Biocontrol potential of native Trichoderma isolates against root-knot nematodes in West African vegetable production systems

Seventeen isolates of the free-living soil fungus Trichoderma spp., collected from Meloidogyne spp. infested vegetable fields and infected roots in Benin, were screened for their rhizosphere competence and antagonistic potential against root-knot nematodes, Meloidogyne incognita, in greenhouse pot experiments on tomato. The five isolates expressing greatest reproductive ability and nematode suppression in pots were further assessed in a typical double-cropping system of tomato and carrot in the field in Benin. All seventeen isolates were re-isolated from both soil and roots at eight weeks after application, with no apparent crop growth penalty. In pots, a number of isolates provided significant nematode control compared with untreated controls. Field assessment demonstrated significant inhibition of nematode reproduction, suppression of root galling and an increase of tomato yield compared with the non-fungal control treatments. Trichoderma asperellum T-16 suppressed second stage juvenile (J₂) densities in roots by up to 80%; Trichoderma brevicompactum T-3 suppressed egg production by as much as 86%. Tomato yields were improved by over 30% following the application of these biocontrol agents, especially T. asperellum T-16. Although no significant effects were observed on carrot galling and yield, soil J₂ densities were suppressed in treated plots, by as much as 94% (T. asperellum T-12), compared with the non-fungal controls. This study provides the first information on the potential of West-African Trichoderma spp. isolates for use against root-knot nematodes in vegetable production systems. The results are highly encouraging, demonstrating their strong potential as an alternative and complementary crop protection component.     

AM 真菌对蔬菜品质的影响

大田生产条件下试验研究丛枝菌根（Arbuscular mycorrhiza，AM）真菌4个高效菌种Glomus mosseae、Glo-mus versiforme、Gigaspora rosea 和Sclerocystis sinousa对西瓜、黄瓜、芋头和菜豆品质的影响结果表明，AM真菌能显著提高这些蔬菜维生素C、氨基酸、粗蛋白等营养成分含量，接种Glomus mosseae处理可分别增加菜豆维生素C含量25％、磷63％，芋头粗蛋白19％、氨基酸总量24％，黄瓜可溶性糖20％、磷26％、粗蛋白40％，西瓜可溶性固形物25％、维生素C32％。     

转Bt基因作物对丛枝菌根真菌的影响研究进展

在过去的十年里，世界范围内转基因作物尤其是抗虫性转Bt基因作物的品种和种植面积迅速增加。同时，转Bt基因作物的环境安全性评价问题成为人们关注和研究的热点。丛枝菌根真菌（AMF）是生态系统中普遍存在的土壤微生物，能与绝大多数植物种类形成共生关系，在农业生态系统中起重要作用。转Bt基因作物环境释放后，其与AMF问的共生关系是否受所转入Bt基因的影响，以及影响机制需要及时研究。为此，综述了转Bt基因作物与AMF共生特征方面的研究进展，并根据Bt毒素发生的空间和时间规律提出了危害机制以及转Bt基因植物的规模化种植将降低农田系统中的AMF的生物多样性的观点。     

栽培基质与AM 真菌对园艺作物的影响

从珍珠岩、蛭石、木屑、草炭、河沙等栽培基质的特点入手，讨论了不同基质对园艺作物生长发育、丛枝菌根（AM）真菌侵染和功能的影响以及AM真菌在不同基质条件下对作物生长的效应。将多种基质按一定比例混配而成的复合基质能综合各基质的优良理化特性，更有利于作物及其菌根的生长发育，如以草炭、蛭石和河沙接不同比例配成的7种基质中对西瓜接种Glomus mosseae，发现4号基质中侵染率最高，达39．9％，而1号基质中的最低，为14．8％，前者处理的植株生长量增加1．5－3倍。复合基质在无土设施栽培中十分有效，将得到更广泛的应用与开发。     

