Cultivation of flax in spoil‐bank clay: Mycorrhizal inoculation vs. high organic amendments

A greenhouse experiment was focused on the application of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) in effective crop production during reclamation of coal‐mine spoil banks. The aim of the study was to find out whether mycorrhizal inoculation improves growth of flax (Linum usitatissimum L.) and whether it can compensate for high doses of expensive organic amendment. Flax was planted in original spoil‐bank gray Miocene clay amended with organic matter used for spoil‐bank reclamation (mixture of composted urban waste and lignocellulose papermill waste). This amendment was applied in four descending doses equivalent to the application of 500, 200, 100, and 0 t ha^–1. The plants received either a mixed inoculum of three AMF species (Glomus mosseae, G. claroideum, and G. intraradices) or were left uninoculated. Growth of flax was significantly increased by mycorrhizal inoculation in pure clay (by 60%) as well as in clay with all amendment doses (by 119% on average). Also, the addition of organic matter increased plant growth but, interestingly, the biomass production was comparable regardless the dose of amendment. Our results suggest that similar yields are attainable with only one fifth of the usual fertilization dose, which can significantly decrease costs related to the reclamation of spoil banks. If mycorrhizal inoculation is applied together with the optimized fertilization, growth of flax planted in spoil‐bank clay can be further improved.     

Effects of cropping systems under no‐till agriculture on arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi in Argentinean Pampas

Here, we compare arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) communities and fatty acids in soils under different no‐till (NT) agricultural managements over two seasons in two consecutive years. Two NT practices with different agricultural managements were compared: crop rotation (CR) and soya bean monoculture (MC). Soils of natural grasslands (NGs) were used as a reference. Treatments were tested along a regional gradient (four geographical locations) across a 400‐km transect of the Argentinean Pampas. We identified 46 morphospecies. Several morphospecies occurred abundantly at all soils; others appeared to be restricted to specific situations. At the regional scale, CR maintained the same richness levels of AMF spores, whereas MC showed less richness, when compared with the NG. Although AMF spore density was clearly affected by cropping practices in the four locations, we could observe some changes in AMF species richness, and similar diversity under agricultural and natural soils. Fatty acid concentrations (whole‐cell, phospholipid and neutral lipid fatty acids) revealed differences between soil managements and showed similar patterns of variation in all locations. Spore density positively correlated with all soil lipids fractions. The results suggest that AMF spore communities and fatty acids in soils are suitable indicators of soil management involving different levels of crop rotation. Spore richness measured at a regional scale proved to be sensitive to different NT agricultural managements. Moreover, certain morphospecies could be good bioindicators for NT practices based on cropping systems on the Argentinean Pampas.     

Synergistic effect of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi and Bacillus subtilis on the biomass and essential oil yield of rose-scented geranium (Pelargonium graveolens)

Four different arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi, Glomus aggregatum, Glomus fasciculatum, Glomus intraradices and Glomus mosseae, were used alone and in combinations with Bacillus subtilis to evaluate their capability to increase the productivity of geranium. Mycorrhizal treatment increased the growth and total biomass invariably over non-mycorrhizal control plants. In AM alone treatment, the best result was obtained for G. mosseae treatment, where 380.9 and 335.3 g fresh herb yield per pot was recorded in 2005–2006 and 2006–2007, respectively, an increase of 75.3 and 85.9% over controls. Plants inoculated with B. subtilis alone yielded 287.8 and 252.3 g fresh herb, an increase of 32.4 and 39.9% over uninoculated controls. However, B. subtilis in combination with G. mosseae produced the highest herb yield, i.e. 410.8 and 347.8 g herbs pot^?1, an increase of 89.4 and 92.9% over untreated controls. The field experimental data validated the results of the pot experiment. Treatment with G. mosseae alone increased herb yield by 49.4%, whereas in combination with B. subtilis, it increased herb yield by 59.5%. Treatment with AM fungi and B. subtilis did not affect the essential oil content of the plant, but total oil yield was significantly increased because of the increase in biomass production.     

