Ectomycorrhizal and Saprotrophic Fungal Communities Vary Across mm-Scale Soil Microsites Differing in Phosphatase Activity

To understand nutrient cycling in soils, soil processes and microorganisms need be better characterized. To determine whether specific trophic groups of fungi are associated with soil enzyme activity, we used soil imprinting to guide mm-scale sampling from microsites with high and low phosphatase activities in birch/Douglas-fir stands. Study 1 involved sampling one root window per site at 12 sites of different ages (stands); study 2 was conducted at one of the stem-exclusion stands, at which 5 root windows had been installed. Total fungal and ectomycorrhizal (EM) fungal terminal-restriction fragment length polymorphism (TRFLP) fingerprints differed between high-and low-phosphatase activity microsites at 8 of 12 root windows across 12 sites. Where differences were detected, fewer EM fungi were detected in high-than low-phosphatase activity microsites. Using 5 root windows at one site, next-generation sequencing detected similar fungal communities across microsites, but the ratio of saprotrophic to EM fungal reads was higher in high-phosphatase activity microsites in the two windows that had low EM fungal richness. In windows with differences in fungal communities, both studies indicated that EM fungi were less successful than saprotrophic fungi in colonizing fine-scale, organic matter-rich microsites. Fine-scale sampling linked with in situ detection of enzyme activity revealed relationships between soil fungal communities and phosphatase activity that could not be observed at the scales employed by conventional approaches, thereby contributing to the understanding of fine-scale phosphorus cycling in forest soils.     

Allelopathic effects of artemisinin on ectomycorrhizal fungal isolates in vitro

The anti-malarial drug artemisinin is extracted from the leaves of Artemisia annua L. The release of artemisinin into forest soils could produce a potential risk for forest ecosystems, including effects on ectomycorrhizal fungal nutrient uptake, in areas where commercial and continual cultivation of the medicinal plant A. annua L. is practiced. Therefore, growth, proton and oxalate efflux, and nutrient uptake (nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium) of three isolates of Suillus luteus (S. luteus 1, S. luteus 13, and S. luteus 11) and of one isolate of Suillus subluteus (S. subluteus 12) were compared in culture solutions with different nominal artemisinin concentrations. The results showed that artemisinin inhibited significantly the growth of all studied fungi. With 25 mg artemisinin L⁻¹ added, fungal biomass was decreased by 78.6% (S. luteus 1), 96.7% (S. luteus 13), 77.8% (S. luteus 11) and 86.8% (S. subluteus 12) compared with the control (without artemisinin). This could explain, at least in part, why ectomycorrhizal fungal sporocarps in forests are consistently not found near cultivated A. annua L. fields. The amount of proton efflux by the fungal isolates also decreased as nominal artemisinin concentrations increased, indicating the limited ability of ectomycorrhizal fungi to mobilize nutrients from soil minerals. However, nominal artemisinin significantly increased the rate of fungal oxalate efflux, suggesting membrane damage and the abnormal opening of anion channels on hyphae cell membranes. Nominal artemisinin also decreased the uptake of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium by the fungal isolates, which may not benefit from the nutrient uptake by ectomycorrhizae. Therefore, artemisinin released from large A. annua L. plantations may inhibit ectomycorrhizal fungal growth, nutrition and functions in forest ecosystems in Southwest China.     

Invertebrate grazing affects nitrogen partitioning in the saprotrophic fungus Phanerochaete velutina

