Screening of AM fungi and Azotobacter chroococcum under natural,solarization, chemical sterilization and moisture conservation practices for commercial mango nursery production in north-west Himalayas

The present study investigates the performance of mango seedlings screened with indigenous arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi and Azotobacter chroococcum strains under solarized, chemical sterilized and natural soil conditions. Two isolates each of AM fungi namely, Glomus fasciculatum (Thaxter sensu Gerdemann) and Glomus mosseae (Nicol. & Gerd.), and two strains of A. chroococcum viz., A. chroococcum strain-I (AZ1) and A. chroococcum strain-II (AZ2) were inoculated at nursery stage under four different moisture conservation practices viz., black polyethylene mulch and organic mulches (grass mulch, cover crops, green manure) and clean cultivation. The observations on microbial population, root colonization, growth parameters and leaf nutrient content of the seedlings were recorded. Mango seedling's inoculated with G. fasciculatum and AZ1 had increased seedling's height, diameter, leaf area and total root length, microbial consortium of the rhizosphere soil and leaf N, P, K and Zn content in plots where solarization and black polyethylene mulching was used. The study revealed that the inoculation of mango stones and the saplings with G. fasciculatum and AZ1 under solarized black polyethylene mulched practice may be considered the best practice for raising mango nursery and maintaining soil health under rain-fed conditions of mid-hills of north-west Himalayas.     

Screening and selecting novel AM fungi and Azotobacter strain for inoculating apple under soil solarization and chemical disinfestation with mulch practices for sustainable nursery management

The objective of this study is to investigate the response of screening, and selection of novel indigenous AM fungal species and Azotobacter chroococcum strains for inoculating apple under different soil disinfestations and moisture conservation mulch practices for sustainable nursery management. Two local AM fungal species namely, Glomus fasciculatum (Thaxter sensu Gerdemann) and Glomus mosseae (Nicol. & Gerd.), and two strains of A. chroococcum viz., A. chroococcum strain-I (AZ₁) and A. chroococcum strain-II (AZ₂) were inoculated at nursery stage under soil solarization, chemical disinfestation and natural soil conditions at four different mulch materials namely, black plastic mulch (BPM), and organic mulches, i.e. grass mulch (GM); cover crops (CC); green manuring + clean cultivation (Gm + Cc). The comparative performance of the seedlings on the impact of local AM species and A. chroococcum strains on growth characteristics, microbial population, root colonization and leaf nutrient status was evaluated. The inoculation of seedlings to G. fasciculatum and AZ₁ increased all growth characteristics (plant height, stem diameter, leaf area and total root length), microbial consortium of the rhizosphere soil and leaf N, P, K and Zn content in all those plots where soil solarization and black plastic mulching was used followed by chemical disinfestations and natural soil conditions at all other mulch types used. These findings suggested that the soil inoculation of G. fasciculatum and AZ₁ strain to seeds and/or the saplings under soil solarization with black plastic mulch attained a desirable plant height and become ready for grafting which however saved a period of 1 year for nursery management compared to traditional nursery raising practice, and thus, it may be a viable and feasible approach to maintain soil productivity under nutrient limited soils for sustainable apple nursery production under temperate rain-fed conditions.     

丛枝菌根真菌对香蕉试管苗植株生长和矿质营养吸收的影响

以Williams香蕉(MusaAAA)试管苗为材料,在温室盆栽条件下研究丛枝菌根真菌(AM真菌)对香蕉植株矿质营养和营养生长的影响。试验设3个处理,不接种对照和2个菌根接种处理:接种单一菌种Glomusversiform、接种混合菌种G.versiform、G.epigaeam、G.cadedonium。结果表明,香蕉植株的菌根侵染率为22.8%～32.9%;接种AM真菌促进了香蕉植株的营养生长,显著地增加地上部和根系的干重,其菌根依赖性达到30.8%～37.8%,植株的株高、叶片数和叶片长度略有提高;接种单一菌种增加了须根的数量,但2个接种处理均降低须根的长度,使得总根长减少;单一接种剂和混合接种剂分别显著提高植株的P和K含量,2个接种处理都显著地促进了植株对N、P、K的吸收,P增幅最大,为70%～120%,K的增幅次之,为80%左右,N的增幅最小,为40%～60%。结果还表明,混合接种剂的生长促进效果略好于单一接种剂。     