丛枝菌根与植物寄生性线虫相互作用及抗性机制

丛枝菌根真菌(arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi,AMF)能够与大多数陆地植物互惠共生,促进植物对养分的吸收,提高植物对各种生物和非生物胁迫的抗逆性,对植物健康生长有重要的作用。在土壤中丛枝菌根真菌与植物寄生性线虫共同依靠寄主植物根系完成生命循环,但二者对寄主植物作用完全相反,引起研究者广泛兴趣,成为菌根研究的热点和焦点之一。本文分析了丛植菌根真菌与植物寄生线虫的相互作用,并探讨了菌根提高植物对线虫抗性的可能机制:菌根真菌改善植物的生长和营养状况、改变植物根系形态结构、影响根系分泌物和根际微生物区系、诱导寄主植物产生防御反应等,旨在深入挖掘丛枝菌根真菌的生物学功能,进一步发挥其在农业生产中的应用潜力。     

Field inoculation effectiveness of native and exotic arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi in a Mediterranean agricultural soil

In sustainable agriculture, arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungal inoculation in agronomical management might be very important, especially when the efficiency of native inocula is poor. Here, we assessed the effect of native and exotic selected AM fungal inocula on plant growth and nutrient uptake in a low input Trifolium alexandrinum-Zea mays crop rotation. We evaluated the effects of four exotic AM fungal isolates on T. alexandrinum physiological traits in greenhouse. Then, the field performances of T. alexandrinum inoculated with the exotic AMF, both single and mixed, were compared to those obtained with a native inoculum, using a multivariate analysis approach. Finally, we tested the residual effect of AM fungal field inoculation on maize as following crop. Multivariate analysis showed that the field AM fungal inoculation increased T. alexandrinum and Z. mays productivity and quality and that the native inoculum was as effective as, or more effective than, exotic AM fungal isolates. Moreover, the beneficial effects of AMF were persistent until the second year after inoculation. The use of native AMF, produced on farm with mycotrophic plants species, may represent a convenient alternative to commercial AM fungal inocula, and may offer economically and ecologically important advantages in sustainable or organic cropping systems.     

丛枝菌根真菌领域专利情报分析

丛枝菌根真菌 (AMF) 与植物共生在提高植物的抗逆性、抗病性和维护植物健康方面发挥着关键作用,其在农业、林业和生态环境等方面的应用受到广泛关注。本研究基于incoPat科技创新情报平台,检索了2019年前国内外丛枝菌根真菌的专利产出,对专利申请数量、主要申请人、技术构成等方面进行了分析,以揭示国内外丛枝菌根真菌领域的研发状况、技术发展趋势和产学研合作情况。近年来,中国丛枝菌根真菌领域专利数量急剧增加,AMF产品化不断加强,AMF应用领域从农业领域向污染修复领域拓展,结合现代生物、信息技术等新兴技术的AMF检测技术和研究方法正在快速发展,新的研发充分考虑了AMF产品化和应用的结合;我国在丛枝菌根真菌领域的专利申请人多隶属高校和科研院所,企业参与度较低。AMF菌种扩繁和污染修复领域的应用已成为焦点,生物和信息新技术成果正引入AMF检测技术的开发;中国在丛枝菌根真菌领域的产学研合作研发亟需加强。     

Global diversity and distribution of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi

Arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi form associations with most land plants and can control carbon, nitrogen, and phosphorus cycling between above- and belowground components of ecosystems. Current estimates of AM fungal distributions are mainly inferred from the individual distributions of plant biomes, and climatic factors. However, dispersal limitation, local environmental conditions,and interactions among AM fungal taxa may also determine local diversity and global distributions. We assessed the relative importance of these potential controls by collecting 14,961 DNA sequences from 111 published studies and testing for relationships between AM fungal community composition and geography, environment, and plant biomes. Our results indicated that the global species richness of AM fungi was up to six times higher than previously estimated, largely owing to high beta diversity among sampling sites. Geographic distance, soil temperature and moisture, and plant community type were each significantly related to AM fungal community structure, but explained only a small amount of the observed variance. AM fungal species also tended to be phylogenetically clustered within sites, further suggesting that habitat filtering or dispersal limitation is a driver of AM fungal community assembly. Therefore, predicted shifts in climate and plant species distributions under global change may alter AM fungal communities.     

