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.     

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.     

Environmental determinants of the arbuscular mycorrhizal fungal infectivity of Swiss agricultural soils

Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi are ubiquitous inhabitants of soils, and they are involved in cycling elements such as phosphorus and carbon between soils and plants. However, the environmental factors determining their activity and community structure in different soils are still not fully understood. Here, a bioassay is presented to assess the infectivity of indigenous mycorrhizal communities in twenty soils sampled in the Swiss agricultural belt north of the Alps. This bioassay indicated clear negative relationships between the mycorrhizal colonization of bioassay plant roots and the phosphorus and nitrogen concentrations in plant biomass. Further, comparison of the bioassay results with a range of physico-chemical, biological, and geographic parameters of the soils confirmed a negative relationship between the soil phosphorus status and the mycorrhizal colonization of the plants. Other parameters, such as land use, base saturation, pH, and soil texture, had little explanatory value for patterns in the growth, nutrition, and mycorrhizal colonization of the bioassay plants. The results of this study were compared with those of a previous one that used the same methods, and that examined the influence of soil pollution on mycorrhizal infectivity. It appears that the results of a mycorrhizal infectivity assay could serve as a comprehensive and rather universal indicator of soil quality.     

Differential decomposition of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungal hyphae and glomalin

Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) are obligate symbionts of most higher plants. In addition to being a major component of soil microbial biomass, AMF hyphae produce glomalin, a recalcitrant glycoproteinaceous substance highly correlated with soil aggregate water stability. This study addresses the lack of knowledge concerning the decomposition of hyphae and glomalin. We used an experimental design that exploited the lack of saprobic capabilities of AMF hyphae by incubating field soil samples in the dark, and hence in the absence of plant or AMF hyphal growth. In 150 days, hyphal length decreased 60%, while glomalin, quantified by the Bradford protein assay, declined only 25%. Immuno-reactive glomalin decreased 46%. This study serves as a proof-of-concept for further examination of factors that influence decomposition of AMF hyphae using similar experimental designs.     

The composition characteristics of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungal communities associated with barley in saline-alkaline soils in Central Anatolia

ABSTRACT

Central Anatolia, which suffers from salinity, alkalinity, and drought stresses, is one of the most important cultivation regions of barley (Hordeum vulgare) in Turkey. Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) could promote barley production under several stresses; however, only a little information is available for AMF community composition in Turkish arable soils. In this study, barley root samples were collected from eight sites in the Central Anatolian region during the growing season (GS: April) and the harvest season (HS: July) in 2012, and the composition of AMF communities were elucidated based on the partial sequence of the AMF 18S rRNA gene using high-throughput sequencing technology. As a result, barley-AMF symbioses in this region were highly dominated by Glomeraceae (71.8% in GS and 59.2% in HS), followed by Claroideoglomeraceae (10.3% in GS and 15.9% in HS), Gigasporaceae (9.1% in GS and 13.1% in HS), and Acaulosporaceae (5.8% in GS and 7.7% in HS). Compared to Glomeraceae and Claroideoglomeraceae families, communities of Acaulosporaceae, Diversisporaceae, Paraglomeraceae, and Gigasporaceae consisted of fewer AMF species. The AMF evenness significantly increased from GS to HS. The most dominant AMF sequence, VTX00248 in the MaarjAM database, was closely related to Rhizophagus, which occupied 25.8% and 14.7% of the total AMF sequences in GS and HS, respectively. The relative abundance of AMF related to Rhizophagus tended to be reduced in HS, suggesting that the species could form mycorrhiza in the early stages of barley growth in this region. On the other hand, the relative abundance of Claroideoglomeraceae and Scutellosporaceae tended to increase in HS. Soil CaCO₃ content significantly influenced AMF community compositions in GS, while soil pH and EC showed no significant impact on AMF community compositions. Based on discriminant analysis, 11 VTXs (related Acaulospora, Claroideoglomus, Funneliformis, Gigaspora, and Glomus) showed higher abundance in the barley roots grown in the soil with relatively high CaCO₃ content, suggesting that these sequences might be adapted to such an environment.     