Co-inoculations of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi and rhizobia under salinity in alfalfa

Alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) is cultivated in arid and semi-arid regions where salinity is one of the main limiting factors for its production. Thus, this experiment was conducted to evaluate the efficacy of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungus (AMF), Glomus mosseae, alfalfa rhizobia Sinorhizobium meliloti (R) seed inoculation in the development of salinity tolerance of different alfalfa cultivars (Rehnani, Pioneer and Bami) under a variety of salinity levels. The results revealed that under non-stress condition, root mycorrhizal infection, nodulation (the number and weight of nodules per plant), potassium (K), calcium (Ca), phosphorus (P), zinc (Zn), copper (Cu) and magnesium (Mg) contents of the root and shoot, the value of the K/Na ratio, protein [calculated from the nitrogen (N) content] and proline contents of the shoot and the alfalfa yield were found to be the highest while Na contents of the root and shoot were seen to be the lowest when seeds were double inoculated followed by mycorrhizae, rhizobium and control treatments, respectively. Similarly, under salinity condition, the greatest amounts of mycorrhizal infection, nodulation, root and shoot P contents, the value of K/Na ratio, the shoot proline content and the root Ca content were enhanced with the least amount of leaf Na content related to the cases of seeds which were double inoculated, followed by mycorrhizae, rhizobium and control treatments respectively. The results suggested that inoculation of alfalfa seed with AMF or R, especially double inoculation, causes a considerable increase in alfalfa yield under both saline and non-saline conditions by increasing colonization, nodulation and nutrient uptake.     

Effect of salinity and arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi on growth and some physiological parameters of Citrus jambheri

Arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi alleviate the unfavorable effects of salinity stress on plant growth. A pot study was conducted to determine the effects of AM fungi and salt on growth and some physiological parameters of Citrus jambheri rootstock. Four levels of salinity (2, 4, 6, and 8 dS m^?1 as NaCl) and three mycorrhizal treatments (Glomus etunicatum, Glomus intraradices and non-mycorrhizal (NM) control) were used. As salinity increased, all measured characteristics of plants after 4.5-month growth except Na uptake, proline content, and electrolyte leakage decreased. Shoot dry weight and K uptake were significantly higher in G. intraradices-colonized seedlings than NM controls at all salinity levels. Root dry weight and shoot P uptake were significantly higher in G. etunicatum-colonized seedlings than NM controls at all salinity levels. G. intraradices-colonized seedlings had significantly higher proline content than NM controls and G. etunicatum-colonized seedlings at salinity levels of 4, 6 and 8 dS m^?1. The electrolyte leakage percentage was significantly lower in G. intraradices-colonized seedlings than NM controls at all salinity levels. The data demonstrated that mycorrhizal citrus seedlings exhibited greater tolerance to salt stress than NM seedlings and the enhanced proline content seems to be one of the mechanisms involved.     

砷污染土壤中接种丛枝菌根真菌和蚯蚓对土壤线虫群落和植物砷吸收的影响

The influences of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (MF, Acaulospora spp. and Glomus spp.), rice straw and earthworms (RE, Eisenia foetida) on nematode communities and arsenic (As) uptake by maize (Zea mays L.) in As-contaminated soils were examined in a field experiment conducted in Wujiang, Jiangsu Province, China. The experiment was designed as a 2 × 2 factorial with the factors of MF (inoculated or uninoculated) and RE (added or not added). The results demonstrated that MF inoculation led to significantly higher root colonization of MF and root dry weight. Plants inoculated with both MF and RE had the highest As concentrations in root. The number of total nematodes increased with MF inoculation when RE was absent, and decreased with RE addition when MF was inoculated. The improved abundance of nematodes with the MF treatment implied that the tested MF acted as food sources for fungivores. The abundances of omnivores-predators and plant parasites were reduced by earthworm activity. Twenty-seven genera of nematodes were identified, with Filenchus dominant in all treatments. Trophic diversity (TD), Shannon-Weaver diversity (H′), Simpson dominance index (λ), and species richness (SR) indicated higher species diversity, more proportionate species composition, evenly distributed species, and more food sources in the MF, RE, and their interaction treatments. Maturity index (MI) showed a moderately disturbed environment due to As pollution. Besides enhancing plant uptake of contaminants, MF and RE amendments could also improve soil health by restoring the structure of soil communities, as reflected by more stable nematode community structure.     

