AM真菌群落改善保护地退化土壤质量和黄瓜生长的效应

A pot experiment was performed to determine the effects of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi(AMF) communities on soil properties and the growth of cucumber seedlings in a degraded soil that had been used for continuous cucumber monoculture in a greenhouse for 15 years.In the experiment,AMF communities(created by combining various AMF species that were found to be dominant in natural farm soil) were inoculated into the degraded soil,and then the soil was planted with cucumber.Inoculation with AMF communities did not affect soil pH but increased soil aggregate stability and decreased the concentrations of salt ions and electrical conductivity(EC) in the soil.Inoculation with AMF communities increased the numbers of culturable bacteria and actinomycetes but reduced the number of fungi.AMF communities increased plant growth,soluble sugar content,chlorophyll content,and root activity compared to non-mycorrhizal or a single AMF species treatments.Improvements of soil quality and plant growth were greatest with the following two communities:Glomus etunicatum + G.mosseae + Gigaspora margarita + Acaulospora lacunosa and G.aggregatum + G.etunicatum + G.mosseae + G.versiforme + G.margarita + A.lacunosa.The results suggested that certain AMF communities could substantially improve the quality of degraded soil.     

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.     

中国云南省滇池盆地东南区由于土地利用方式的变化（从水田变为旱地或温室土壤）导致土壤理化性质的变化研究

Paddy fields in the southeastern basin of Dianchi Lake have rapidly changed to greenhouses since 1999. A total of 61 surface soil samples, including 43 greenhouse soils, 12 upland soils, and 6 paddy soils, were collected from a flat lowland area mainly used for agricultural production fields in the southeastern basin of Dianchi Lake. Analyses of the soil samples indicated that the greenhouse soils were characterized by a lower organic matter content, lower pH, and higher soluble nutrients than the paddy soils in the area. The lower organic matter content of the greenhouse soils was ascribed to environmental or management factors rather than the clay content of the soil. Accumulation of soluble nutrients, especially inorganic N, was due to over-application of fertilizers, which also caused soil acidification. The average amount of readily available N, P, and K accumulated in the greenhouse soils was estimated to be equal to or higher than the annual input of these nutrients as a fertilizer, indicating that a reduction in fertilizer application was possible and recommended. In contrast, a very low available Si content was observed in the paddy soils, suggesting the need for Si application for rice production.     

不同肥力水平和利用历史的红壤磷脂脂肪酸图谱

Analysis of phospholipid fatty acids(PLFAs) was used to estimate the microbial community structures of eight Chinese red soils with different fertility levels and land use histories.The total amounts of PLFAs in the soils were significantly correltaed with soil organic carbon, total nitrogen,microbial biomass C and basal respiration,indicating that total PLFA was closely related to fertility and sustainbility in these highly weathered soils.Soils of the eroded wastelan were rich in Gram-positive species .When the eroded soils were planted with citrus trees,the soil microbial population had changed little in 4 years but took up to 8-12 yearss before it reached a significantly different population,Multivariate analysis of PLFAs demonstrated that land use history and plant cover type had a significant impact on microbial community structure.Howver,the difference of soil microbial community structure in the paddy field compared to other land uses was not larger than expected in this experiment.     

利用PCR-DGGE技术研究长期自然恢复、种植作物和裸地条件下黑土土壤细菌群落结构变化

Soil microbial biomass and community structures are commonly used as indicators for soil quality and fertility. A investigation was performed to study the effects of long-term natural restoration, cropping, and bare fallow managements on the soil microbial biomass and bacterial community structures in depths of 0--10, 20--30, and 40--50 cm in a black soil (Mollisol). Microbial biomass was estimated from chloroform fumigation-extraction, and bacterial community structures were determined by analysis of 16S rDNA using polymerase chain reaction-denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (PCR-DGGE). Experimental results showed that microbial biomass significantly declined with soil depth in the managements of restoration and cropping, but not in the bare fallow. DGGE profiles indicated that the band number in top 0--10 cm soils was less than that in depth of 20--30 or 40--50 cm. These suggested that the microbial population was high but the bacterial community structure was simple in the topsoil. Cluster and principle component analysis based on DGGE banding patterns showed that the bacterial community structure was affected by soil depth more primarily than by managements, and the succession of bacterial community as increase of soil depth has a similar tendency in the three managements. Fourteen predominating DGGE bands were excised and sequenced, in which 6 bands were identified as the taxa of Verrucomicrobia, 2 bands as Actinobacteria, 2 bands as α-Proteobacteria, and the other 4 bands as δ-Proteobacteria, Acidobacteria, Nitrospira, and unclassified bacteria. In addition, the sequences of 11 DGGE bands were closely related to uncultured bacteria. Thus, the bacterial community structure in black soil was stable, and the predominating bacterial groups were uncultured.     