Selection of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi for citrus growth promotion and Phytophthora suppression

In order to reduce unnecessary amount of P-fertilizer and severity of Phytophthora root rot in citrus orchards, the experiment was set up. Thirteen indigenous arbuscular mycorrhiza (AM) fungi species were isolated from rhizosphere soil of citrus orchards in Thailand and were then propagated into three host plants [sorghum (Sorghum bicolor), maize (Zea mays), and leek (Allium cepa)] by trap culture. We also tested whether indigenous AMF species (13 different species) could colonize into three cultivars of citrus scions and rootstocks (Shogun: Citrus reticulata Blanco cv. Shogun; Tangerine: C. reticulata; and C-35 citrange: Citrus sinensis × Poncirus trifoliata). With root colonization rates, the results indicated that Acaulospora tuberculata and Glomus etunicatum provided the best colonization in all citrus cultivars. We selected, therefore, those AMF species to verify their influences on citrus growth and Phytophthora root rot resistance. Three cultivars of citrus scions and rootstocks, Shogun, Tangerine and C-35 citrange, were inoculated with two effective indigenous AMF species, G. etunicatum or A. tuberculata in order to determine the influences on citrus growth. The plants were investigated to determine the mycorrhizal efficiency index (MEI), AM colonization, P content, and other parameters. Co-inoculation of AMF species (G. etunicatum or A. tuberculata) with Phytophthora nicotianae was also carried out in Shogun scion/C-35 citrange rootstocks. The results of citrus growth revealed that Shogun and Tangerine inoculated with G. etunicatum produced the highest MEI. Tangerine and C-35 citrange amended with fertilizers and G. etunicatum showed the highest P content in leaves. This indicated that G. etunicatum has an influence on citrus growth and P uptake, suggesting it to be the highly effective strain. Shogun scion/C-35 citrange rootstock combinations that were inoculated by both P. nicotianae and different AM fungi (G. etunicatum or A. tuberculata) showed root injury at low level of root rot symptom. However, the part of Shogun scions grafted on rootstocks showed severe symptom of shoot die back in treatment inoculated with P. nicotianae alone, while treatment inoculated with different AM species (G. etunicatum or A. tuberculata) and P. nicotianae rendered lower shoot die back symptoms than that of Phytophthora treatment. The low level of shoot die back symptom was shown at first, then healthy young shoot was restored. Our results indicated the facts that different host plants and different AMF species produced different outcomes of growth and pathogen resistance. The application of both AM isolates, therefore, has an enormous potential to be produced the inoculum for citrus orchards.     

Effects of AMF inoculation on growth of Panax ginseng C.A. Meyer seedlings and on soil structures in mycorrhizosphere

We aimed to investigate the effects of inoculating Panax ginseng C.A. Meyer seedlings with arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) by examining the root colonization, plant nutrition uptake, growth characteristics, and soil aggregation of P. ginseng seedlings inoculated at the time of transplantation. At 16 weeks, the AMF spore density per 30 g of fresh mycorrhizosphere in seedlings inoculated with AMF (AMF+ seedlings) was 256.8 and that in seedlings not inoculated with AMF (AMF− seedlings) was 186.3, respectively. The colonization rate of AMF in the lateral roots of AMF+ seedlings was approximately 19% higher than that in the lateral roots of AMF− seedlings. The patterns of AMF colonization in ginseng roots were similar to those of the Paris-type mycorrhizal association. Plant growth characteristics, such as plant height, root length, leaf area, number of lateral roots, fresh weight of shoots and roots, and chlorophyll content, were significantly enhanced in AMF+ seedlings compared to AMF− seedlings. The macronutrient content (P, K, and Ca) and micronutrient content (Cu, Fe, and Zn) of both shoots and roots were also significantly higher in AMF+ seedlings compared to AMF− seedlings. Furthermore, glomalin content and soil aggregation were significantly enhanced in AMF inoculated areas. Our results indicate that AMF inoculation may enhance the growth of ginseng seedlings by improving the uptake of mineral nutrients and the soil structure in mycorrhizosphere.     