AM真菌接种对甘薯产量和品质的影响

通过田间试验方法研究了接种AM真菌对甘薯产量和品质的影响。结果表明,种植6周时接种能够提高甘薯的菌根侵染率、生长和吸P量,收获时可提高甘薯的产量和品质。从接种效果看,本地分离的菌株接种效果好于异地分离菌株,混合菌株好于单一菌株。     

Suppression of other soil microorganisms by mycelium of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi in root-free soil

The influence of mycelium of two arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi, Glomus intraradices and Glomus mosseae, on other soil microorganisms, was examined in root-free soil with and without organic substrate amendment in terms of cellulose. The AM fungi were grown in symbiosis with cucumber in a compartmented growth system, which allowed AM fungal external mycelium to grow into root-free compartments. The fungicide Benomyl was applied to the root-free compartments to create an alternative non-mycorrhizal control treatment. Whole cell biomarker fatty acids were employed to quantify different groups of soil microorganisms including the two AM fungi. Abundance of most microbial groups were reduced by external mycelium of both AM fungi, though differential effects on the microbial community composition were observed between the two AM fungi as revealed from principal component analysis. Inhibition of other soil microorganisms was more pronounced in root-free soil with mycelium of G. mosseae than with mycelium of G. intraradices. In general, cellulose increased the amount of biomarker fatty acids of most groups of soil microorganisms, but cellulose did not affect the influence of AM fungi on other soil microorganisms. Benomyl suppressed growth of the external mycelium of the two AM fungi and had limited non-target effects on other microbial groups. In conclusion, our results show differential effects of external mycelium of AM fungi on other soil microbial communities, though both AM fungi included in the study overall inhibited most microbial groups as examined using whole cell biomarker fatty acids.     

丛枝菌根真菌和根瘤菌对连作花生养分吸收及土壤微生物特性的影响

探讨接种丛枝菌根（AM）真菌和根瘤菌对连作花生作用效果及可能机制,有益于缓解花生连作障碍,促进花生养分高效和持续高产。在花生典型种植区,选择有代表性的酸性砂姜黑土,设置不接种（CK）、接种AM真菌（AM）、接种根瘤菌（Rb）、双接种（AM+Rb）4个处理,采用微区试验,研究AM真菌与根瘤菌对花生生长、根系形态、养分吸收及土壤微生物特性的影响。结果表明：接种处理增加了花生第一侧枝长和分枝数,显著提高了花生根和地上部生物量、荚果重和根瘤数,其中AM+Rb处理提高效果最显著。同时AM+Rb处理的花生根系总根长、总表面积、总体积分别显著提高30.1%、20.2%和59.7%,土壤微生物总量、细菌/真菌、放线菌/真菌明显提高,不同部位氮、磷、钾、钙、镁积累量显著增加,效果优于单接种。比较AM真菌和根瘤菌2种接种方式,Rb处理的花生不同部位氮积累量较高,而AM处理的根系形态状况较好,且花生不同部位磷、钾、钙、镁吸收量较高。可见,在酸性砂姜黑土区,接种AM真菌和根瘤菌尤其是双接种有益于改善根系形态状况和根际微生物环境,增强花生养分吸收能力,从而促进花生的生长及产量的提高。     

钼污染对丛枝菌根和球囊霉素的影响

丛枝菌根作为地球上最广泛的共生体,在各种逆境环境中发挥着重要作用.基于不同钼污染程度的钼矿区,分析了钼污染对丛枝菌根真菌侵染、繁殖及其分泌球囊霉素能力的影响.结果 表明,在4个不同钼污染级别的土壤中,丛枝菌根真菌与植物共生关系的形成未受到钼污染的影响,平均菌根侵染频度为50.64％.洛阳钼矿区土壤的平均孢子密度为19....     

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.     