Root Exudation of Organic Acids of Herbaceous Pioneer Plants and Their Growth in Sterile and Non-Sterile Nutrient-Poor, Sandy Soils from Post-Mining Sites

Nutrient-poor, sandy soils form the prevailing substrate at post-mining sites of the Lusatian region(Brandenburg, Germany) and present a challenge for vegetation development. We studied the organic acid quantity and composition of three commonly occurring pioneer plant species, the legumes Lotus corniculatus L. and Trifolium arvense L. and the grass Calamagrostis epigeios(L.) Roth, to determine if plant growth and exudation differed with(non-sterilized soil) and without(sterilized soil) an indigenous soil microbial community. We investigated whether organic acids were found in the rhizosphere and surrounding soil and whether this influenced nutrient mobilization. This study consists of linked field investigations and a greenhouse experiment. Plants were grown in the greenhouse in either sterilized or non-sterilized sandy soil from a reclamation site in the Lusatian mining landscape(Welzow Su¨d, East Germany). After seven months, the plant biomass, root morphology, organic acids, and water-soluble nutrients and root colonization with arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi(AMF) and dark septate endophytes(DSE) were analyzed. Roots of all three plants in the field and greenhouse experiments were highly colonized with AMF. Calamagrostis epigeios and T. arvense had a significantly higher colonization frequency with DSE than L. corniculatus. The quantity and composition of organic acids strongly differed among plant species, with the highest number of organic acids found for L. corniculatus and lowest for C. epigeios. The quantity of organic acids was greatly reduced in all plants under sterilized soil conditions. However, the composition of organic acids and plant growth in sterilized soil were reduced for both legumes, but not for C. epigeios, which had a higher biomass under sterilized conditions. Changes in nutrient concentrations in the field rhizosphere soil relative to those in the control were measurable after seven months. While the spectrum of organic acids and the growth of legumes seemed to be dependent on a highly diverse soil microbial community and a symbiotic partner, the grass C. epigeios appeared capable of mobilizing enough nutrients without an indigenous microbial community, and might be more competitive on sites where soil microbial diversity and activity are low.     

温室土壤食物网静态和动态结构特征

Soil food web structure is fundamental to ecosystem process and function; most studies on soil food web structure have focused on agro-ecosystems under different management practices and natural terrestrial ecosystems, but seldom on greenhouses. This study explored the static and temporal variability of soil food structure in two greenhouses of Shandong Province, North China over a two-year period. The static properties were measured directly by surveying functional group composition and a series of parameters portraying the species properties, link properties, chain properties and omnivory properties of the web, as well as indirectly through calculation of nematode indices, enrichment index （EI）, structure index （SI）, and channel index （CI）. The dynamic variability of greenhouse soil food structure was described by the dynamics of functional groups, Bray-Curtis （BC） similarity and cluster analysis. The results showed that the greenhouse soil food web contained 14 functional groups, with microbes having the highest mean biomass, followed by protozoa. Of the three functional groups of protozoa, flagellates were the dominant group on most sampling dates, amoebae only became the dominant group during the summer, while ciliates were the least prevalent group. All nematodes were assigned into one of the four functional groups, bacterivorous, fungivorous, herbivorous and omnivorous, and the fungivorous nematodes had the lowest mean biomass. Mites were assigned into three functional groups and the omnivorous noncryptostigmatic mites were the dominant group. All the functional groups showed significant seasonal changes. The soil food web connectance was 0.15, the maximum food chain length was 5, and the average food chain length was 3.6. The profiles of the EI and SI showed that the food web was resource- depleted with minimal structure. The results of CI indicated that the bacterial decomposition pathway was the dominant pathway in the food web of the greenhouse soils studied and the results of BC similarity showed that the soil food web had higher variability and instability over time. The cluster analysis showed that the functional groups located at high trophic levels with low biomass were in a cluster, whereas those at low trophic levels with high biomass were closer. Compared with the food web structure of agroecosystem and natural terrestrial ecosystem soils, the structure of greenhouse soil food web was simple and unstable, which was likely driven by high agricultural intensification, particularly over application of fertilizers.     

