced RPE without increasing microbial biomass whereas root litter increased microbial biomass and raised the RPE mediating saprophytic fungi. The RPE efficiency (RPE/unit plant-C assimilated into microbes) was 3–7 times higher for exudates than for root litter. This efficiency of exudates is explained by a microbial allocation of fresh carbon to mineralization activity rather than to growth. These results suggest that root exudation is the main way by which plants stimulated mineralization of soil organic matter. Moreover, the plants through their exudates not only provide energy to soil microorganisms but also seem to control the way the energy is used in order to maximize soil organic matter mineralization and drive their own nutrient supply.     

Effects of arbuscular mycorrhizal colonisation on shoot and root decomposition of different plant species and species mixtures

We studied the decomposition of shoot and root tissues of four plant species from central Argentina belonging to contrasting functional types: a deciduous shrub (Acacia caven), a perennial forb (Hyptis mutabilis), an annual forb (Bidens pilosa) and a tussock grass (Jarava pseudoichu). They were grown from seed in a greenhouse in isolation or in 2- or 4-species mixtures, with and without arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF), and then placed to decompose under natural conditions in the field. AMF significantly enhanced decomposition of shoots, but not that of roots, independently of species identity and species-mixture composition. Our results suggest that AMF may be significantly affecting ecosystem functioning through the observed plant-mediated effects on decomposition.     

Differential effect of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungal communities from ecosystems along management gradient on the growth of forest understorey plant species

Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) are important functional components of ecosystems. Although there is accumulating knowledge about AMF diversity in different ecosystems, the effect of forest management on diversity and functional characteristics of AMF communities has not been addressed. Here, we used soil inoculum representing three different AM fungal communities (from a young forest stand, an old forest stand and an arable field) in a greenhouse experiment to investigate their effect on the growth of three plant species with contrasting local distributions - Geum rivale, Trifolium pratense and Hypericum maculatum. AM fungal communities in plant roots were analysed using the terminal restriction fragment length polymorphism (T-RFLP) method. The effect of natural AMF communities from the old and young forest on the growth of studied plant species was similar. However, the AMF community from the contrasting arable ecosystems increased H. maculatum root and shoot biomass compared with forest inocula and T. pratense root biomass compared to sterile control. According to ordination analysis AMF inocula from old and young forest resulted in similar root AMF communities whilst plants grown with AM fungi from arable field hosted a different AMF community from those grown with old forest inocula. AMF richness in plant roots was not related to the origin of AMF inoculum. G. rivale hosted a significantly different AM fungal community to that of T. pratense and H. maculatum. We conclude that although the composition of AM fungal communities in intensively managed stands differed from that of old stands, the ecosystem can still offer the ‘symbiotic service’ necessary for the restoration of a characteristic old growth understorey plant community.     

苹果树根际促生细菌种群分析

利用选择性培养基, 对多年生苹果树根际与连作幼树根际促生细菌进行了分离和测数, 并采用BOX-PCR技术进行聚类分析。结果表明: 多年生苹果树根际细菌总量及固氮细菌、解磷细菌、硅酸盐细菌、拮抗细菌4类根际促生细菌的数量均高于连作幼树根际。在多年生苹果树根际, 硅酸盐细菌的数量最大, 解磷细菌和固氮细菌的数量次之, 拮抗细菌的数量最小; 在连作幼树根际, 解磷细菌的数量最大, 硅酸盐细菌和固氮细菌的数量次之, 拮抗细菌的数量最小。从两种土壤中获得的促生细菌分离株的BOX-PCR图谱最大的相异百分数都在1.25以上, 说明这些细菌分离株的遗传进化距离比较接近。在细菌BOX-PCR图谱相异百分数为0.25的水平上, 多年生苹果树根际促生细菌分为79个聚类群, 其中固氮细菌18个聚类群, 解磷细菌29个聚类群, 硅酸盐细菌19个聚类群, 拮抗细菌18个聚类群; 连作幼树根际促生细菌分为46个聚类群, 其中固氮细菌15个聚类群, 解磷细菌19个聚类群, 硅酸盐细菌8个聚类群, 拮抗细菌9个聚类群。多年生苹果树4类根际促生细菌的多样性、丰富度和均匀度指数均高于连作幼树根际, 而优势度指数低于连作幼树根际。与连作幼树相比, 多年生苹果树根际促生细菌具有丰富的种属多样性。     