丛枝菌根真菌对重茬草莓产量和品质的影响

于日光温室条件下,研究了丛枝菌根真菌Glomusmosseae(Nicol.&Gerd.)Gerd.&Trappe,GlomusintraradicesSchenck&Smith和Glomusversiforme(Karsten)Berch对重茬土壤中草莓生长、结实和品质的影响。结果表明,供试真菌在同一时期的侵染率不同,同一菌种在不同时期侵染率有较大区别;无论土壤消毒与否,它们均可促进草莓的生长发育,提早开花4～12d,显著提高草莓单果重、单株果数和单株产量,单株产量提高27.6%～39.5%,提早4～6d成熟,而且有利于草莓前期产量的形成。接种处理还提高了草莓果实中维生素C和糖的含量,降低了可滴定酸的含量,改善了草莓果实品质。其中以Glomusversiforme接种效应最大。     

丛枝菌根真菌对水分胁迫下枇杷实生苗生长和养分吸收的影响

 以‘早钟6号’枇杷（Eriobotrya japonica Lindl.‘Zaozhong 6’）实生苗为试材,研究了3种水分梯度（正常供水、轻度水分胁迫和重度水分胁迫）下,分别接种3种丛枝菌根（arbuscular mycorrhiza,AM）真菌（光壁无梗囊霉Acaulospora laevis、摩西球囊霉Glomus mosseae和苏格兰球囊霉Glomus caledonium）对实生苗生长和养分吸收的影响。结果表明,接种AM真菌的植株具有更高的地上部和地下部干质量;3种AM真菌均可增加枇杷苗氮、钾、磷、钙、镁、铜的吸收。说明接种AM真菌增强了枇杷苗的养分吸收能力,提高了其抗旱性,促进了枇杷苗生长。在3种AM真菌中苏格兰球囊霉是枇杷苗的优势菌种。     

Piriformospora indica promotes adventitious root formation in cuttings

Adventitious root formation in excised plant shoots is a crucial process in the vegetative propagation of many plant species, and insufficient rooting causes substantial losses in the propagation industry. Based on the various physiological effects on whole plants described for the basidiomycete Piriformospora indica, it was hypothesized that inoculation of the substrate with this endophyte should promote the generation and growth of adventitious roots in cuttings. Inoculation experiments were conducted to study the effects of P. indica on adventitious rooting in three plant species. Inoculation with P. indica dramatically enhanced the number and length of the adventitious roots in pelargonium and poinsettia. Root colonization parameters suggest that the interaction between the endophyte and cuttings had already occurred before physical contact. In contrast, petunia showed no rooting response to P. indica inoculation. Very fast root formation in this plant indicates that a minimum time period for the fungus–plant interaction is required for establishment of a promoting effect. P. indica-based biotechnology is proposed as a new tool for improving plant propagation systems of plant species or cultivars with low to moderate capacity of adventitious root formation.     