引种植物江南桤木改变了土著芦苇根际细菌群落的结构和多样性

Alnus trabeculosa, a rhizobia-nodulating tree, was introduced into the Chongxi tidal wetland in the Yangtze River estuary of China to increase the biodiversity of plants and restore tidal wetland functions. However, the effect of the introduced plant on soil bacterial communities and restoration outcomes remains unknown. In this study, the rhizosphere bacterial community structure and diversity were compared between Phragmites australis monospecific community and A. trabeculosa-P. australis mixed communities,aiming to assess whether A. trabeculosa influenced the rhizosphere bacterial communities of P. australis and to investigate whether different taxonomic groups within a soil community may respond similarly to the presence of an introduced exotic plant. Among the14 phylogenetic phyla detected, Proteobacteria and Acidobacteria were the dominant bacterial taxa in the rhizosphere. Phylogenetic analysis of the predominant Proteobacteria showed that the clones from the rhizosphere soils of A. trabeculosa and P. australis in A. trabeculosa-P. australis mixed communities were more diverse than those in the rhizosphere soil of P. australis in P. australis monospecific community. The rhizosphere community in the wetland potentially included active microbial community related to carbon, nitrogen, and sulfur cycling in the Yangtze River estuary. The rhizosphere soil of P. australis in A. trabeculosa-P. australis mixed communities exhibited the highest Shannon diversity index(H′) and Simpson diversity index(1/D)(H = 4.52, 1/D =253). Correspondence analyses revealed that the bacterial community structures were altered after A. trabeculosa was introduced.     

酸雨对土壤有机碳氮潜在矿化的影响

Acid rain is a serious environmental problem worldwide. In this study, a pot experiment using forest soils planted with the seedlings of four woody species was performed with weekly treatments of pH 4.40, 4.00, 3.52, and 3.05 simulated acid rain （SAR） for 42 months compared to a control ofpH 5.00 lake water. The cumulative amounts of C and N mineralization in the five treated soils were determined after incubation at 25 ℃ for 65 d to examine the effects of SAR treatments. For all five treatments, cumulative CO2-C production ranged from 20.24 to 27.81 mg kg^-1 dry soil, net production of available N from 17.37 to 48.95 mg kg^-1 dry soil, and net production of NO3-N from 9.09 to 46.23 mg kg^-1 dry soil. SAR treatments generally enhanced the emission of CO2-C from the soils; however, SAR with pH 3.05 inhibited the emission. SAR treatments decreased the net production of available N and NO3-N. The cumulative CH4 and N2O productions from the soils increased with increasing amount of simulated acid rain. The cumulative CO2-C production and the net production of available N of the soil under Acmena acuminatissima were significantly higher （P 〈 0.05） than those under Schima superba and Cryptocarya concinna. The mineralization of soil organic C was related to the contents of soil organic C and N, but was not related to soil pH. However, the overall effect of acid rain on the storage of soil organic matter and the cycling of important nutrients depended on the amount of acid deposition and the types of forests.     