Diversity and biogeography of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi in agricultural soils

It has widely been acknowledged that the diversity of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) is greatly affected by climate, land use intensity, and soil parameters. The objective of this study was to investigate AMF diversity in multiple agricultural soils (154 sites; 92 grasslands and 62 croplands) distributed over all agricultural regions in Switzerland and differing in a number of soil parameters (e.g., land use type and intensity, and altitude). We highlighted the main factors responsible for major AMF community shifts and documented specific distribution patterns for each AMF species. AMF spores were morphologically identified and counted for each species. In total, 17,924 spores were classified and 106 AMF species were identified. In general, AMF species richness (SR) was higher in grasslands than in croplands. In croplands, SR increased with altitude but this trend was not observed in grasslands. Some species occurred at virtually all sites, while others were rarely detected, and for others, species-specific distribution patterns were revealed. Some species were affected by land use type or intensity, or related factors like soil organic matter, soil microbial biomass and respiration or nutrient availability. Other species were more affected by soil pH and related parameters like base saturation and carbonate contents, by soil texture, or by altitude, or by a combination of two to several of all these parameters. We conclude that a high number of AMF species may serve as indicator species for specific habitats and land use. These species might deliver certain ecosystem services at their habitats and deserve further investigation about their functional diversity.     

Effect of biochar soil-amendments on Allium porrum growth and arbuscular mycorrhizal fungus colonization

Application of biochar to soil to achieve any number of goals should also consider unintended effects upon soil biology, including symbioses such as arbuscular mycorrhizas. We conducted an experiment to examine the interaction of biochar addition and arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungus inoculation upon growth and phosphorus (P) uptake by Allium porrum L. and relate these responses to physicochemical properties of the biochars. A. porrum seedlings were grown with and without Glomus intraradices Schenck & Smith, and either without biochar or in the presence of one of 12 different biochars created by pyrolysis of three biomass feedstocks. Fast pyrolysis biochars greatly reduced colonization of roots by the AM fungus. Among biochars produced by a given pyrolysis method, higher surface areas were accompanied by higher AM fungus colonization. These findings are pertinent in selecting biochars for application to agricultural soils for such purposes as inactivation of pathogenic bacteria while being mindful of potential impacts upon the AM symbiosis.     

巴西大西洋森林中巴西松地面根部显示丛枝菌根真菌高定殖率和多样性

Almost 30 different arbuscularmycorrhizal fungi (AMF)species, distributed in different genera such as Glomus, Acaulospora,Scutellospora,Entrophospora,Ambispora,Kuklospora,Gigaspora,and Archeospora, have been identified in the root zone of Araucaria angustifolia, known as Brazil Pine. During our AMF survey in this ecosystem, our attention was called to the presence of many superficially growing Araucaria roots. Our hypothesis was that these roots were colonized with AMF because of the presence of AMF spores in organic material aboveground. Samples of these superficial roots and the organic substrate they were growing on were evaluated for their mycorrhizal status. DNA was extracted from the AMF colonized superficial roots and submitted to polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplification using the NS31-AM1 primer pair, followed by cloning and sequencing. We found that the root colonization percentages were between 31% and 52%, and the number of AMF spores in the substrate ranged from 27 to 164 spores per 50 g dry substrate.The phylogenetic analyses and tree construction using maximum parsimony (MP) and neighbor-joining (NJ) methods identified 13 different species of the phylum Glomeromycota belonging to the genera Glomus, Funneliformis, Rhizophagus, Gigaspora, Acaulospora,and Archaeospora, and five isolates were identified only at the genus level. To our knowledge, this is the first report on Araucaria angustifolia with roots growing aboveground, producing runner roots that develop on dead tree trunks and organic material. The higher colonization of the aboveground roots than those commonly found in belowground Araucaria roots suggests that they may present active metabolic uptakeof nutrients.     