丛枝菌根真菌与葡萄南方根结线虫的相互作用及其对寄主的影响

 在温室盆栽条件下对‘巨峰’葡萄扦插苗接种丛枝菌根(AM) 真菌(Glomus versiforme Berch、Gigaspora margarita Becker & Hall 及Glomus mosseae Nicolson & Gedermann) 和南方根结线虫(Meloidogyne incognita) 。结果表明, 供试AM真菌能不同程度地抑制南方根结线虫病害的发生发展, 降低根围土壤中二龄幼虫数量、卵块直径、平均每个卵块的卵量及平均每克葡萄根系上的卵量, 先接种AM真菌后接种南方根结线虫的处理比同时接种二者抑制线虫病害的效果更好。接种AM真菌可提高葡萄植株光合速率, 增加植株高度、茎粗、叶面积、地上部干样质量和地下部干样质量, 这在一定程度上补偿了由于线虫所造成的损害。此外, 接种南方根结线虫降低了G. mosseae 的根内泡囊和入侵点数量、G. versiforme 及Gi . margarita的侵染率;但增加了G. versiforme 及Gi . margarita 的根内泡囊数及入侵点数。因此, 对每一种AM真菌—植物—线虫组合关系不可能作出统一的概括。     

两个柱花草品种根系构型差异及其对间作柑橘砧木实生苗磷营养的竞争

 根系构型与植物的养分吸收密切相关,可能影响植物不同个体间的养分竞争。比较了‘格 拉姆’和‘184 号’柱花草（Stylosanthes Sw.）的根系构型差异,并探讨了两者在间作条件下对柑橘砧木 红藜檬（Citrus limonia）实生苗的生长和养分吸收的影响。结果表明,‘格拉姆’和‘184 号’在单作条 件下生物量、总根长、主根长和根尖数相似,但是‘184 号’的基根角度、根系表面积、平均根直径均小 于‘格拉姆’;在与柑橘实生苗间作条件下,‘184 号’有41.4%的根系进入柑橘根区,而‘格拉姆’仅有 0.8%的根系进入柑橘根区,因此与‘184 号’间作的柑橘砧木实生苗的生物量和对磷养分的吸收均显著低 于与‘格拉姆’间作的柑橘砧木实生苗。本研究表明,与根系垂直生长型的‘格拉姆’相比,根系水平 生长型的柱花草‘184 号’不宜用于果园生草栽培,根系构型应该成为草种筛选的重要指标。     

Isolation of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi and Azotobacter chroococcum from local litchi orchards and evaluation of their activity in the air-layers system

Soil samples were collected from rhizosphere of litchi-growing areas of North-Western Himalayan Region (NWHR) of India, for finding qualitative and quantitative differences in arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi and Azotobacter chroococcum. These samples were taken from plants being grown in different cultivation types namely, weed control with weedicides or tillage; orchard floor either clear or with cover crops; intercropping with cereals and legumes. Qualitative and quantitative differences were noticed with different cultivation types and a marked reduction in the AM fungi was observed in orchards where chemicals were used for weed control and intensive farming system was used on the orchard floor. AM fungi were generally abundant in the soils with range pH 5.5–6.6. Among different AM fungi retrieved from the soils, Glomus spp. was most dominant. Fifteen AM fungal species were isolated, identified and characterized and along with their ability to colonize the roots. In the soil samples, a marked variation in viable bacterial count of A. chroococcum was also noticed due to varied physico-chemical characteristics of the orchard soils. The changes in AM fungal species composition can be attributed to changes in soil chemical properties resulting from cultural practices such as ploughing, application of chemical fertilizers and weedicides. An experiment was also conducted to study the comparative efficacy of four dominant and frequently occurring indigenous AM species namely, Glomus fasciculatum (Thaxter sensu Gerdemann), G. magnicaulis (Hall), G. mosseae (Nicol. & Gerd.), Gigaspora heterogamma (Nicol. & Gerd.) and two A. chroococcum strains viz., AZ₁ and AZ₂ singly and in dual combination to evaluate their effect in air-layers system. Dual inoculation of G. fasciculatum and AZ₁ increased total root length of air-layered shoots by 81.39% over uninoculated control. These studies indicated that indigenously isolated AM fungal species and A. chroococcum strains can be used for air-layering for better adaptation under specific agro-climatic and ecological zone conditions.     

