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.     

玉米营养体分析及其应用

根据1987～1999年玉米长期丰歉定位试验研究提出了玉米营养体(茎粗×株高)代替干物质量的分析方法,采用该方法可客观地揭示出玉米在不同环境条件下生长规律与产量形成的关系,且较干物质量与产量形成的关系规律完全相同,从而为研究玉米生态学增加了新的生态指标.     

Using arbuscular mycorrhiza to reduce the stressful effects of soil compaction on corn (Zea mays L.) growth

Soil compaction is of great importance in agriculture, because its high levels may adversely affect plant growth and the environment. Since mechanical methods are not very efficient and economical, using biological methods to alleviate the stress of soil compaction on plant growth may be beneficial. The objectives of this study were to: (1) evaluate the effects of soil compaction on corn (Zea mays L.) growth, and (2) test the hypothesis that applying arbuscular mycorrhiza (AM) with different origins can partially or completely overcome the stressful effects of soil compaction on corn growth under unsterilized and sterilized conditions. Corn was planted in unsterilized and sterilized compacted soils, while treated with three species of AM including, Iranian Glomus mosseae, Iranian Glomus etunicatum, and Canadian Glomus mosseae, received from GINCO (Glomales in vitro Collection), Canada. Plant growth variables and soil resistance parameters were determined. AM significantly increased root fresh (maximum of 94% increase) and dry (maximum of 100% increase) weights in the compacted soil. AM with different origins may improve corn growth in compacted soils, though its effectiveness is related to the level of compaction and also to the interaction with other soil microorganisms.     

Interactions between Sclerotium rolfsii and Trichoderma spp: Relationship between antagonism and disease control

Ten isolates of Trichoderma spp were examined for their ability to antagonize growth and to parasitize mycelium of Sclerotium rolfsii (Sr-1) on agar media, to inhibit germination of sclerotia of S. rolfsii on natural soil plates and to sporulate on the sclerotia, and to protect bean seedlings against the pathogen in the greenhouse. A high negative correlation (r = ?0.844) was observed between plant stand in the greenhouse and sclerotial germination on soil plates but not with antagonism on agar plates. Three isolates of T. harzianum (Th-7, Th-20, WT-6) and one of T. hamatum (TRI-4) were especially effective in reducing sclerotial germination and controlling disease in the greenhouse. Three isolates of Trichoderma spp (WT-6, TMP, and TRI-4), effective in reducing sclerotial germination of isolate Sr-1, also prevented sclerotial germination in four out of five additional S. rolfsii isolates studied.     

Interactions between the arbuscular mycorrhizal fungus Glomus intraradices and the plant growth promoting rhizobacteria Paenibacillus polymyxa and P. macerans in the mycorrhizosphere of Cucumis sativus

Interactions between the arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungus Glomus intraradices and bacteria from the genus Paenibacillus (P. macerans and P. polymyxa) were examined in a greenhouse pot experiment with Cucumis sativus with and without organic matter amendment (wheat bran). P. polymyxa markedly suppressed AM fungus root colonization irrespective of wheat bran amendment, whereas P. macerans only suppressed AM fungus root colonization in combination with wheat bran amendment. Dual inoculation with P. macerans and G. intraradices in combination with wheat bran amendment also caused severe plant growth suppression. Inoculation with G. intraradices was associated with increased levels of dehydrogenase activity and available P in the growth substrate suggesting that mycorrhiza formation accelerated the decomposition of organic matter resulting in mobilization of phosphorus. Inoculation with both Paenibacillus species increased all measured microbial fatty acid biomarkers in the cucumber rhizosphere, except for the AM fungus biomarker 16:1ω5, which was reduced, though not significantly. Similarly, inoculation with G. intraradices increased all measured microbial fatty acid biomarkers in the cucumber rhizosphere, except for the Gram-positive bacteria biomarker 15:0 anteiso, which was overall decreased by G. intraradices inoculation. In combination with wheat bran amendment G. intraradices inoculation caused a 39% reduction in the amount of 15:0 anteiso in the treatment with P. polymyxa, suggesting that G. intraradices suppressed P. polymyxa in this treatment. In conclusion, plant growth promoting species of Paenibacillus may have suppressive effects of AM fungi and plant growth, especially in combination with organic matter amendment. The use of an inert plant growth media in the present study allowed us to study rhizosphere microbial interactions in a relative simple substrate with limited interference from other soil biota. However, the results obtained in the present work mainly show potential interactions and should not be directly extrapolated to a soil situation.     