The heterogeneity of nutrients in forest soils is governed by many biotic and abiotic factors. The significance of nutrient patchiness in determining soil processes remains poorly understood. Some saprotrophic basidiomycete fungi influence nutrient heterogeneity by forming large mycelial networks that enable translocation of nutrients between colonized patches of dead organic matter. The effect of mycophagous soil fauna on these networks and subsequent nutrient redistribution has, however, been little studied. We used a soil microcosm system to investigate the potential effects of a mycophagous collembola, Protaphorura armata, on nutrient transfer within, and nutrient loss from, the mycelium of a saprotrophic basidiomycete fungus, Phanerochaete velutina. A ¹⁵N label, added to central mycelium, was used to track nitrogen movement within the microcosms across 32 days. Although collembola grazing had little impact on δ¹⁵N values, it did alter the partitioning of ¹⁵N between different regions of mycelia. Less ¹⁵N was transferred to new mycelial growth in grazed systems than in ungrazed systems, presumably because collembola reduced fungal growth rate and altered mycelial morphology. Surprisingly, collembola grazing did not increase the mineralization of N from mycelium into the bulk soil. Overall, our results suggest that mycophagous soil fauna can alter nutrient flux and partitioning within fungal mycelium; this has the potential to affect the dynamics and spatial heterogeneity of forest floor nutrients.     

Temporal and functional pattern of secreted enzyme activities in an ectomycorrhizal community

The ectomycorrhizal community of an oak forest has been monitored monthly throughout fifteen months. Eight enzymatic activities secreted by the ectomycorrhizal root tips and involved in the mobilization of nutrients from soil organic matter have been measured using microplate assays, resulting in potential activity patterns of individual fungal species. Both the species structure of the community and the specific activity level of each individual species changed with the season and soil horizon. This versatility may be an adaptative response of the ectomycorrhizal fungal community to a highly variable environment. The results also suggest that some ectomycorrhizal fungi behave as occasional saprobes and contribute to the decomposition of soil organic matter and nutrient cycling together with true saprotrophic fungi.     

Differential response of ectomycorrhizal and saprotrophic fungal mycelium from coniferous forest soils to selected monoterpenes

The mycelia of saprotrophic (SP) and ectomycorrhizal (ECM) fungi occur throughout the upper soil horizons in coniferous forests and could therefore be exposed to high concentrations of monoterpenes occurring in the needle litter of some tree species.Monoterpenes are mycotoxic and could potentially affect fungi that are exposed to them in the litter layers. In order to investigate whether monoterpenes typical of coniferous litters could influence fungal communities, we analysed the monoterpene content of freshly fallen needles of Pinus sylvestris, Picea abies and Picea sitchensis. The most abundant monoterpenes were found to be α-pinene, β-pinene and 3-carene. We evaluated the effects of these three monoterpene vapours on the biomass production of 23 SP isolates and 16 ECM isolates. Overall, 75% of ECM isolates and 26% of SP isolates were significantly inhibited by at least one of the monoterpene treatments and both intra- and inter-specific variations in response were observed.Monoterpene concentrations are highest in surface litters. The differential effects on fungal taxa may influence the spatial and temporal distribution of fungal community composition, indirectly affecting decomposition and nutrient cycling, the fundamental ecosystem processes in which fungi have a key role in coniferous forest soils.     

The role of ectomycorrhizal communities in forest ecosystem processes: New perspectives and emerging concepts

The fungal symbionts forming ectomycorrhizas, as well as their associated bacteria, benefit forest trees in a number of ways although the most important is enhancing soil nutrient mobilization and uptake. This is reciprocated by the allocation of carbohydrates by the tree to the fungus through the root interface, making the relationship a mutualistic association. Many field observations suggest that ectomycorrhizal fungi contribute to a number of key ecosystem functions such as carbon cycling, nutrient mobilization from soil organic matter, nutrient mobilization from soil minerals, and linking trees through common mycorrhizal networks. Until now, it has been very difficult to study trees and their fungal associates in forest ecosystems and most of the work on ECM functioning has been done in laboratory or nursery conditions. In this review with discuss the possibility of working at another scale, in forest settings. Numerous new techniques are emerging that makes possible the in situ study of the functional diversity of ectomycorrhizal communities. This approach should help to integrate developing research on the functional ecology of ectomycorrhizas and their associated bacteria with the potential implications of such research for managing the effects of climate change on forests.     