缺氮和缺铁对平邑甜茶幼苗根系构型的影响

 研究水培条件下缺氮、缺铁对平邑甜茶幼苗根系总长度、表面积、体积、根尖数、分枝角度、分形维数等根系构型参数的影响。结果表明：缺氮或缺铁处理后,幼苗细根比例增大,根系直径变小;一级侧根与主根的夹角整体上增大,大夹角植株数量普遍增多,根系趋向于水平分布;根系分形维数降低。其中缺氮使幼苗根系总长度、根系总表面积、根系总体积以及二级侧根数显著增加,但根系活力显著下降;缺铁使根尖数和主根的长度显著增加,根系活力和根系总表面积均下降;缺铁比缺氮时根系分形维数下降更多。     

Differences of hyphal and soil phosphatase activities in drought-stressed mycorrhizal trifoliate orange (Poncirus trifoliata) seedlings

Differences of hyphal and soil phosphatase activities between mycorrhizal and non-mycorrhizal plants were less studied under drought-stressed (DS) conditions. In a pot experiment, fungal alkaline phosphatase (FALP), and succinate dehydrogenase (FSDH), soil phosphatase activity, both soil and plant P contents were compared in 6.5-month-old trifoliate orange (Poncirus trifoliata) seedlings under 80 days of DS with or without inoculations by arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF, Glomus diaphanum, Glomus mosseae or Glomus versiforme). Plant growth and biomass production under DS were significantly higher in mycorrhizal than in non-mycorrhizal seedlings. Both the FALP and the FSDH activities under DS were significantly reduced in these three Glomus inoculated seedlings. In general, similar soil neutral and alkaline phosphatase activities, but significantly higher soil acid and total phosphatase activities, were exhibited in mycorrhizal than in non-mycorrhizal seedlings under both the well-watered (WW) and the DS. Both leaf and root P contents were significantly higher in the AM colonized seedlings, but soil available P contents were lower in the growth media with AM seedlings. Our results showed that higher hyphal enzymes’ activities, soil acid and total phosphatase activities, and plant P contents in AM colonized seedlings, particularly in Glomus mosseae-colonized seedlings and/or under DS, would result in a better growth of the host plants, which might be the basis for enhancing drought tolerance in plants.     

丛枝菌根真菌对不同甜瓜品种产量及营养品质的影响

研究了大棚栽培条件下不同品种甜瓜播种时接种丛枝菌根真菌（Arbuscular mycorrihiza fungus,AM）GM（Glomus mossea-2）和GV（Glomus versiforme）对甜瓜产量和营养品质的影响。结果表明：接菌处理的幼苗在光合速率、根系活力等生理指标上均优于对照;不同品种的单瓜质量均以接种GM的处理为最高;果实硝酸盐和亚硝酸盐含量都有显著性下降,维生素C含量GM处理显著高于对照,但GV处理有所下降。对根系侵染率分析表明,两个供试菌剂中GM为优势菌种,‘丰雷’和‘中蜜5号’为8个供试甜瓜品种中GM的最佳宿主。     

Effect of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi inoculation on aster yellows phytoplasma-infected tobacco plants

The objective of the research was to asses if arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AM) can modify the effect of two aster yellows phytoplasma strains infection in tobacco plants. Tobacco plants experimentally inoculated with aster yellows phytoplasma strains did not develop visible disease symptoms. However, PCR examination indicated that the inoculated plants were phytoplasma infected. Mycorrhiza inoculation had a positive effect on the shoot height of healthy plants, but did not influence shoot growth and weight of phytoplasma-infected plants. The roots of all mycorrhiza-inoculated plants were slightly reduced but significant differences were found in the total root length of plants infected with the phytoplasma strain AY1. AM inoculation had a positive effect on photosynthetic activity of tobacco plants infected with the phytoplasma strain AYSim, but net photosynthesis of tobacco infected with the phytoplasma strain AY1 was decreased. Transpiration rate and calcium content of AM and phytoplasma-infected plants were not affected. The mechanisms underlying these interactions are discussed and a direct action of the AM fungus is hypothesized.     