Field inoculation of Medicago with V-A mycorrhiza and Rhizobium in phosphate-fixing agricultural soil

Field inoculation of Medicago sativa with its symbiotic partners Rhizobium meliloti and the endomycorrhizal fungus Glomus mosseae was assayed under standard agricultural conditions in untreated arable phosphate-fixing soil. Glomus mosseae was successfully introduced and efficiently stimulated plant growth, N incorporation and P uptake. In contrast with a previous filed experiment, Rhizobium meliloti was also effective when inoculated alone. The dual inoculation of Rhizobium + Glomus more than doubled yield compared to an uninoculated control.     

丛枝菌根菌对棉花生长及产量的影响

研究了不施肥与施P肥3种丛植菌根菌C．igaspora(Gi．r) Glomus mosseae(G．m)和Glomus versiforme(G．v)对棉花生长及产量的影响。结果表明,丛技菌根菌可显著提高棉花叶片光合速率,改善水分状况,促进棉花生长发育,提高籽棉产量,尤其是霜前花产量。其中以接种G.v处理对棉花增产效应最大。     

Interactions between bacteria,streptomycetes and fungi from Picea sitchensis litter

Streptomycete spores germinated most successfully when placed amongst hyphae of fungi that they could subsequently antagonize. The hyphae of many streptomycetes from Picea litter were able to antagonize fungi from the same habitat, but they were less effective against a group of alien fungi. Streptomycete hyphae were shown to be able to grow at the expense of antagonized fungal hyphae which suggested that they were gaining nutrients from the interaction. The fungal-streptomycete interactions were similar to interfungal hyphal interference reactions. No instances of hyphal penetration were recorded. Many bacteria from the H layer were able to lyse dead Streptomycete hyphae and they were shown to be capable of using both dead and living Streptomycete hyphae as a sole C source. Bacteria from the L and F litter layers were less active in these respects.     

Interactions between earthworms and their soil environment

Laboratory experiments were used to study the effect of food quantity and quality on the biomass of earthworms, and the influence of earthworms on plant growth and infiltration of water into soil. Earthworms with the most food gained weight faster than those with little or no supplementary food. The latter also failed to become reproductively mature. Earthworms lost weight on a nitrogenpoor diet, but this was not rectified by supplementing such food with inorganic nitrogen added to the soil 2 weeks before the worms. Ryegrass grown in soil in which earthworms (Allolobophora trapezoides) had been kept grew more slowly than in soil which had no previous worm activity, perhaps indicating that earthworms had converted relatively-available organic N into less available forms.Microscolex dubius gave the fastest infiltration rates of water into soil when clover mulch was present. With Eisenia foetida there was little effect of worm density on infiltration rates; the highest density significantly increased infiltration but only when clover hay had been mixed in the soil. The surface casting behaviour of the two earthworm species varied with the placing of the food offered.     

Carbon and nitrogen nutrition of Trichoderma

In buffered media Trichoderma grew best with l-alanine, l-aspartic acid, l-glutamic acid and casamino acids as sources of N. Growth on NH⁺₄-N was consistently superior to growth on NO^?₃-N. Some isolates of T. koningii Oud. and T. hamatum (Bon.) Bain, were incapable of utilizing NO₃^?. The best carbon sources were dextrose, fructose, mannose, galactose, xylose, ribose, trehalose and cellobiose. The ability to use melezitose, raffinose, sucrose and inulin as sources of carbon were related to taxonomic units. It is proposed that the ability to use these carbon sources as well as tests for extracellular oxidase, NO^?₃ utilization and temperature maxima may be useful to delineate and identify species. All isolates tested readily decomposed pure cellulose but the time required to adapt to the cellulose medium varied considerably. The relative vigor of cellulose decomposition was not related to the loss in weight of pine needles or dogwood leaves induced by Trichoderma.     