Response of nitrogen-transforming microorganisms to arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi

 We studied fluctuations in the numbers of autotrophic ammonium oxidizers, ammonifying microorganisms and denitrifying microorganisms in pot cultures of mycorrhizal and non-mycorrhizal maize. The populations were enumerated after 0, 15, 30, 45 and 60 days of plant growth. Two arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi belonging to different Glomus species were investigated. Pot cultures with AM-infected maize had significant quantitative and qualitative changes in the root-associated population of N-transforming bacteria compared with the non-mycorrhizal controls. The occurrence of autotrophic ammonium oxidizers in pot cultures of the AM fungi Glomus mosseae and G. fasciculatum was significantly higher than in non-mycorrhizal cultures throughout maize growth. The occurrence of these bacteria was delayed by 15 days in non-mycorrhizal as opposed to Glomus-colonized soil. Ammonifying and denitrifying bacterial populations were significantly decreased in the pot cultures of AM plants compared with the control. The distribution patterns of the physiological groups of bacteria tested were similar for both AM treatments but different from that of the non-mycorrhizal controls. Activity measurements expressed on a per cell basis showed changes with respect to the form of N in the mycorrhizal soil. G. fasciculatum was more active than G. mosseae during the earlier stages of plant growth. Received: 8 July 1997     

Interactions between arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi and fungivorous nematodes on the growth and arsenic uptake of tobacco in arsenic-contaminated soils

The effects of inoculation with two AM fungi (M1, Glomus caledonium; M2, Glomus spp. and Acaulospora spp.) and a fungivorous nematode Aphelenchoides sp. on growth and arsenic (As) uptake of Nicotiana tabacum L. were investigated in soils contaminated with a range of As. The reproduction of Aphelenchoides sp. was triggered by the co-inoculation of AM fungi regardless of AM fungal isolates and As levels. Stimulative effects of Aphelenchoides sp. on the development of mycorrhiza, slightly different between two AM fungi, were found particularly at the lowest As level. Irrespective of mycorrhizal inoculi, increasing soil As level decreased plant growth, but increased plant As uptake. Co-inoculation of AM fungi and Aphelenchoides sp. led plants to achieving further growth and greater As accumulation at the lowest As level. Results showed that the interactions between AM fungi and fungivorous nematodes were important in plant As tolerance and phytoextraction at low level As-polluted soil.     

Using native plants to evaluate the effect of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi on revegetation of iron tailings in grasslands

A pot experiment was conducted to evaluate native plant species associated with exogenous AMF for their suitability in the revegetation of iron mine tailings of Inner Mongolia grassland. Agropyron cristatum (L.) Gaertn. and Elymus dahuricus Turcz. associated with AMF, Glomus mosseae, or Glomus versiforme, were grown on iron mine tailings to assess the mycorrhizal effects on plant growth, mineral nutrition uptake, C:N:P stoichiometry, and heavy metals uptake. The symbiotic associations were successfully established between exogenous AMF and two native plants, and root colonization rates of G. versiforme were significantly (P?<?0.05) higher than those of G. mosseae. G. versiforme was more effective than G. mosseae in promoting plant growth by significantly (P?<?0.05) increasing the concentrations of N, P, and K and decreasing the ratios of C:N:P. The shoot and root dry weights of A. cristatum and E. dahuricus were increased by 51–103 %. The N, P, and K concentrations of shoots and roots of two plants were increased by 18–236 %. Inoculation with AMF also significantly (P?<?0.05) decreased concentrations of heavy metals in the shoots and increased those in the roots, indicating that AMF could confer some degree of heavy metal tolerance to plants. The results indicated that plant inoculation with G. versiforme was more suitable than inoculation with G. mosseae for the revegetation of iron mine tailings. The experiment provided evidence for the potential use of local plant species in combination with exogenous AMF for ecological restoration of metalliferous tailings in arid and semi-arid grassland.     