The impacts of individual plant species on rhizosphere microbial communities in soils of different fertility

To investigate the effects of individual plant species on microbial community properties in soils of differing fertility, a microcosm experiment was carried out using plant species representative of the dominant flora in semi-fertile temperate grasslands of northern England. Soil microbial biomass and activity were found to be significantly greater in the more fertile, agriculturally improved soil than in the less productive unimproved meadow soil. Differences in microbial community structure were also evident between the two soils, with fungal abundance being greater in the unimproved soil type. Individual plant species effects significantly differed between the two soils. Holcus lanatus and Anthoxanthum odoratum stimulated microbial biomass in the improved soil type, but negatively affected this measure in the unimproved soil. In both soil types, herb species generally had negative effects on microbial biomass. Patterns for microbial activity were less consistent, but as with microbial biomass, A. odoratum and H. lanatus promoted respiration, whereas the herbs negatively affected this measure. All plant species grown in the improved soil increased the abundance of fatty acids synthesised by bacteria (bacterial phospholipid fatty acid analysis) relative to bare soil, but they negatively impacted on this group of fatty acids in unimproved soil. Similarly, the abundance of the fungal fatty acid 18:26 was increased by all plants in the more fertile improved soil only, albeit non-significantly. Our data indicate that effects of plant species on microbial properties differ markedly in soils of differing fertility, making general predictions about how individual plants impact on soil properties difficult to make.     

Molecular community analysis of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi associated with five selected plant species from heavy metal polluted soils

Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) are known to play an important role in plant tolerance to heavy metals (HMs) stress. This study aimed to understand the diversity of AMF communities associated with five selected plant species (Phytolacca americana, Rehmannia glutinosa, Perilla frutescens, Litsea cubeba and Dysphania ambrosioides) from severely HMs polluted soils in Dabaoshan Mine region, China, using molecular methods. Plant roots and rhizospheric soils were sampled from four sites, respectively. Targeting the fungal small subunit (SSU) rRNA gene, PCR-denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE) analysis indicated that varied AMF communities colonized different plant species, and the AMF communities in rhizospheric soils were different from those in plant roots. Total six SSU rRNA gene clone libraries including four root samples and two rhizospheric soil samples were constructed. Screening clone libraries by DGGE and sequence analysis revealed that Glomus dominated all of the samples except for the roots of D. ambrosioides, while Kuklospora and Ambispora dominated the roots of D. ambrosioides and the rhizosphere of P. americana. This study indicates that diverse AMF are associated with these selected plants, and they are potentially useful to promote the phytoremediation of this HMs polluted area.     

Arbuscular mycorrhizal colonization and phosphorus acquisition of plants: effects of coexisting plant species

Arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi influence interactions among plant species through enhancing nutrient uptake and possibly facilitating nutrient transport among plants. However, the effects of one plant species on coexisting plant species with regard to mycorrhizal colonization are not well understood. We examined root mycorrhizal colonization and phosphorus (P) acquisition of plants in a highly P-limiting soil in Lanxi city, Zhejiang, China from the year 2000 to 2002. Three dominant native plant species with different mycorrhizal properties, Digitaria ciliaris (poorly mycorrhizal species), Ixeris denticulate (moderately mycorrhizal species) and Kummerowia striata (highly mycorrhizal species), were planted in experimental plots. In the monocultures, K. striata was found to have the highest infection and D. ciliaris the lowest mycorrhizal infection, but shoot P-concentration was higher in both I. denticulate and D. ciliaris than that in K. striata. In the mixtures, D. ciliaris and I. denticulate did not significantly affect the mycorrhizal colonization, spore production and shoot P-concentration of K. striata plants, but K. striata and I. denticulate significantly increased root mycorrhizal colonization and shoot P-concentration of D. ciliaris. K. striata enhanced but D. ciliaris reduced mycorrhizal infection and shoot P-concentration of I. denticulate. These results suggested that highly mycorrhizal plant species may positively impact coexisting species with respect to mycorrhizal colonization and P acquisition, but the effects on poorly mycorrhizal species are less predictable.     