基于红边参数的夏玉米长势监测及其营养诊断研究

分析了夏玉米各组分含量、红边参数以及两者间的相关性。结果表明,可利用FD-Max反演叶面积指数,利用Depth672反演茎秆全N含量,利用Lwidth反演叶片全N含量、叶片和茎秆的含水量以及可溶性糖含量。构建了以红边参数为自变量的各组分的反演模型,对反演模型预测性分析表明,利用上述红边参数预测农学组分是可行的。     

Interactions between drought stress and vesicular-arbuscular mycorrhiza on the growth of Faidherbia albida (syn. Acacia albida) and Acacia nilotica in sterile and non-sterile soils

Summary Faidherbia albida (syn. Acacia albida) (Del.) A. Chev. and Acacia nilotica (L.) Willd. were grown for 18 weeks in sterile and non-sterile soils inoculated with Glomus clarum (Nicolson and Schenck). During this period, drought stress was imposed for the last 10 (F. albida) or 12 weeks (A. nilotica) at 2-week intervals. A greater number of leaves abscissed in drought-stressed mycorrhizal plants of A. nilotica than drought-stressed non-mycorrhizal and unstressed plants. In F. albida, the number of abscissed leaves was few and similar for all treatments. At the end of the drought stress, inoculation with vesicular-arbuscular mycorrhizal (VAM) fungi in sterile soil increased the plant biomass of the two tree species compared to the control plants. In non-sterile soil, the mycorrhizal growth response of introduced G. clarum equalled the effect of indigenous VAM fungi. There were significant interactions between the mycorrhizal and drought stress treatments and between the mycorrhizal and soil treatments for plant biomass and P uptake in F. albida. The absence of these interactions except for that between the mycorrhizal and soil treatments in A. nilotica indicates that the increased plant biomass and nutrient uptake cannot be attributed directly to a mycorrhizal contribution to drought tolerance. F. albida tolerated the drought stress by producing long tap roots and similar weights of dry matter in shoots and roots. Whereas A. nilotica tolerated the drought stress by developing larger root systems able to explore a greater volume of soil, in addition to leaf abscission, for a favourable internal water status. The introduction of G. clarum increased nodulation by A. nilotica under unstressed conditions, but at the expense of a reduced P uptake in sterile soil.     

Effect of Azospirillum inoculants on arbuscular mycorrhiza establishment in wheat and maize plants

Plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria and arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi represent two main groups of beneficial microorganisms of the rhizosphere. The role of different strains of Azospirillum on AM fungi development was evaluated by measuring the percentage of AM colonisation of the root system in durum wheat and maize plants, grown under both greenhouse and field conditions. The effect of wild-type Azospirillum brasilense strain Sp245 and genetically modified (GM) derivatives overproducing indole-3-acetic acid was assessed at greenhouse level in (1) three different cultivars of durum wheat, in the presence of indigenous AM fungi and (2) maize plants artificially inoculated with Glomus mosseae and Glomus macrocarpum. In addition, the establishment of natural AM fungal symbiosis was evaluated using Azospirillum lipoferum CRT1 in maize plants at field level. Despite the stimulatory effect of the different Azospirillum inocula on root growth, no significant differences in AM colonisation were found, independently of the AM fungus involved, either in wheat or in maize plants. Similarly, GM A. brasilense, which strongly stimulates root development, did not affect AM formation. Although these results were obtained in conditions in which the mycorrhization rate was moderate (15–30%), overall considered they indicate that the use of wild-type or GM Azospirillum phytostimulators does not alter mycorrhization.     