The relationship between vesicular-arbuscular mycorrhiza and lime: Associated effects on the growth and nutrition of brachiaria grass (Brachiaria decumbens)

Summary We studied the effects of limining on growth and nutrient concentrations of Brachiaria decumbens inoculated with five vesicular-arbuscular mycorrhizal (VAM) fungal assemblages which orginated from soils with different acidity. Liming increased plant growth when applied at rates up to 3 g kg^-1 soil and depressed growth at higher rates. Mycorrhizal plants grew better than non-mycorrhizal ones in unlimed soil and also liming rates of 4.5 and 6.0 g kg^-1 soil. The growth amelioration effects of VAM in highly acid or over-limed soils were related to nutrient uptake. VAM fungi isolated from an acidic soil exhibited a high symbiotic effectiveness and were better adapted to unlimed soil than those that originated from non-acidic soils. VAM root colonization, 90 days after planting, was little affected by liming. Fungal spore production and species compositions were highly affected by liming. A mixture of Glomus diaphanum and Glomus occultum predominated in unlimed soils inoculated with VAM assemblages isolated from non-acidic soils. In these fungal assemblages, an increased liming rate favored Glomus etunicatum over the other VAM fungi. Gigaspora margarita sporulated abundantly when introduced into unlimed soils, but rarely in limed soils. VAM appear to be crucial for the establishment of brachiaria pastures in the nutrient-deficient acidic soils of Central Brazil. It is suggested that liming may cause striking shifts in VAM populations which may, in turn, have a long-term impact on agricultural productivity in the tropics.     

农业土壤中频繁施用有机质提高土壤抑菌作用

Soil-borne plant pathogens are among the most important limiting factors for the productivity of agro-ecosystems.Fungistasis is the natural capability of soils to inhibit the germination and growth of soil-borne fungi in the presence of optimal abiotic conditions.The objective of this study was to assess the effects of different soil managements,in terms of soil amendment types and frequency of application,on fungistasis.For this purpose,a microcosm experiment was performed by conditioning a soil with frequent applications of organic matter with contrasting biochemical quality (i.e.,glucose,alfalfa straw and wheat straw).Thereafter,the fungistasis response was assessed on four fungi (Aspergillus niger,Botrytis cinerea,Pyrenochaeta lycopersici and Trichoderma harzianum).Conditioned soils were characterized by measuring microbial activity (soil respiration) and functional diversity using the BIOLOG EcoPlatesTM method.Results showed that irrespective of the fungal species and amendment types,frequent applications of organic matter reduced fungistasis relief and shortened the time required for fungistasis restoration.The frequent addition of easily decomposable organic compounds enhanced soil respiration and its specific catabolic capabilities.This study demonstrated that frequent applications of organic matter affected soil fungistasis likely as a result of higher microbial activity and functional diversity.     

Decoupled stoichiometric,isotopic, and fungal responses of an ectomycorrhizal black spruce forest to nitrogen and phosphorus additions

Many northern forests are limited by nitrogen (N) availability, slight changes in which can have profound effects on ecosystem function and the activity of ectomycorrhizal (EcM) fungi. Increasing N and phosphorus (P) availability, an analog to accelerated soil organic matter decomposition in a warming climate, could decrease plant dependency on EcM fungi and increase plant productivity as a result of greater carbon use efficiency. However, the impact of altered N and P availability on the growth and activity of EcM fungi in boreal forests remains poorly understood despite recognition of their importance to host plant nutrition and soil carbon sequestration. To address such uncertainty we examined above and belowground ecosystem properties in a boreal black spruce forest following five years of factorial N and P additions. By combining detailed soil, fungal, and plant δ¹⁵N measurements with in situ metrics of fungal biomass, growth, and activity, we found both expected and unexpected patterns. Soil nitrate isotope values became ¹⁵N enriched in response to both N and P additions; fungal biomass was repressed by N yet both biomass and growth were stimulated by P; and, black spruce dependency on EcM derived N increased slightly when N and P were added alone yet significantly declined when added in combination. These findings contradict predictions that N fertilization would increase plant P demands and P fertilization would further exacerbate plant N demands. As a result, the prediction that EcM fungi predictably respond to plant N limitation was not supported. These findings highlight P as an under appreciated mediator of the activity of denitrifying bacteria, EcM fungi, and the dynamics of N cycles in boreal forests. Further, use of δ¹⁵N values from bulk soils, plants, and fungi to understand how EcM systems respond to changing nutrient availabilities will often require additional ecological information.     