黄河下游冲积平原土壤盐分的时空变异研究——个例研究

Soil salinity and hydrologic datasets were assembled to analyze the spatio-temporal variability of salinization in Fengqiu County, Henan Province, China, in the alluvial plain of the lower reaches of the Yellow River. The saline soil and groundwater depth data of the county in 1981 were obtained to serve as a historical reference. Electrical conductivity (EC) of 293 surface soil samples taken from 2 km × 2 km grids in 2007 and 40 soil profiles acquired in 2008 was analyzed and used for comparative mapping. Ordinary kriging was applied to predict EC at unobserved locations to derive the horizontal and vertical distribution patterns and variation of soil salinity. Groundwater table data from 22 observation wells in 2008 were collected and used as input for regression kriging to predict the maximum groundwater depth of the county in 2008. Changes in the groundwater level of Fengqiu County in 27 years from 1981 to 2008 was calculated. Two quantitative criteria, the mean error or bias (ME) and the mean squared error (MSE), were computed to assess the estimation accuracy of the kriging predictions. The results demonstrated that the soil salinity in the upper soil layers decreased dramatically and the taxonomically defined saline soils were present only in a few micro-landscapes after 27 years. Presently, the soils with relatively elevated salt content were mainly distributed in depressions along the Yellow River bed. The reduction in surface soil salinity corresponded to the locations with deepened maximum groundwater depth. It could be concluded that groundwater table recession allowed water to move deeper into the soil profile, transporting salts with it, and thus played an important role in reducing soil salinity in this region. Accumulation of salts in the soil profiles at various depths below the surface indicated that secondary soil salinization would occur when the groundwater was not controlled at a safe depth.     

Changes of arbuscular mycorrhizal traits and community structure with respect to soil salinity in a coastal reclamation land

A comprehensive knowledge on the relationship between soil salinity and arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) is vital for a deeper understanding of ecosystem functioning under salt stress conditions. The objective of this study was to determine the effects of soil salinity on AMF root colonization, spore count, glomalin related soil protein (GRSP) and community structure in Saemangeum reclaimed land, South Korea. Soil samples were collected and grouped into five distinct salt classes based on the electrical conductivity of soil saturation extracts (EC_se). Mycorrhizal root colonization, spore count and GRSP were measured under different salinity levels. AMF community structure was studied through three complementary methods; spore morphology, terminal restriction fragment length polymorphism (T-RFLP) and denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE). Results revealed that root colonization (P < 0.01), spore count (P < 0.01) and GRSP (P < 0.01) were affected negatively by soil salinity. Spore morphology and T-RFLP data showed predominance of AMF genus Glomus in Saemangeum reclaimed land. T-RFLP and DGGE analysis revealed significant changes in diversity indices between non (EC_se < 2 dS/m) and extremely (EC_se > 16 dS/m) saline soil and confirmed dominance of Glomus caledonium only in soils with EC_se < 8 dS/m. However, ribotypes of Glomus mosseae and Glomus proliferum were ubiquitous in all salt classes. Combining spore morphology, T-RFLP and DGGE analysis, we could show a pronounced effect in AMF community across salt classes. The result of this study improve our understanding on AMF activity and dominant species present in different salt classes and will substantially expand our knowledge on AMF diversity in reclaimed lands.     

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.     

Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi of a Mediterranean island (Pianosa), within a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve

In this work we have determined the community composition of spore-forming arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) in a maquis site on Pianosa island, a protected area within the Tuscan Islands UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, Italy. We have analysed rhizosphere soil of the dominant plant species Pistacia lentiscus, Smilax aspera, Rosmarinus officinalis and of the endemic plant Helichrysum litoreum. The AMF species recovered were: Scutellospora dipurpurescens, Glomus coronatum, Glomus mosseae, Glomus etunicatum, Glomus geosporum, Glomus viscosum, Entrophospora sp., Pacispora sp. and Glomus rubiforme. The identification of native S. dipurpurescens and G. coronatum was carried out on spores isolated from rhizosphere soil of H. litoreum, by combining morphological traits and 18S (SSU) and ITS rDNA sequences. Therefore, AMF species of Pianosa rhizosphere soils represent an important repository for the conservation and maintenance in their natural habitat of such beneficial symbionts, key microorganisms of soil fertility.     