丛枝菌根真菌在农业生产中的作用与调控

AM真菌在集约化作物生产体系中的作用日益受到关注。最近10余年间有关AM真菌与植物相互作用的研究由温室、实验室模拟转向田间原位研究,在认识上取得了很大的进展。通过对相关的理论和应用基础研究结果的分析,认为菌根生物技术的应用不仅包括菌剂的生产和施用技术,而且还要包括土著AM真菌群落繁殖体数量和活性的调节技术;通过轮作和间作、少耕或者免耕、使用根际化学信号物质能够在一定程度上有效发挥土著AM真菌群落的作用;充分认识AM真菌群落的时空变化与生态功能的关系可能是今后研究的重点;此外,通过与育种家结合,培育在高肥力土壤上积极响应AM真菌的作物高产品种可能是未来提高土壤养分资源高效利用的有效途径之一。     

Chitin stimulates development and sporulation of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi

Chitin added to sand-soil based cultivation substrates stimulated the root colonization, growth of extraradical mycelium and production of spores of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) in three experiments with Allium amppelloprasum, Plantago lanceolata and Lactuca sativa as host plants. Stimulation of AMF sporulation was also observed when autoclaved mycelium of Fusarium oxysporum was used instead of chitin. Increased numbers of actinomycetes in the substrate as a result of chitin treatment were recorded.     

Cumulative effects of tree-based intercropping on arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi

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

The impact of biological pesticides on arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi

Arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi have a key role for plant nutrition in organic farming systems where crop protection relies on biopesticides. Although these are considered safe, their effects on non-target organisms, such as AM fungi, are not known and should be evaluated. A pot and a field experiment were employed to investigate the impact of biological pesticides (azadirachtin, spinosad, pyrethrum and terpens) on exogenous AM fungal inoculum (pots) and on indigenous AM fungi (field). The synthetic fungicide carbendazim and non-pesticide treated controls with or without mycorrhizal inoculation were also included. Plant growth and root colonization were measured 20 and 40 days post inoculation (dpi) in the pot experiment, or 40 and 90 dpi in the field study. Pesticide effects on the structure of the intraradical AM fungal community were determined via DGGE and cloning. Spinosad, pyrethrum and terpenes did not affect the colonization ability and the structure of the AM fungal community. On the contrary, pot application of azadirachtin resulted in a selective inhibition of the Glomus etunicatum strain of the inoculum. DGGE analysis showed that the field application of azadirachtin induced significant and persistent shifts in the AM fungal community. Carbendazim completely hampered mycorrhizal colonization in pots, compared to its field application which had a transitory effect on the colonization ability and the community structure of indigenous AM fungi. Our study provides first evidence for the effects of biological pesticides on the diversity of AM fungi.     

Inhibition of native arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi induced increases in cadmium loss via surface runoff and interflow from farmland

Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) can form symbiotic relationships with most crops, but their impact on the environmental migration of cadmium (Cd) in farmland is limited. A field experiment was performed in the rainy season (May–October) for two years in Cd-polluted farmland used for maize cultivation. A fungicide (benomyl) was used to specifically inhibit native AMF growth in the farmland. The growth and Cd uptake of maize and the Cd concentration and loss in runoff and interflow were investigated. Benomyl strongly and significantly inhibited AMF colonization rate in maize roots, reduced the contents of total and easily extractable glomalin-related soil protein (GRSP) in soil and the Cd uptake in maize roots, and increased the Cd uptake in shoots. Particulate Cd was the main form of Cd loss in runoff, while dissolved Cd was the main form of Cd leaching loss at depths of 20 cm and 40 cm. Inhibiting AMF increased the Cd concentration in runoff and interflow and promoted dissolved Cd loss in runoff and interflow at 20 cm depth by 34.7% and 68.0% and particulate Cd loss by 46.4% and 19.7%, respectively. Furthermore, the AMF colonization rate in maize roots and the GRSP content in soil were significantly positively correlated with Cd uptake in roots and negatively correlated with the concentration and loss of Cd in runoff and interflow. These results indicated that the benomyl-induced inhibition of native AMF promoted Cd transfer to maize shoots and increased Cd loss via runoff and interflow from polluted farmland.     