苎麻根际土壤水浸提液化感潜力评价

【目的】通过苎麻根际土壤水浸提液有机化合物的分离鉴定及生物学实验,探讨了苎麻败蔸与化感作用的关系。【方法】运用气相色谱-质谱联用技术 (GC-MS),对苎麻根际土壤的不同极性有机溶剂萃取液进行了物质成分分析;采用室内生物测定方法,研究了不同浓度苎麻根际土壤水浸提液对萝卜、油菜、拟南芥 3 种植物的化感效应;并应用实时定量 PCR 技术 (QPCR),测定了不同浓度根际土壤水浸液处理后拟南芥其抗逆基因 RD29A (AT5G52310) 和 RD29B (AT5G52300) 及生长素合成相关基因 YUC1 (AT4G32540) 的相对表达水平。【结果】四种不同极性有机溶剂萃取液经 GC-MS 检测共鉴定出 51 种有机化学物质,包括烃类及其衍生物、甾类化合物、苯甲酸及其衍生物、酚类、萜类、含氮类等已被报道具有化感活性的化合物。不同浓度苎麻根际土壤水浸液对 3 种不同植物的下胚轴长及根长的化感效应具有差异性,随着浸提液浓度增加,对油菜及拟南芥抑制作用越显著,但对萝卜的影响不显著。QPCR 检测结果表明,拟南芥的 RD29A、RD29B、YUC1 这 3 种基因的表达量随水浸提液浓度增加均降低。【结论】苎麻根际土壤中含有抑制自身生长的潜在化感物质豆甾-4-烯-3,6-二酮,2,5-二叔丁基苯酚,邻苯二甲酸二乙酯,6,6-二甲基-1,3-庚二烯-5-醇,羊毛甾-8,24-二烯-3,22-二醇。高浓度苎麻根际土壤水浸提液对供试三种植物下胚轴长及根长具有抑制效果,因此,连作导致的化感物质累积可能是连作导致苎麻败蔸的原因之一。     

Under filed conditions,mycorrhizal inoculum effectiveness depends on plant species and phosphorus nutrition

Abstract

The cultivation of horticultural crops, such as green peppers, tomatoes, eggplants and bell peppers is very common in semi-arid Mediterranean climate conditions. Two field experiments were performed to determine the effect of mycorrhizal species, plant species and phosphorus levels on mycorrhizal effectiveness and phosphorus (P) and zinc (Zn) nutrient uptake. In the first experiment, under field conditions, four plants species were inoculated with five arbuscular mycorrhizae (AM) species. In the second field experiment, under the same soil conditions, the same plant species were treated with three levels of phosphorus (P), i.e., control; 50?kg and 100?kg P₂O₅ ha^?1. The most effective mycorrhiza species Claroideoglomus etunicatum selected in the first experiment was used in the second field first experiment. In the first experiment, fruit yield enhancement, yield increase, inoculation effectiveness and nutrient concentration in the plant leaves were analyzed. Under field conditions, plant species growth is strongly dependent on the species of AM fungi. Tomato and green pepper plants were inoculated with Cl. etunicatum, eggplants were inoculated with Funneliformis mosseae and bell peppers were inoculated with Rhizophagus clarus, which are high fruit-yielding plant species. In general, Fu. mosseae and Cl. etunicatum increased the yield of the tomatoes, green peppers and eggplants. It seems mycorrhiza species specific to plant species. In the second experiment, mycorrhizal inoculation with P fertilizer application, in particular a moderate amount of P (50?kg ha^?1 P₂O₅) fertilizer increased the green pepper, bell pepper and tomato fruit yield compared with non-inoculated plants and non-P fertilizer application treatments. Increasing the application of P level reduced the mycorrhizal inoculation effectiveness (MIE). The results indicate that for all four solanaceae family plants 50?kg ha^?1 P₂O₅ is a P level threshold for mycorrhizal development, which enhanced plant growth and addition of fertilizer over 50?kg ha^?1 P₂O₅ reduced MIE. P and Zn uptake were significantly increased with mycorrhizal inoculation. These findings are supported by our hypothesis that mycorrhiza inoculation can reduce mycorrhizal dependent horticultural plants P fertilizer requirement.     