Growth and interactions of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi in soils from limestone and acid rock habitats

Arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) development in different soil types, and the influence of AM fungal hyphae on their original soil were investigated. Plantago lanceolata, which can grow in soils of a very wide pH range, was grown in two closely related limestone soils and an acid soil from rock habitats. Plants were colonised by the indigenous AM fungal community. The use of compartmented systems allowed us to compare soil with and without mycorrhizal hyphae. Root colonisation of P. lanceolata was markedly higher in the limestone soils (30-60%) than in the acid soil (5-20%), both in the original habitat and in the experimental study. Growth of extraradical AM fungal hyphae was detected in the limestone soils, but not in the acid soil, using the signature fatty acid 16:1ω5 as biomass indicator. Analysis of signature fatty acids demonstrated an increased microbial biomass in the presence of AM fungal hyphae as judged for example from an increased amount of NLFA 16:0 with 30 nmol g⁻¹ in one of the limestone soils. Bacterial activity, but not soil phosphatase activity, was increased by around 25% in the presence of mycorrhizal hyphae in the first harvest of limestone soils. AM fungal hyphae can thus stimulate microorganisms. However, no effect of AM hyphae was observed on the soil pH or organic matter content in the limestone soils and the available P was not depleted.     

大豆丛枝菌根共生结构和多聚磷累积双定位方法

【目的】多聚磷是丛枝菌根内磷的主要贮存形式,定性、定量观察多聚磷对于解析菌根中磷代谢具有重要意义。随着植物体内越来越多的参与菌根真菌与寄主植物之间营养交换过程的基因被鉴定,迫切需要进一步提高根内菌根共生结构和多聚磷累积的染色和定位分析技术。【方法】本研究利用丛枝菌根真菌Glomus mosseae侵染的大豆植株,采集新鲜根样制片,一部分薄根片利用低浓度荧光染料麦胚凝集素,室温染色30 min,在波长488 nm的蓝光激发下使用荧光显微镜观察拍照;另一部分薄根片利用荧光染料4’,6-二脒基-2-苯基吲哚二盐酸盐(DAPI)进行染色,在波长405 nm紫外光激发下观察并拍照;进一步取新鲜制备的薄根片,先后用以上两种荧光染料进行染色,分别在波长405 nm和488 nm的激发光下观察并拍照,完成了菌根共生结构和多聚磷的共定位。【结果】1)使用荧光染料麦胚凝集素,大豆丛枝菌根真菌侵染结构的荧光标记活性染色法,可以清晰地检测到大豆丛枝菌根中所有的共生结构,包括丛枝,泡囊和根内菌丝等。2)在丛枝菌根真菌侵染的根中,各种共生结构都呈现出黄色荧光,为DAPI与多聚磷结合在紫外光激发下的呈色。根段中部分细胞内的蓝白色斑点为DAPI与细胞核中DNA结合的显色结果。在含有成熟丛枝结构的细胞中,也可观察到大部分丛枝呈蓝白色,主要是丛枝膜质结构的呈色。因此,利用荧光染料4’,6-二脒基-2-苯基吲哚二盐酸盐染色法定位多聚磷,能很好地区分多聚磷酸盐、DNA和膜质。3)在以上研究的基础上,通过荧光光路的切换,可以同时观察到菌根共生结构和多聚磷的共定位。处于发育阶段的整个丛枝中多聚磷累积的亮黄色清晰可见。在成熟的丛枝中,由于膜质结构发达,对累积在丛枝结构中的多聚磷的染色观察产生了一定影响,导致仅仅局部的多聚磷累积清晰可见。【结论】本研究建立的大豆菌根共生结构与多聚磷累积的双定位分析系统,能够直观观察植物与丛枝菌根真菌的养分交换,清晰地对丛枝菌根共生结构中多聚磷的累积进行定位分析,可作为从组织和细胞水平研究菌根共生体的重要技术手段。     

Comparison of arbuscular mycorrhizal and dark septate endophyte fungal associations in soils irrigated with pulp and paper mill effluent and well-water