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.     

Establishment of shrub species in a degraded semiarid site after inoculation with native or allochthonous arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi

The re-establishment of native shrub species in the Mediterranean basin serves to restore the characteristic biodiversity and to prevent the processes of erosion and desertification in semiarid areas. A field experiment was carried out in an abandoned semiarid agricultural Mediterranean area to assess the effectiveness of mycorrhizal inoculation, with a mixture of native arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi or an allochthonous AM fungus (Glomus claroideum), on the establishment of Olea europaea subsp. sylvestris L., Pistacia lentiscus L., Retama sphaerocarpa (L.) Boissier and Rhamnus lycioides L. seedlings in this area. One year after planting, shoot biomass of inoculated O. europaea and P. lentiscus seedlings was greater, by about 630% and 300%, respectively, than that of non-inoculated plants. Shoot biomass of G. claroideum-colonised R. sphaerocarpa plants was significantly greater than that of seedlings inoculated with the mixed native AM fungi after 12 months. The increase of R. lycioides growth due to inoculation with native AM fungi was significantly greater than that of G. claroideum-colonised seedlings during the same growth period. Inoculation with a mix of native AM fungi was the most effective treatment for increasing shoot biomass and N, P and K contents in shoot tissues of R. lycioides seedlings. The mixture of native AM fungi was the most effective with respect to colonisation of the roots of O. europaea and R. lycioides, but the native AM fungi and G. claroideum achieved similar levels of colonisation in P. lentiscus and R. sphaerocarpa. The use of native mycorrhizal potential as a source of AM inoculum may be considered a preferential inoculation strategy to guarantee the successful re-establishment of native shrub species in a semiarid degraded soil.     

Dependency of Cassia siamea on vesicular arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi

Thirty‐day‐old seedlings of Cassia siamea were transplanted into pots containing a subsurface Oxisol uninoculated or inoculated with Glomus agaregatum at two target soil solution phosphorus (P) concentrations. While no evidence of Vesicular‐arbuscular mycorrhizal fungal (VAMF) colonization was noted in the uninoculated soil, C. siamea roots were colonized to the extent of 63 and 61% at soil P concentrations of 0.02 and 0.2 mg/L, respectively. VAMF colonization led to significant increases in tissue P concentrations measured at harvest at both soil P concentrations. However, shoot dry matter yield was significantly increased only at the first soil P concentration. Shoot dry matter yield of mycorrhizal C. siamea at soil P concentration of 0.02 mg/L was comparable to mycorrhizal growth of C. siamea at soil P concentration of 0.2 mg/L but inferior to the nonmycorrhizal growth of the legume. Based on these response patterns, C. siamea was classified as a highly mycorrhizal dependent species.     

Shrubs influence arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi communities in a semi-arid environment

Interactions between arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) and plants are essential components of ecosystem functioning; however, they remain poorly known in dry ecosystems. We examined the relationship between seven shrub species and their associated AMF community in a semi-arid plant community in southern Spain. Soil characteristics and plant physiological status were measured and related to AMF community composition and genetic diversity by multivariate statistics. We found differences in AMF communities in soils under shrubs and in gaps among them, whereas no differences were detected among AMF communities colonizing roots. Soil nutrients content drove most of the spatial variations in the AMF community and genetic diversity. AMF communities were more heterogeneous in fertile islands with low nitrogen-to-phosphorus ratio and vice versa. AMF genetic diversity increased in soils limited by phosphorus and with high soil organic matter content, while AMF genetic diversity increased in roots growing in soil not limited by phosphorus. Overall, we could not find a clear link between plant performance and the associated AMF community. Our findings show that different shrub species generate islands of fertility which differ in nutrient content and, therefore, support different AMF communities, increasing AMF diversity at the landscape level.