Interactions of some nematicides with Azospirillum lipoferum and the growth of Zea maize

The possible interaction of four nematicides (Terbufos, Carbofuran, Fenamiphos, and Aldicarb) with Azospirillum lipoferum and growth of two Zea maize cultivars was studied in a greenhouse experiment. Application of nematicides, Fenamiphos in particular, resulted in higher plant length, dry matter production and N yield over the nematicide-untreated plants. Azospirillum spp. inoculation stimulated the growth of nematicide-treated Z. maize. Among the nematicides used, Carbofuran and Aldicarb inhibited the nitrogenase activity on plant roots more seriously than Fenamiphos and Terbufos. Generally, the inhibition percentages in acetylene reducing activity in soil of inoculated treatments were lower (14.4 - 61.8%) than those reported for the uninoculated ones (21.4 - 73.9%). Soil, irrespective of treatment, regained a part of its normal N₂-ase activity with time. Field concentrations of all nematicides showed different inhibitory effects on N₂-ase activity of Azospirillum spp. in culture medium, such effects increased with increased doses (10- and 100- fold) and incubation periods (10 days). The contribution of Azospirillum spp. to the N economy of soil treated with nematicides is discussed.     

丛枝菌根真菌(AMF)对玉米/蚕豆和玉米/稗草互作体系植物生长的反馈调节

【目的】丛枝菌根真菌(arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi,简称AMF)对农田生态系统中作物的生长起着重要作用。不同宿主植物和作物种植方式对土壤中菌根真菌具有一定的选择性,从而影响菌根真菌对后茬植物生长的反馈效应。间作体系是农业生产中增产增效的一种重要的种植模式,明确AMF在间作体系中对植物生长的反馈作用,对理解间作体系地上-地下相互作用具有重要的意义。【方法】本试验采用三种常见的AMF(Funneliformis mosseae、Rhizophagus intraradices和Claroideoglomus claroideum)混合接种剂,在单作(玉米,蚕豆,稗草)和间作(玉米/蚕豆和玉米/稗草)条件下,通过两个阶段(AMF驯化及反馈)的反馈试验,模拟研究了三种植物在单作和间作中的反馈强度及AMF的调节作用。【结果】在驯化阶段,玉米/稗草间作体系中,与单作相比,间作玉米地上部生物量减少了64.0%,间作稗草地上部生物量增加了47.8%。玉米/蚕豆间作体系中,与单作相比,两者作物地上部生物量增量分别达21.7%和38.3%。反馈阶段中,单作时,与灭菌处理相比接种AMF后玉米、稗草和蚕豆的地上部生物量分别增加602.3%、 80.6%和21.1%; 间作时,与灭菌处理相比接种AMF后玉米地上部生物量平均增加613.1%,稗草增加80.7%, 蚕豆增加21.4%。单作玉米存在负到零反馈作用,与灭菌处理相比,接种AMF后玉米负反馈作用减弱至零反馈作用。从单作到间作,玉米的反馈作用由负变为零到正反馈作用。【结论】玉米和稗草之间是竞争关系,玉米处于竞争弱势稗草处于竞争优势。玉米对AMF的响应最为强烈,其次是稗草,最后是蚕豆。接种AMF或与其它植物间作后均减弱玉米的负反馈作用,表明丛枝菌根真菌可通过减弱单作玉米的负反馈实现间作增产。     

Influence of Glomus etunicatum/Zea mays mycorrhiza on atrazine degradation, soil phosphatase and dehydrogenase activities, and soil microbial community structure

The effects of an arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungus (Glomus etunicatum) on atrazine dissipation, soil phosphatase and dehydrogenase activities and soil microbial community structure were investigated. A compartmented side-arm (‘cross-pot’) system was used for plant cultivation. Maize was cultivated in the main root compartment and atrazine-contaminated soil was added to the side-arms and between them 650 or 37 μm nylon mesh was inserted which allowed mycorrhizal roots or extraradical mycelium to access atrazine in soil in the side-arms. Mycorrhizal roots and extraradical mycelium increased the degradation of atrazine in soil and modified the soil enzyme activities and total soil phospholipid fatty acids (PLFAs). Atrazine declined more and there was greater stimulation of phosphatase and dehydrogenase activities and total PLFAs in soil in the extraradical mycelium compartment than in the mycorrhizal root compartment when the atrazine addition rate to soil was 5.0 mg kg⁻¹. Mycelium had a more important influence than mycorrhizal roots on atrazine degradation. However, when the atrazine addition rate was 50.0 mg kg⁻¹, atrazine declined more in the mycorrhizal root compartment than in the extraradical mycelium compartment, perhaps due to inhibition of bacterial activity and higher toxicity to AM mycelium by atrazine at higher concentration. Soil PLFA profiles indicated that the AM fungus exerted a pronounced effect on soil microbial community structure.     