Solubilization of toxic metal minerals and metal tolerance of mycorrhizal fungi

This work investigates the ability of ericoid mycorrhizal (ErM) and ectomycorrhizal (EcM) fungi to solubilize different toxic metal (Cd, Cu, Pb, Zn)-containing minerals. Minerals were incorporated into solidified agar media and solubilization assessed by measuring clearing of the agar after fungal growth. Measurement of radial growth and biomass dry weight provided indications of metal tolerance: accumulated metal in the biomass was measured by atomic absorption spectrophotometry. Metal tolerance and solubilizing ability varied widely between different mineral and fungal species, and strains derived from sites of differing degrees of metal pollution. Zinc phosphate exhibited the least toxicity and was the easiest to solubilize by the majority of tested fungal isolates. Solubilization of toxic metal minerals was connected with both the pH of the medium and growth and tolerance of fungi and it seems that acidification of the medium was the main mechanism of mineral dissolution for most of the mycorrhizal fungi studied. A very strong lethal effect was observed for ectomycorrhizal isolates (>60% of strains) in the presence of Pb phosphate, carbonate, sulphide and tetraoxide. In contrast, ericoid mycorrhizal isolates were able to grow on Pb-mineral-amended media. A significant proportion of ericoid mycorrhizal cultures (70-90%) solubilized Cd and Cu phosphates and cuprite. None of the ericoid mycorrhizal and ectomycorrhizal fungi were able to produce a clear zone in Pb mineral-containing agar. However, many fungi were able to accumulate mobilized Pb in their mycelia. Differences in toxic metal mineral tolerance, mineral solubilization and metal uptake between populations isolated from metal-polluted and uncontaminated sites were related to the toxic metal which was the main pollutant in the original contaminated environment. In general, metal-tolerant fungi grew and solubilized toxic metal minerals better than non-tolerant isolates.     

Aluminium and lead tolerance in ectomycorrhizal fungi

Al and Pb tolerance of different ectomycorrhizal fungi was tested in Petri dishes divided into three compartments. One compartment contained nutrient solution supplemented with Al or Pb but without P to avoid precipitation of Al or Pb phosphates. Phosphate was supplied in the agar compartment while a third compartment served as control containing nutrient solution without P. The tested ectomycorrhizal fungal species and isolates varied greatly in their Al and Pb tolerance. A more than 50% growth reduction was observed at 2000 μM Al in Paxillus involutus MAI but already at 200 μM in P. involutus NAU and P. involutus 533. In contrast, growth of Pisolithus tinctorius 956 appeared to be stimulated by Al. Al tolerance therefore decreased in the following order: P. tinctorius 956 > P. involutus MAI > P. involutus NAU, P. involutus 533. To test the effect of agar on Al tolerance, P. involutus MAI was grown with agar in all three compartments. In presence of agar, even 2000 μM Al had no effect on growth. Lead at concentrations of 1 and 10 μM Pb had no significant effect on fungal growth. A more than 50% decrease of mycelial surface area occurred at 500 μM Pb in P. involutus MAI and P. involutus 533 and at 100 μM Pb in P. involutus NAU and P. tinctorius 956. Pb tolerance therefore decreased in the following order: P. involutus MAI, P. involutus 533 > P. involutus NAU, P. tinctorius 956. Divided Petri plates appear to be a valuable tool to test metal tolerance of fungi as complexation of the metals by agar or precipitation with P are avoided. The results indicate that some ectomycorrhizal fungi may be more sensitive to Al and Pb than previously reported.     