丛枝菌根真菌对金叶六道木镉吸收及根际真菌群落结构的影响

为明确丛枝菌根(AM)真菌对促进绿化苗木镉(Cd)吸收的影响,通过盆栽试验比较接种不同AM真菌对12种绿化苗木Cd吸收的差异,并进一步分析接种对金叶六道木根际微生物数量和AM真菌群落结构的影响.结果表明,12种绿化苗木,加Cd处理6个月后,其叶片浓度的变化范围为0.25～2.59 mg·kg–1.接种AM真菌处理组的叶...     

Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi pre-inoculant identity determines community composition in roots

Pre-inoculation of seedlings with commercial, typically non-indigenous, AMF inoculants is common practice in horticultural and land reclamation industries. How these practices influence AMF community composition in pre-inoculated seedlings after they are planted in soil containing a resident AMF community is almost completely unknown. However, there may be important implications regarding success of horticultural practices, as well as unexpected ecological consequences. In this study we exposed Leucanthemum vulgare seedlings to five different AMF treatments (pre-inoculation with a representative of Glomus group A and Glomus group B, one of two Gigaspora spp., or no AMF) prior to exposure to a whole-soil, mixed-AMF community inoculum. After a growth period of 75 additional for 28 days, AMF community composition within the roots was analyzed using an approach combining LSU rDNA sequencing and T-RFLP analysis. Our results indicate that the AMF communities that assemble within roots were strongly influenced by AMF pre-inoculant identity. Pre-inoculation with either Glomus spp., unlike what was found for Gigaspora, greatly restricted numbers of other AMF ribotypes able to subsequently colonize roots after exposure to our Glomeraceae-dominated field soil; this suggested that phylogenetic relatedness and life history strategies may play a role in AMF community assembly. Our results further revealed concurrent changes in AMF community functions, as indicated by differences in plant biomass and foliar nutrients. These results serve to highlight the importance of considering life history differences when designing AMF inoculants and may have important implications regarding the introduction of non-indigenous AMF.     

Molecular characterization and glomalin production of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi colonizing a heavy metal polluted ash disposal island, downtown Venice

In this work the arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungal communities colonizing a polluted ash dump island, downtown Venice, were studied by using a multimodal approach. The island, Sacca San Biagio, was covered with a thick layer of municipal solid waste residues produced by an incinerator operating from 1973, to 1984. Such residues contained high levels of heavy metals (Cu, Pb and Zn). We characterized the AMF communities present in soils on Sacca San Biagio island by using molecular methods. Nine AM fungal sequence types were detected in the roots of three plant species, representative of the dominant flora, by using partial SSU ribosomal RNA genes. The most abundant sequence types corresponded to Glomus intraradices/Glomus fasciculatum, and to Glo18, a sequence detected so far only in planta. Two sequences were new to science. Glomalin-related soil protein (GRSP), extracted from rhizosphere soil of dominant plant species, ranged from 1.6 to 2.3 mg g⁻¹. The occurrence of an active AM fungal community able to live in such harsh environment was evinced by the correlation between mycorrhizal colonization and GRSP content.     

马铃薯连作栽培对土壤微生物多样性的影响

为阐明马铃薯连作对土壤微生物群落结构和功能多样性的影响,揭示马铃薯连作障碍机制,本试验采用BIOLOG技术结合丛枝菌根真菌(AMF)形态学鉴定方法,就连作0(迎茬)、2 a、4 a、6 a、10 a的马铃薯田块土壤进行研究。结果表明:土壤养分含量随马铃薯连作年限增加有一定程度下降,其中,连作10 a马铃薯根际土壤的全磷、速效磷、速效钾和碱解氮与连作4 a相比分别下降61.32%、26.86%、26.87%和17.24%,但没有明显的养分亏缺和不均衡现象。土壤微生物群落结构发生了较大变化,放线菌、真菌数量显著随连作年限的延长先增加后减少,呈单峰型变化趋势;细菌数量随连作年限的延长呈逐步减少趋势,但差异不显著。连作4~6 a土壤微生物群落依然有较强的功能多样性,培养120 h后,连作6 a较迎茬AWCD值提高3.89%;群落组成中随连作年限的延长以碳水化合物、氨基酸类为碳源的微生物类群代谢能力明显下降,但代谢功能多样性趋于一致。连作马铃薯土壤AM真菌优势种发生改变,迎茬土壤为沙漠球囊霉(Glomus deserticola),连作2 a土壤为扭形球囊霉(Glomus delhiense)和福摩萨球囊霉(Glomus formosanum),连作10 a土壤为球泡球囊霉(Glomus globiferum)。多元分析结果表明,土壤微生物结构与功能多样性、AM真菌多样性变化受土壤p H、全磷含量、放线菌数量、细菌数量及土壤中以碳水化合物、氨基酸类等为碳源基质的微生物类群影响。说明长期连作栽培会影响土壤真菌、放线菌的数量,使真菌群落中AM真菌种的多样性显著下降,优势种发生改变,打破了微生物群落结构与功能平衡,引起土壤微生物群落结构与功能的失调。     