We compared arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) and dark septate endophyte (DSE) fungal associations in 2 crops and 31 weeds commonly occurring in pulp and paper mill effluent irrigated and well-water irrigated soils. Soil pH, organic C, N, P and K, were higher in pulp and paper mill effluent irrigated than in well-water irrigated soils. In contrast, the average AM fungal colonization, root length with AM fungal hyphae/hyphal coils, spore numbers and diversity were lower in pulp and paper mill effluent irrigated soils compared to well-water irrigated soils. However, no significant variation was found in DSE fungal colonization nor root length with AM fungal arbuscules/arbusculate coils and vesicles between pulp and paper mill effluent irrigated and well-water irrigated soils. A significant negative correlation existed between AM and DSE fungal colonization in both effluent and well-water irrigated soils. Twelve AM fungal spore morphotypes belonging to Acaulospora, Dentiscutata, Glomus, Racocetra and Scutellospora were isolated from the well-water irrigated soils, whereas spores of six morphotypes were isolated from effluent irrigated soils. AM fungal spore numbers were correlated significantly and positively to AM fungal colonization in effluent and well-water irrigated soils.     

Soil biota effects on soil structure: Interactions between arbuscular mycorrhizal fungal mycelium and collembola

Soil aggregation is an important ecosystem process mediated by soil organisms. Collembola and arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi are major soil biota representing different functional groups, and are known as two key promoters of soil aggregation. Although several studies have experimentally demonstrated that AM fungi and, more recently, collembola affect soil structure, there is no study investigating how both soil organisms affect soil aggregation excluding the influence of plant roots, another important driver of soil aggregation. Considering the importance of AM fungi and collembola in terrestrial ecosystems, here we asked if both organisms have any influence on soil aggregation when roots are not present.In order to examine this question we conducted a completely factorial greenhouse study manipulating the presence of both collembola and AM fungi and excluded the roots of Plantago lanceolata using a 38 μm nylon screen compartment. We quantified soil aggregation as water stable soil aggregates in four size classes in the hyphal compartment and monitored a number of other explanatory variables, including AM (and non-AM) fungal soil hyphal length.The soil in the hyphal compartment showed greater soil aggregation with larger mean weight diameter when collembola were present, and a similar result was found in the presence of AM fungi, compared to control treatments. Moreover, combined presence of both AM fungi and collembola resulted in a non-additive increase of soil aggregation.Our study clearly indicated that collembola can enhance soil aggregation, that they can partially complement effects of AM fungi, and that these effects are independent of roots.     

Native soil organic matter as a decisive factor to determine the arbuscular mycorrhizal fungal community structure in contaminated soils

The present study of arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi is focused on the identification of AM ecotypes associated with different plants species (Poa annua, Medicago polymorpha, and Malva sylvestris) growing in three contaminated soils with different organic matter, phosphorus, and trace element (TE; Cu, Cd, Mn, and Zn) contents. Soils were amended with biosolid and alperujo compost. Shifts in AM fungal community structure, diversity, richness, root colonization, and plant TE uptake were evaluated. Soil properties and plant species had a significant effect on AM fungal community composition as well as on root colonization. However, AM fungal diversity and richness were only affected by soil properties and especially by soil organic matter that was a major driver of AM fungal community. As soil quality increased, Glomeraceae decreased in favor of Claroideoglomeraceae in the community, AM fungal diversity and richness increased, and root colonization decreased. No effect due to amendment (exogenous organic matter) addition was found either in AM fungal parameters measured or TE plant uptake. Our results revealed that the role of TE contamination was secondary for the fungal community behavior, being the native organic matter content the most significant factor.     

Interaction between earthworms and arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi on the degradation of oxytetracycline in soils