Fraxinus-Glomus-Pisolithus symbiosis: Plant growth and soil aggregation effects

It has been established that arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi are involved in the conservation of soil structure. However, the effect of ectomycorrhizal (EM) fungi alone or in interaction with AM fungi in soil structure has been much less studied. This experiment evaluated EM and AM fungi effects on soil aggregation and plant growth. Ash plants (Fraxinus uhdei) were grown in pots, and were inoculated with Glomus intraradices and Pisolithus tinctorius separately but also in combination. Our results showed that F. uhdei established a symbiotic association with EM and AM fungi, and that these organisms, when interacting, showed synergistic and additive effects on plant growth compared to singly inoculated treatments. EM and AM fungi prompted changes in root morphology and increased water-stable aggregates. AM fungi affect mainly small-sized macroaggregates, while EM and EM-AM fungi interaction mainly affected aggregates bigger than 0.5 mm diameter. These results suggest that ectomyccorrhizal as well as arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi should be considered in restoration programs with Fraxinus plants.     

玉米硅的阶段营养与土壤有效硅关系研究

在壤质草甸土上设置田间试验。结果表明,玉米４叶期以前吸硅量较低,拔节期吸硅增加,抽雄初期为吸硅高峰期。硅主要分配在叶（４３％）和根（３９％）,籽实和茎分别占１１％和７％。ＮＰＫ配施硅肥能促进植株对硅的吸收。基施硅肥明显提高土壤有效硅浓度,比不施肥区提高２００ｍｇ／ｋｇ;追施硅肥,使抽穗初期土壤有效硅提高到７５７．８ｍｇ／ｋｇ。基施、追施硅肥比对照增产５．６％和７．１８％。     

Rhizodeposits of Trifolium pratense and Lolium perenne: their comparative effects on 2,4-D mineralization in two contrasting soils

Rhizosphere enhanced biodegradation of organic pollutants has been reported frequently and a stimulatory role for specific components of rhizodeposits postulated. As rhizodeposit composition is a function of plant species and soil type, we compared the effect of Lolium perenne and Trifolium pratense grown in two different soils (a sandy silt loam: pH 4, 2.8% OC, no previous 2,4-D exposure and a silt loam: pH 6.5, 4.3% OC, previous 2,4-D exposure) on the mineralization of the herbicide 2,4-D (2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid). We investigated the relationship of mineralization kinetics to dehydrogenase activity, most probable number of 2,4-D degraders (MPN_2,4-D) and 2,4-D degrader composition (using sequence analysis of the gene encoding α-ketoglutarate/2,4-D dioxygenase (tfdA)). There were significant (P<0.01) plant-soil interaction effects on MPN_2,4-D and 2,4-D mineralization kinetics (e.g. T. pratense rhizodeposits enhanced the maximum mineralization rate by 30% in the acid sandy silt loam soil, but not in the neutral silt loam soil). Differences in mineralization kinetics could not be ascribed to 2,4-D degrader composition as both soils had tfdA sequences which clustered with tfdAs representative of two distinct classes of 2,4-D degrader: canonical R. eutropha JMP134-like and oligotrophic α-proteobacterial-like. Other explanations for the differential rhizodeposit effect between soils and plants (e.g. nutrient competition effects) are discussed. Our findings stress that complexity of soil-plant-microbe interactions in the rhizosphere make the occurrence and extent of rhizosphere-enhanced xenobiotic degradation difficult to predict.