Nursery inoculation of tomato with arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi and subsequent performance under irrigation with saline water

Protected horticultural crops as well as those planted in open fields particularly in the Mediterranean region have to cope with increasing salinization of irrigation water. High salinity of the supply water has detrimental effects on soil fertility and plant nutrition and reduces crop growth and yield. This study was conducted to determine if pre-inoculation of transplants with arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi alleviates salt effects on growth and yield of tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill. Cv. Marriha) when irrigated with saline water. Tomato seeds were sown in polystyrene trays with 20 cm³ cells and treated with AM fungi (AM) or without (nonAM) Glomus mosseae. Once the seedlings were reached appropriate size, they were transplanted into nonsterile soil in concrete blocks (1.6 m × 3 m × 0.75 m) under greenhouse conditions. The soil electrical conductivity (EC_e) was 1.4 dS m⁻¹. Plants were irrigated with nonsaline water (EC_w = 0.5 dS m⁻¹) or saline water (EC_w = 2.4 dS m⁻¹) until harvest. These treatments resulted with soil EC at harvest 1.7 and 4.4 dS m⁻¹ for nonsaline and saline water treatments, respectively. Root colonization with AM fungi at flowering was lower under saline than nonsaline conditions. Pre-inoculated tomato plants with AM fungi irrigated with both saline and nonsaline water had greater shoot and root dry matter (DM) yield and fruit fresh yield than nonAM plants. The enhancement in fruit fresh yield due to AM fungi inoculation was 29% under nonsaline and 60% under saline water conditions. Shoot contents of P, K, Zn, Cu, and Fe were higher in AM compared with nonAM plants grown under nonsaline and saline water conditions. Shoot Na concentrations were lower in AM than nonAM plants grown under saline water conditions. Results indicate that pre-inoculation of tomato transplants with AM fungi improved yield and can help alleviate deleterious effects of salt stress on crop yield.     

Beneficial roles of arbuscular mycorrhizas in citrus seedlings at temperature stress

Citrus, a cold-sensitive plant, often suffers from low temperature, which seriously affects citrus productivity. The objective of the study was to elevate the roles of an arbuscular mycorrhizal fungus, Glomus mosseae, in growth, photosynthesis, root morphology and nutrient uptake of citrus (Citrus tangerine) seedlings under temperature stress conditions. Three-month-old seedlings with or without G. mosseae were grown for 55 days at moderate temperature (25 °C) and low temperature (15 °C). Low temperature severely restrained symbiotic development including mycorrhizal colonization, entry point, vesicle and arbuscule relative to moderate temperature. Mycorrhizal seedlings grown at 25 °C maintained better stem diameter, plant height, leaf area, root and total dry weights, higher photosynthetic rate, transpiration rate and stomatal conductance, higher root volume, and more uptake of P, Ca and Mg relative to corresponding non-mycorrhizal control. However, mycorrhizal inoculation significantly increased only the root length and the Ca content of the seedlings grown at 15 °C. The results indicated that mycorrhizal formation had the beneficial effects on growth, photosynthesis, root morphology and part nutrient uptake of citrus seedlings grown at moderate temperature, but the beneficial roles of arbuscular mycorrhizas were almost lost at low temperature.     