粘土矿物中钾的生物活化: Ⅱ. 外生菌根真菌(的作用)

Ectomycorrhizal fungi, including Cenococcum geophilum SIV (Cg SIV), and Pisolithus tinctorius 2144 (Pt 2144), 441 (Pt 441) and XC1 (Pt XC1), were cultured in Pachlewski liquid medium with H₂KPO₄, KCl-saturated vermiculite and mica as K sources, respectively, to investigate the mechanism of K absorption and mobilization by the fungi. Fungal growth rate, K absorption and mobilization varied significantly among the fungal species. Faster growth and greater K accumulation in Pt XC1 than Pt 2144, Pt 441 and Cg siv were observed. Ectomycorrhizal fungi depressed HCl-soluble K in minerals after successive extractions by water and NH₄OAc. Ratio of the total amount of K, including water-, NH₄OAc- and HCl-soluble K, lost from substrates to the K accumulated in fungal colonies was less than 60%. These reveal that the ectomycorrhizal fungi could utilize K in interlayer and structural pools, which are usually unavailable for plants in short period. Large differences in the depletion of K in interlayer and structural pools by fungi were observed at fungal harvest. Taking into account the nutrient absorption by ectomycorrhizal fungi in symbionts and the direct contact between hyphae and soils, the fungi species colonized on the root surfaces seemed to be related to the effectiveness of mycorrhizas to utilize K in soils. Ectomycorrhizal fungi differed in the efflux of protons and oxalate. Pt XC1 was observed to have greatest ability to effuse protons and oxalate among the fungi adopted in the experiment. Furthermore, the higher the concentrations of protons and oxalate in the liquid culture solutions, the larger the depletion of K in interlayer and structural pools in minerals by fungi. Protons could replace interlayer K and chelation of oxalate with Fe and Al in crystal lattice could cause weathering of clay minerals. So, protons and oxalate produced by ectomycorrhizal fungi might play an important role in K mobilization in these two pools.     

Effects of metals on the germination and growth of fungal isolates from New Caledonian ultramafic soils

Soils of New Caledonian mining areas have relatively high metal contents. Two ultramafic soils rich in extractable Mn, Fe, Ni and Co and two agricultural soils with much lower concentrations of metals were compared through different experiments. Microbial population numbers and their tolerance to Mn²⁺ and Ni²⁺ were estimated. The effect of five metals (Ni²⁺, Co²⁺, Fe²⁺, Mn²⁺ and Mg²⁺) upon spore germination and mycelial growth was investigated for fungi isolated from the two types of soils. Nickel appeared to be the most toxic metal, but the other metals also had inhibitory effects at concentrations similar to those which occur in ultramafic soils. Spore germination was more sensitive to metals than mycelial growth. The toxic effects of the five metals were not cumulative when mixed together into the medium; antagonism between ions, partly neutralizing their effects may account for this. Fungal isolates from ultramafic soils appeared to be more tolerant to metals than those from agricultural soils. Some ultramafic soil isolates appeared to actually require the presence of metals, with their growth being stimulated by relatively high concentrations of these elements. Two fungal isolates of genera which are often common in agricultural soils (i.e. Curvularia and Fusarium), and which are not present in New Caledonian ultramafic soils were also tested. Curvularia was more sensitive to the five metals than all the other isolates and Fusarium was particularly inhibited by Ni²⁺. However, a proportion of the spores of each isolate was able to germinate and to grow moderately well in the presence of relatively high metal concentrations. Their absence from ultramafic soils is thought to result from their elimination by competitors that are more tolerant to metals.     