The interactive impact of earthworms (Eisenia fetida) and arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (Rhizophagus intraradices, AM fungi) on the degradation of oxytetracycline (OTC) in soils was studied under greenhouse conditions. Treatments included maize plants inoculated vs. not inoculated with AM fungi and treated with or without earthworms at low (1 mg kg⁻¹ soil DM) or high (100 mg kg⁻¹ soil DM) OTC rates. The root colonization rate, the hyphal density of mycorrhizae, the residual OTC concentration in soils, catalase, dehydrogenase, urease, soil microbial biomass C, Shannon–Wiener index (H) for microbial communities from T-RFLP profiles were measured at harvest. The results indicated that earthworms and AM fungi would individually or interactively enhance OTC decomposition and significantly decreased the residual OTC concentration at both high and low OTC rates. Both earthworms and AM fungi could promote the degradation of OTC by increasing soil microbial biomass C at both high and low OTC rates. The effect of soil enzyme activity and soil microbial diversity on OTC decomposition was different between high and low OTC rates. Hyphomicrobium and Bacillus cereus were dominant bacteria, and Thielavia and Chaetomium were dominant phyla of fungi at all occasions. Earthworm activity stimulated the growth of Hyphomicrobium and Thielavia, while AM fungi may stimulate B. cereus, Thielavia and Chaetomium, resulting in greater OTC decomposition. The interaction between earthworms and AM fungi in affecting the degradation of OTC may be attributed to different mechanisms, depending on soil microbial biomass, function (enzyme activity) and communities (the abundance of Hyphomicrobium, B. cereus, Thielavia and Chaetomium) in the soil.     

Early effects of tillage and crop rotation on arbuscular mycorrhizal fungal propagules in an Ultisol

The aim of this work was to study the early influence of conventional tillage (CT) and no-tillage (NT) on arbuscular mycorrhizal fungal (AMF) propagules. A short 2-year-course crop rotation, i.e. trial consisting of a succession of wheat and oat, was studied in a typic Chilean Ultisol from the second to fourth year after the beginning of the experiment. Measurements included mycorrhizal characteristics and some soil properties in order to explain their influence on AMF propagules. Soil samples were taken yearly in autumn (fallow period) and in early spring (flowering). Significant differences in AMF hyphal length were observed between NT and CT in the first year, but such differences disappeared thereafter. No differences in metabolically active hyphae were obtained with wheat or oat under the two tillage systems. Mycorrhizal root colonization was always higher under NT than under CT. The number of AMF spores was also higher under NT than under CT, ranging from 158 to 641 spores per 100 cm³. Twenty-two AMF species including eight Glomus spp., six Acaulospora spp., four Scutellospora spp., one Archaeospora sp., one Diversispora sp., one Entrophospora sp. and one Pacispora sp. were observed in both agro-ecosystems. Higher spore number of Acaulospora spp. was found under wheat than under oat and under CT than under NT, whilst more spores of Scutellospora spp. were observed under NT than under CT. From all mycorrhizal characteristics, spore number could be visualized as an early and useful indicator of the effect of tillage systems on mycorrhizal propagules in short-term experiments.     

AM真菌对烟苗生长及某些生理指标的影响

在低浓度营养液条件下,利用漂浮育苗技术培育烟苗,于播种期、小十字期、生根期分别接种不同的AM真菌,研究了它们对烟苗生长、营养和某些生理指标的影响。结果表明,越早接种AM真菌,其侵染率越高;播种期接种,侵染率达到39.2%～59.6%。AM真菌的菌根效应因菌种(株)不同而异,接种球囊霉真菌（BEG-141）后,显著增加烟苗干重、磷含量、氮磷钾吸收量、叶绿素含量,以及根系硝酸还原酶、超氧化物歧化酶和几丁质酶活性。表明在漂浮育苗技术中,播种期接种适宜的AM真菌是培育壮苗的有效措施。     