Co-selection of compatible rhizobia and vesicular-arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi for cowpea in sterilized and non-sterilized soils

Summary We selected two isolates of Rhizobium for cowpea (Vigna unguiculata) with sterilized soil tests and two different isolates by non-sterilized soil testing. The four rhizobia were then paired individually with either Glomus pallidum, Glomus aggregatum, or Sclerocystis microcarpa in separate, sterilized, or non-sterilized soil experiments. The purpose of the experiments was to determine the effect of soil sterilization on the selection of effective cowpea rhizobia, and to see whether these rhizobia differed in their effects on cowpea growth when paired with various vesicular-arbuscular mycorrhizal (VAM) fungi. Our experiments showed that the rhizobia selected in sterilized soil tests produced few growth responses in the cowpea compared to the other introduced rhizobia, irrespective of pairing with VAM fungi in sterilized or non-sterilized soil. In contrast, the two rhizobia initially selected by non-sterilized soil testing significantly improved cowpea growth in non-sterilized soil, especially when paired with G. pallidum. Our results suggest that it is important to select for effective rhizobia in non-sterilized soil, and that pairing these rhizobia with specific, coselected VAM fungi can significantly improve the legume growth response.     

Influence of inoculation with arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi on stable isotopes of nitrogen in Phaseolus vulgaris

The interactions between Phaseolus vulgaris, Rhizobium spp. strains nodulating P. vulgaris, and arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi were assessed under greenhouse conditions in a nonsterilized Typic Haplustalf soil from Cauca, Colombia. Our results indicate a specific involvement of AM fungal species in nitrogen acquisition by the legume plants from symbiotic nitrogen fixation and from soil. A significant specific influence of inoculation with Glomus spp. on the ¹⁵N/¹⁴N ratio in plant shoots was dependent on the inoculated rhizobial strain, but AM fungal inoculation had no significant effect on shoot dry weight or nodule occupancy in the two different rhizobial strain treatments. The results imply that in low P soils the effects of an improved mycorrhizal symbiosis may include improved symbiotic N₂ fixation efficiency and/or improved soil N uptake. Received: 11 May 1996     

培养基质对丛枝菌根(AM)真菌生长发育的影响

温室条件下,以盆栽培养方法研究不同培养基质对丛枝菌根(Arbuscular Mycorrhizae,AM)真菌Glomus mosseae生长发育的影响。结果表明：不同理化性质的基质对菌根共生体生长发育的影响不同,综合考虑菌根长度、根外菌丝量及孢子数3项指标,以沙土混合物(体积比3∶1)对G. mosseae菌剂的生长发育最为有利。宿主植物菌根长度及根中的可溶性糖浓度与根外孢子数有正相关关系,而宿主植物中磷浓度与菌根真菌的生长发育也有类似的关系。说明培养基质的养分状况、水分状况、通气状况等诸多因素都会影响菌根共生体的建立和发展。宿主植物的菌根长度、根中可溶性糖浓度以及宿主植物磷浓度对菌根真菌的生长发育有显著影响。因此,工厂化AM菌剂生产中,应以沙土混合物(体积比3∶1)为生产G. mosseae菌剂的培养基质。     

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.     

Influence of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi and salinity on growth,biomass, and mineral nutrition of<Emphasis Type="Italic"> Acacia auriculiformis</Emphasis>

The effect of salinity on the efficacy of two arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi, Glomus fasciculatum and G. macrocarpum, alone and in combination was investigated on growth, development and nutrition of Acacia auriculiformis. Plants were grown under different salinity levels imposed by 0.3, 0.5 and 1.0 S m^-1 solutions of 1 M NaCl. Both mycorrhizal fungi protected the host plant against the detrimental effect of salinity. The extent of AM response on growth as well as root colonization varied with fungal species, and with the level of salinity. Maximum root colonization and spore production was observed with combined inoculation, which resulted in greater plant growth at all salinity levels. AM fungal inoculated plants showed significantly higher root and shoot weights. Greater nutrient acquisition, changes in root morphology, and electrical conductivity of soil in response to AM colonization was observed, and may be possible mechanisms to protect plants from salt stress.     