The combined effects of earthworms and arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi on microbial biomass and enzyme activities in a calcareous soil spiked with cadmium

Earthworms and arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) are known to independently affect soil microbial and biochemical properties, in particular soil microbial biomass (SMB) and enzymes. However, less information is available about their interactive effects, particularly in soils contaminated with heavy metals such as cadmium (Cd). The amount of soil microbial biomass C (MBC), the rate of soil respiration (SRR) and the activities of urease and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) were measured in a calcareous soil artificially spiked with Cd (10 and 20 mg Cd kg⁻¹), inoculated with earthworm (Lumbricus rubellus L.), and AMF (Glomus intraradices and Glomus mosseae species) under maize (Zea mays L.) crop for 60 days. Results showed that the quantity of MBC, SRR and enzyme activities decreased with increasing Cd levels as a result of the elevated exchangeable Cd concentration. Earthworm addition increased soil exchangeable Cd levels, while AMF and their interaction with earthworms had no influence on this fraction of Cd. Earthworm activity resulted in no change in soil MBC, while inoculation with both AMF species significantly enhanced soil MBC contents. However, the presence of earthworms lowered soil MBC when inoculated with G. mosseae fungi, showing an interaction between the two organisms. Soil enzyme activities and SRR values tended to increase considerably with the inoculation of both earthworms and AMF. Nevertheless, earthworm activity did not affect ALP activity when inoculated with G. mosseae fungi, while the presence of earthworm enhanced urease activity only with G. intraradices species. The increases in enzyme activities and SRR were better ascribed to changes in soil organic carbon (OC), MBC and dissolved organic carbon (DOC) contents. In summary, results demonstrated that the influence of earthworms alone on Cd availability is more important than that of AMF in Cd-polluted soils; and that the interaction effects between these organisms on soil microorganism are much more important than on Cd availability. Thus, the presence of both earthworms and AMF could alleviate Cd effects on soil microbial life.     

Temporal variation outweighs effects of biosolids applications in shaping arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi communities on plants grown in pasture and arable soils

Landspreading of biosolids (treated sewage sludge) in agroecosystems is a common waste management practice worldwide. Evidence suggests biosolids may be detrimental to arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF); however, previous studies focused on arable systems and often unrealistically high biosolids application levels. We investigated the effects of biosolids on AMF communities in grassland and arable agroecosystems, in the context of the natural seasonal dynamics of AMF community composition and diversity. A pasture and arable system under commercial farming management were amended annually with two different types of biosolids, applied at levels meeting current European Union regulations, in a factorial, replicated field-scale plot experiment. AMF root colonisation and community composition were measured in Lolium perenne roots from the pasture and Trifolium repens roots growing in arable soil across the seasons of two years. AMF community compositions were assessed by terminal-restriction fragment length polymorphism analyses. Biosolids had no significant effect on AMF root colonisation or community composition in either agroecosystem. Soil chemical analyses indicated several changes in the top 0–5 cm layer of the pasture soil, including small increases in heavy metal concentrations in biosolids relative to control plots. Temporal AMF dynamics were detected in soils from both agroecosystem indicating that the effect of seasonality outweighed that of biosolids application.