生物炭及生物炭-矿物复合物对菌根侵染、小麦和高粱营养的影响

The high price of synthetic fertilisers and the price barrier for biochar as a soil amendment have encouraged the exploration of using biochar in fertiliser replacement formulations. Biochars coupled with fertilisers can be applied at lower application rates to achieve benefits in plant growth and nutrition, as well as soil biological fertility.~It is necessary to evaluate the use of biochar as a fertiliser substitute.~Therefore, this study investigated the comparative influences of biochars, including {\it Acacia saligna} (AS), Simcoa jarrah (SJ) and Wundowie jarrah (WJ), mineral fertiliser with microbes (MF + M), biochar-mineral complex (BMC) and their combination on mycorrhizal colonisation, growth and nutrition of wheat in a glasshouse experiment and sorghum in field conditions. BMC + MF + M treatment produced higher mycorrhizal colonisation than MF + M alone, indicating that BMC had a significant role in increasing mycorrhizal colonisation.~SJ (treated with acetic acid) and MF + M treatments, as well as AS + MF + M application, showed si\-milar effects on mycorrhizal colonisation, but lower colonisation than the BMC~+~MF~+~M treatment.~Overall, the BMC + MF + M treatment supported the maximum shoot, root and total plant dry weight followed by AS + MF + M and WJ + MF + M. The~MF + M treatment had the maximum shoot N and K concentrations, while BMC + MF + M application had the maximum shoot P concentration. AS + MF + M and WJ + MF + M treatments supported the maximum N uptake by wheat shoots, while BMC + MF + M supported the maximum P uptake.~The results showed that biochars and BMCs could increase mycorrhizal colonisation, plant growth and nutrient uptake of wheat, particularly N, P, K, S and Zn. The field experiment confirmed that BMC application at a rate of 300 kg ha$^{-1}$ could increase the yield of irrigated sorghum on a loam soil and provide better applied P use efficiency compared to a water-soluble fertiliser alone. These results indicated that biochar-based fertilisers might increase the resilience and sustainability of dryland cropping in environments such as in Western Australia and warrant further field evaluation.     

丛枝菌根真菌对镉污染土壤中黑麦草幼苗生长的影响

通过不同浓度的镉污染土壤接种丛枝菌根真菌的黑麦草盆栽试验,研究了丛枝菌根真菌对镉污染条件下黑麦草幼苗生长的影响。结果表明:重度镉污染(Cd2+:180 mg/kg)条件下,Glomus mosseae对黑麦草根系的侵染率仍达到30.23%,对黑麦草的生长有较好的促进作用;丛枝菌根在一定程度上缓解了镉污染对黑麦草株高、根长和生物量积累的抑制;镉污染显著降低黑麦草叶片的叶绿素含量,叶绿素a在重度镉污染时下降幅度最大,不接种丛枝菌根真菌的黑麦草较对照下降37.9%,而接种的黑麦草下降26.7%,接种菌根真菌在中重度镉污染条件下显著提高了黑麦草叶片的叶绿素含量;重度镉污染下接种和不接种的黑麦草根系活力都开始显著下降,但接种植株根系活力下降的幅度小于不接种植株。     

Assessment of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungal propagules and colonization from abandoned agricultural fields and semi-arid grasslands in riparian floodplains

Prior to the onset of extensive grazing and clearing for agriculture, riparian floodplains of southeastern Arizona, USA, historically supported large grassland communities dominated by Sporobolus wrightii Munro ex Scribn., big sacaton grass. Large-scale abandonment of agricultural operations has occurred in this region in the past 50 years, but natural re-establishment of big sacaton into abandoned fields has typically been slow. This study assesses whether arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) may be one factor in recovery rates of abandoned fields within three riparian areas in southeastern Arizona (San Pedro river, the Babocomari river and Cienega creek). In each riparian area, soil samples were collected along paired 100 m transects, one in an extant grassland and one in a neighboring abandoned agricultural field. At one site (San Pedro), a third transect was established in a second adjoining abandoned agricultural field to enable comparisons between fields showing differing rates of recovery at a single site. Roots were assessed for mycorrhizal colonization using the modified intercept method and the modified mean infection percentage (MIP) method was used to determine inoculum potential of each soil sample. No significant differences were found between the levels of mycorrhizal colonization in roots collected from the grassland and those collected from the abandoned field for any of the sample sites. Levels of colonization did differ among the three sample sites, with higher levels seen at the San Pedro site than at the Babocomari and Cienega sites. With one exception, MIPs were greater in the soil from the abandoned agricultural field than in the soil from the nearby grassland. In the exception, no difference was detected in inoculum potentials at the San Pedro site between the paired grassland and the abandoned field that had the lower level of sacaton recovery. MIPs were also greater in the soil from the abandoned agricultural field at Babocomari, where Salsola tragus L. growth for cattle feed was promoted by discing every 3–4 years. These results indicate that higher inoculum potentials in abandoned fields were not always linked to the high levels of recovery of native vegetation.