硝普钠对低氧胁迫下黄瓜幼苗生长、光合及叶绿素荧光参数的影响

以"中农8号"黄瓜为试材,采用营养液水培的方法,通过添加不同浓度(0.1、0.3、0.5mmol·L^-1)的硝普钠(SNP)作为一氧化氮(NO)供体,研究了外源NO对低氧胁迫下黄瓜生长、光合及叶绿素荧光参数的影响。结果表明:在低氧胁迫下黄瓜植株的生长、光合作用以及光合系统活性均受抑制,添加不同浓度的SNP,显著促进了低氧胁迫下黄瓜幼苗生长和光合作用,光合系统活性也得到显著提高,低氧胁迫伤害得到有效缓解,主要表现为株高、茎粗、主根长、根体积、根系活力、地上鲜质量和地下干鲜质量显著提高;幼苗叶片的Pn、Gs和WUE显著提高,Ci显著降低;Fv/Fm、ETR、qP、ΦPSⅡ显著提高,NPQ显著降低。其中最适SNP添加浓度为0.1mmol·L^-1。     

Micro-scale heterogeneity in urban forest soils affects fine root foraging by ornamental seedlings of Buddhist pine and Northeast yew

Urban soils are frequently characterized by a strong heterogeneity caused by intense anthropogenic activity and land use changes. Soil heterogeneity is commonly known to affect tree root development, but little has been detected concerning root foraging by ornamental trees in heterogeneous urban soils at micro-scale. In this study, Buddhist pine [Podocarpus macrophyllus (Thunb.) D. Don] and Northeast yew (Taxus cuspidata S. et Z.) were selected as ornamental tree species for a two-year study. In the first-year, seedlings were cultured under contrasting photoperiods to generate different morphologies. In the second year, seedlings were transplanted to pots filled with soils collected from an urban forest. Controlled-release fertilizers (N-P₂O₅-K₂O, 14-13-13) were evenly broadcasted to a half patch of the pot (heterogeneity) or to both halves (homogeneity) on the surface 5 cm beneath the pot-top at the rate of 0.135 g N seedling⁻¹. In the fertilized heterogeneous patch, larger Buddhist pine seedlings had greater dry weight, length, surface area, volume, number of tips, and morphological foraging-precision in fine roots. Compared to Northeast yew seedlings under natural photoperiod in the first year, those under the extended photoperiod had larger size, greater fine root biomass, and length but lower foraging-precision in the second year. N and P concentrations in second-year fine roots mainly increased with the availability of patches generated by fertilization for both species. In conclusion, the ability to forage for nutrients by ornamental tree seedlings in heterogeneous urban forest soils was species-specific. Buddhist pine seedlings had higher foraging precision in heterogeneous urban soils than Northeast yew seedlings due to their response to the extended photoperiod during culture.     

Gibberellin producing Neosartorya sp. CC8 reprograms Chinese cabbage to higher growth

Gibberellins production by soil fungi received little attention, although substantial work has been carried out on other growth promoting aspects of soil borne fungi. We investigated gibberellins production and growth promoting capacity of a novel fungal strain of Neosartorya, which was isolated from the roots of Chinese cabbage (Bassica rapa L. ssp. pekinensis). Fungal culture filtrates (CF) obtained from pure cultures of 16 endophytic fungi were bioassayed on Waito-C, in order to investigate plant growth promoting capacity of these fungi. The fungal isolate CC-8 induced maximum shoot length of Waito-C (13.0 cm) as compared to control treatments. In a separate experiment, the CF of fungus CC-8 significantly promoted plant length and biomass of Chinese cabbage. The fungal CF also increased endogenous bioactive GA₁ and GA₄ contents of Chinese cabbage. Gibberellin analysis of CF of CC-8 showed presence of both physiologically active and non active gibberellins in higher concentrations (GA₁, 1.42 ng/ml; GA₃, 5.93 ng/ml; GA₄, 11.36 ng/ml; GA₇, 3.25 ng/ml; GA₉, 0.79 ng/ml; GA₁₅, 1.18 ng/ml). The culture filtrate of CC-8 produced higher amounts of GA₃, GA₄, GA₇ and GA₉ than wild type Fusarium fujikuroi, a well known gibberellins producing fungus. The fungal isolate CC-8 was later identified as a new strain of Neosartorya species on the basis of traditional and advance molecular techniques.