In Situ extraction of rhizosphere organic compounds from contrasting plant communities

Abstract

Currently there is no effective method for capture, identification and quantification of root exudates and rhizosphere secondary metabolites in situ. The purpose of the work reported was to assess if capsules containing non‐ionic carbonaceous resins could be used to non‐destructively sample and compare rhizosphere organic compounds associated with contrasting plant communities. Polyester capsules (Unibest, Inc., Bozeman, MT) containing non‐ionic carbonaceous resins, Ambersorb 563 or XAD‐7 (Rohm and Haas, Inc.), were placed within the rhizosphere of spotted knapweed (Centaurea maculosa), and the native grass, Idaho fescue (Festuca idahoensis), as well as a bare‐soil control in both greenhouse and field studies. At the end a 14‐day period, resins were removed and extracted with sequential elution by water, 50% methanol, and 100% methanol. The eluent fractions were then analyzed for total organic carbon (TOC), total hexose sugars as anthrone reactive carbon (ARC), and total phenols. Samples were then concentrated by rotary evaporating to dryness and analyzed on HPLC equipped with a C‐18 column and tunable ultra‐violet (UV) detector or a photodiode array (PDA) detector. Ambersorb 563 resin extracts from greenhouse and field trials consistently showed 2 times more soluble C and 3–7 times more total soluble sugars in the rhizosphere of knapweed compared to Idaho fescue during the 1996 and 1997 field seasons. This difference was not observed using the XAD‐7 resins during the rather wet field season of 1998. In these studies fescue was found to release higher levels of sugars than knapweed, but not significantly different than control soils. Compounds sorbed to the resins from the knapweed rhizosphere were more effectively eluted by methanol than water and demonstrated both the presence of carbohydrate groups and UV absorption. The XAD‐7 resins allow for sorption of phenolic compounds similar to that of Ambersorb 563, but allow for far greater desorption of these compounds. Non‐ionic resins may provide an effective means of capturing rhizosphere organic compounds in situ, but the low concentrations of sorbed compounds may limit their utility.     

Interactions between mycorrhizal fungi and Collembola: effects on root structure of competing plant species

Mycorrhizal fungi influence plant nutrition and therefore likely modify competition between plants. By affecting mycorrhiza formation and nutrient availability of plants, Collembola may influence competitive interactions of plant roots. We investigated the effect of Collembola (Protaphorura fimata Gisin), a mycorrhizal fungus (Glomus intraradices Schenck and Smith), and their interaction on plant growth and root structure of two plant species, Lolium perenne L. (perennial ryegrass) and Trifolium repens L. (white clover). In a laboratory experiment, two individuals of each plant species were grown either in monoculture or in competition to the respective other plant species. Overall, L. perenne built up more biomass than T. repens. The clover competed poorly with grass, whereas the L. perenne grew less in presence of conspecifics. In particular, presence of conspecifics in the grass and presence of grass in clover reduced shoot and root biomass, root length, number of root tips, and root volume. Collembola reduced shoot biomass in L. perenne, enhanced root length and number of root tips, but reduced root diameter and volume. The effects of Collembola on T. repens were less pronounced, but Collembola enhanced root length and number of root tips. In contrast to our hypothesis, changes in plant biomass and root structure in the presence of Collembola were not associated with a reduction in mycorrhizal formation. Presumably, Collembola affected root structure via changes in the amount of nutrients available and their spatial distribution.     

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.