Bio—Mobilization of Potassium from Clay Minerals：II.By ectmycorrhizal Fungi

Ectomycorrhizal ungi,including Cenococcum geophilum SIV( Cg SIV),and Pisolithus tinctorius 2144(Pt 2144),441(Pt 441) and XC1(Pt XC1),were cultured in Pachlewski liquid medium with H2KPO4,KCl-saturated vermiculite and mica as K sources,respectively,to investigate the mechanism of K absorption and mobilization by the fungi,FUngal growth rate,K absoprtion and mobilization varied significantly among the fungal species,Faster growth and greater K accumulation in Pt XC1 than Pt 2144,Pt 441 and Cg siv were observed.Ectomycorrhizal fungi depressed HCl-soluble K in minerals after successive extractions by water and NH4OAc.Ratio of the total amount of K,including water-,NH4OAc-and HCl-soluble K,lost from substrates to the K accumulated in fungal colonies was less than 60%.These reveal that the ectomycorrhizal fungi could utilize K in Interlayer and structural pools,which are usually unavailable for plants in short period.Large differences in the depletion of K in interlayer and structural pools by fungi were observed at fungal harvest.Taking into account the nutrient absorption by ectomycorrhizal fungi in symbionts and the direct contact between hyphae and soils,the fungi species colonized on the root surfaces seemed to be related to the effectiveness of mycorrhizas to utilize K in soils.Ectomycorrhizal fungi differed in the efflux of protons and oxalate.Pt XC1 was observed to have greatest ability to effuse protons and oxalate among the fungi adopted in the experiment.Furthermore,the higther the concentrations of protons and oxalate in the liquid culture solutions,the larger the depletion of K in interlayer and structural pools in minerals by fungi,Protons could replace interlayer K and chelation of oxalate with Fe and Al in crystal lattice could cause weathering of clay minerals.So,protons and oxalate produced by ectomycorrhizal fungi might play an important role in K mobilization in these two pools.     

Woodland trees modulate soil resources and conserve fungal diversity in fragmented landscapes

Resource islands around woody plants are thought to define the structure and function of many semiarid and arid ecosystems, but their role in patterning of soil microbial communities remains largely unexamined in dry environments. This study examined soil resource distribution and associated fungal communities in two Allocasuarina luehmannii (buloke) remnants of semiarid north-western Victoria, Australia. These savannah-like woodlands are listed as endangered due to extensive clearing for agriculture. We used the DNA-based profiling technique T-RFLP and ordination-based statistical methods to compare fungal community compositions in surface soils from two remnants (located 1.6 km apart) and three sampling positions (beneath individual buloke canopies; grassy inter-canopy areas; and adjoining cleared paddocks). Resource island formation beneath buloke trees was clearly evident in soil physicochemical properties (e.g. threefold concentrations of total carbon and nitrogen in canopy versus non-canopy soils). This heterogeneity of resources was moderately correlated with soil fungal community compositions, which were distinct for each sampling position. We argue that fungal composition patterns reflected multiple roles of fungi in dryland ecosystems, namely: responses of saprotrophic fungi to tree organic matter inputs; specificity of ectomycorrhizal fungi to tree rooting zones; and fungal involvement in biological soil crusts that variably covered non-canopy soils. Our data did not indicate that buloke canopy areas were particular hotspots of soil fungal diversity, but that they increased landscape-level diversity by supporting a distinct suite of fungi. In addition, we provide evidence of phylogenetic differentiation of soil fungal communities between our two remnants, which adds to growing evidence of fungal genetic structure at localised scales. These findings highlight the importance of remnant trees in conserving both soil resources and microbial genetic diversity. In addition, evidence of differentiation of soil fungal phylogenetics between nearby but isolated remnants suggests that conserving soil fungal diversity requires conservation of host habitats over their entire (remaining) range, and indicates previously unseen consequences of tree loss from extensively cleared landscapes.     