Responses of legumes to rhizobia and arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi: A meta-analysis of potential photosynthate limitation of symbioses

Legumes are prized for their seed protein and lipid mass fractions. Since legumes spend up to 4-16% of photosynthesis on each of the rhizobial and arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungal symbioses, it might be expected that positive responses in yield due to rhizobial and AM symbioses are accompanied by decreases in seed protein and lipid mass fractions due to a photosynthate (C) limitation. We performed a meta-analysis of 348 data points from published studies with 12 legume species to test whether yield, harvest index, and seed protein and lipid mass fractions are affected by symbioses. There was a significant increase in yield due to rhizobial inoculation (16% in the field; 59% in pot experiments). There were no responses of yield to AM fungi and rhizobial + AM fungi inoculations in the field (presumably because an AM fungi-free control cannot be ensured), but significant responses in pots (45% with AM fungi; 44% with rhizobial + AM fungi). Rhizobial inoculation improved seed protein mass fraction by 7% in the field; AM fungi increased this parameter by 14% in pots. There were no discernable effects of symbioses on seed lipid mass fraction. Rhizobial symbioses in the field increased harvest index (+5%), but AM fungi did not affect harvest index. In conclusion, increases in yield due to symbioses also resulted in increases in seed protein and constant lipid mass fractions, indicating that legumes are not C-limited under symbiotic conditions.     

Improved growth and Cu tolerance of Cu excess-stressed white clover after inoculation with arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi

The effects of arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungus, Glomus intraradices, on growth and copper (Cu) tolerance of white clover (Trifolium repens) were investigated in soils with different Cu amounts. The AM inoculation increased plant biomass and the total or bound Cu concentrations in shoots and roots but decreased the total Cu in soils and the exchangeable Cu in shoots, roots and soils at all Cu levels. Mycorrhizal plants had higher levels of root phosphorus and shoot zinc (Zn) at lower Cu levels and more nitrogen and Zn in roots and potassium, calcium and magnesium in shoots and roots at all Cu addition levels. Additionally, AM inoculation enhanced urease, acid phosphatase and catalase activities in rhizosphere soils and mycorrhizal roots showed higher levels of peroxidase, catalase, proline and soluble sugar at all Cu addition levels. These results indicate that mycorrhizal white clover is potentially suitable for Cu phytoremediation based on greenhouse studies.     

接种丛枝菌根真菌对脱毒马铃薯微型薯生长及产量的影响

在大田条件下采用混合菌种(Glomus mosseas+Glomus intraradices)作为接种剂,研究了接种丛枝菌根真菌对脱毒马铃薯微型薯菌根侵染、磷吸收和产量的影响。结果表明,接种菌根真菌,马铃薯菌根侵染率增加73.3%,植株吸磷量增加15.4%,块茎产量增加8.0%。上述结果证明,在大田条件下,接种菌根真菌能侵染马铃薯根部,促进植株对磷的吸收,从而增加产量。     

Inoculation response in kidney beans (Phaseolus vulgaris,L.) to vesicular-arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi and rhizobia in non-sterilized soil

The effect of dual inoculation on three local cultivars (Miss Kelly, Portland Red, Round Red) of red kidney beans (Phaseolus vulgaris, L.) with four strains of Rhizobium leguminosarum bv. phaseoli and three species of vesicular-arbuscular mycorrhizal (VAM) fungi was examined in a clay loam soil. Rhizobial strains B 17 and B 36, each paired with Glomus pallidum or G. aggregatum, were the most effective pairings for cv. Miss Kelly. Inoculation of Miss Kelly with any of these pairings significantly (P=0.05) increased growth, number of nodules, nodule dry weight, mycorrhizal colonization, and shoot N and P content than other pairings. The growth response by cv. Portland Red was significantly improved by pairings of B 36 or B 17 with any of the three VAM fungi. For both cultivars (Miss Kelly and Portland Red), CIAT 652 or T 2 paired with VAM fungi did not give a positive growth response. In contrast, for cv Round Red the T 2 rhizobial strain in combination with any of the three VAM fungi showed a significant (P=0.05) growth improvement in all parameters. Our results suggest that while dual inoculation of VAM fungi and rhizobia significantly improves the growth response by red kidney beans, the best pairings of VAM fungus and rhizobia for each cultivar need to be carefully selected.