Effects of different organic materials and mineral nutrients on arbuscular mycorrhizal fungal growth in a Mediterranean saline dryland

Arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi are root symbionts that enhance plant growth and improve soil fertility and soil structure in drylands. Even though AM fungi are obligate biotrophs, organic matter (OM) can stimulate their growth, but the mechanisms behind this are still unknown. Here, we compared the effect of nutrient patches of different OM sources to intrinsic components of OM such as inorganic nutrient supply and an improved soil water-holding capacity (WHC; via application of hydrophilic polymers), on AM fungal growth. Fatty acids extracted from in-growth mesh bags incubated in the field were used as biomarkers for AM fungi and other soil microbes. We found an enhancement of AM fungal growth in certain nutrient patches. Two out of three OM types stimulated AM fungal growth strongly, and also the addition of inorganic nutrients enhanced AM fungi, though to a lesser extent than OM. Enhanced soil WHC, on the other hand, did not influence AM fungal growth. AMF were more strongly enhanced by the mineral nutrients relative to other soil organisms. Intrinsic nutrients might be an important factor for AMF growth stimulation in OM additions, but there was no evidence that nutrients alone can explain this phenomenon.     

Ectomycorrhizal fungi and dark septate endophyte inoculation improve growth and tolerance of Pinus tabulaeformis under cadmium stress

Forest trees can establish symbiotic associations with dark septate endophytes (DSEs) and ectomycorrhizal fungi (ECMF) simultaneously. However, the combined effects of these two fungi on the growth and cadmium (Cd) tolerance of host plants remain largely unexplored. To address this knowledge gap, a pot experiment was conducted to examine the effects of the interaction between an ECMF strain (Suillus granulatus) and a DSE strain (Pseudopyrenochaeta sp.) on Pinus tabulaeformis under Cd stress, by assessing plant growth and physiological parameters, nutrient uptake, and soil properties. Notably, the colonization rates of both fungal strains were found to increase in response to Cd stress, with the extent of this increase being influenced by the specific fungal species and the Cd level in the soil. Compared to the non-inoculation treatment, single inoculation with fungal strain resulted in enhanced biomass, root development, and nutrient contents in P. tabulaeformis seedlings under Cd stress. Furthermore, a synergistic effect was observed when these seedlings were co-inoculated with S. granulatus and Pseudopyrenochaeta sp., as indicated by significantly greater measurements in various indicators compared to both the single and non-inoculation treatments. Fungal inoculation effectively regulated the antioxidant defense responses and photosynthesis of P. tabulaeformis seedlings subjected to Cd stress, particularly in the co-inoculation treatment. In addition, fungal inoculation facilitated the Cd accumulation in P. tabulaeformis, suggesting a promising potential for the implementation of bioremediation strategies in the areas contaminated with heavy metals. The findings from this study indicate that the utilization of root symbiotic fungi obtained from stress environments could potentially enhance the growth performance and tolerance of P. tabulaeformis towards heavy metals, and co-inoculation of both fungal groups may result in even more pronounced synergistic effects on the overall fitness of the plant.     

Potential for monoterpenes to affect ectomycorrhizal and saprotrophic fungal activity in coniferous forests is revealed by novel experimental system

The fungal community in coniferous forest soils plays a pivotal role in ecosystem processes such as decomposition and carbon and nutrient cycling. Both saprotrophic (SP) and ectomycorrhizal (ECM) fungi occur throughout the upper soil horizons in coniferous forests and could therefore be exposed to high concentrations of monoterpenes occurring in the needle litter and roots of some tree species. Previous work has noted the differential effects of monoterpenes on the mycelial growth of a range of both SP and ECM fungi when grown in artificial nutrient media. This study used a novel experimental system to assess the effect of environmentally relevant concentrations of monoterpenes on the activity of ECM and SP fungi grown on more natural substrata. Exposure of the ECM fungus Paxillus involutus (Batsch) Fr. to vapours of either α-pinene or β-pinene resulted in a significantly greater proportion of root tips being colonised by the fungus when it was grown with seedlings of Picea abies (L.) Karst. Exposure to monoterpenes resulted in a significant decrease in respiration rate of two species of litter degrading SP fungi, Mycena galopus var. candida J. E. Lange and Collybia butyracea (Bull.) P. Kumm. There was no difference in response between the two SP species, despite the fact that previous tests in liquid nutrient media, with monoterpenes at higher concentrations, indicated that one species was sensitive and one was not. The high volatility and low solubility of monoterpenes in water make them challenging to work with. The experimental system developed here, although still artificial, provides a bridge between pure culture studies in defined media and all the complexities of forest soils in the field, by allowing the exposure of fungi to environmentally relevant monoterpene concentrations in more natural substrata.     

Rapid incorporation of carbon from ectomycorrhizal mycelial necromass into soil fungal communities

Ectomycorrhizal mycelial necromass is an important source of carbon for free-living microorganisms in forest soils, yet we know little either of its fate when it enters soil or of the identity of microbes that are able to utilise mycelium as their energy source. Here we used ¹³C-labelled mycelium of the ectomycorrhizal fungus Pisolithus microcarpus in laboratory incubations in combination with DNA-stable isotope probing (SIP) to determine the identity of functionally active soil fungi that can utilise dead mycelium. We also used solid-state nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy to detect parallel changes in the abundance of key biochemical constituents of soil. A decrease in bulk soil ¹³C concentration together with rapid loss of glycogen and chitin-glucan during the 4 week incubations suggested that dead mycelium was rapidly turned over. Further, ¹³C was incorporated into fungal DNA within 7 days of addition to soil. DNA-SIP also revealed a dynamic community of functionally active soil fungi. By applying DNA-SIP and NMR in parallel, our data show that carbon from decaying ectomycorrhizal mycelium is rapidly transformed and incorporated into free-living soil fungi. This finding emphasises that dead extra-matrical mycelium is an important source of labile carbon for soil microorganisms.     

外生菌根真菌对土壤无机磷迁移的影响

Ectomycorrhizal(EM) fungi could form symbiosis with plant roots and participate in nutrient absorption; however, many EM species commonly found in forest soils, where phosphorus(P) concentration and availability are usually very low, particularly in tropical and subtropical areas, have not yet been investigated for their efficiencies to mobilize soil P. In this study, fungal growth, P absorption,efflux of protons and organic acids, and soil P depletion by four isolates of EM fungi isolated either from acidic or calcareous soils were compared in pure liquid culture using soil as a sole P source. Boletus sp. 7(Bo 7), Lactarius deliciosus 3(Ld 3), and Pisolithus tinctorius 715(Pt 715) from acidic and P-deficient soils of southwestern China showed higher biomass and P concentration and accumulation than Cenococcum geophilum 4(Cg 4) from a calcareous soil of Inner Mongolia, northern China, after 4 weeks of liquid culture. Oxalate, malate, succinate, acetate, and citrate concentrations in the culture solutions varied significantly with fungal species,and oxalate accounted for 51.5%–91.4% of the total organic acids. Organic acids, particularly oxalate, in the culture solutions may lead to the solubilization of iron-bound P(Fe-P), aluminum-bound P(Al-P), and occluded P(O-P) from soil phosphates. Fungal species also varied greatly in proton efflux, which decreased the culture solution pH and may dissolve calcium-bound P(Ca-P) in soil.This could be the reason for the increment of both inorganic P in the culture solutions and Olsen P in the soil when EM fungi were present. Total inorganic P, the sum of Al-P, Fe-P, O-P, and Ca-P, in the culture solutions was positively correlated with the total concentration of organic acids in the culture solutions(r = 0.918*, n = 5), but negatively with both the total inorganic P in soil(r =-0.970**, n = 5) and the culture solution pH(r =-0.830*, n = 5). These suggested variable efficiencies of EM fungal species to mobilize inorganic P fractions from soil, which could make EM trees to utilize inorganic P in the same way like EM fungi and adapt to the soils with various P concentrations and availabilities.