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.     

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.     

野生黄花蒿土壤的养分状况与微生物特征

黄花蒿是提取青蒿素的唯一原料植物,广泛分布于我国西南地区。为探索野生黄花蒿的耐瘠机理,提高人工种植黄花蒿的产量品质,研究了野生黄花蒿土壤的养分状况与微生物特性,以及它们与黄花蒿产量品质的关系。结果表明,在野生黄花蒿生长的不同样地中,土壤养分、pH、酶活性和微生物量差异显著,说明黄花蒿耐瘠耐肥,具有广泛的生态适应性。利用气相色谱-质谱联用仪共检测出24种土壤微生物标记性磷脂脂肪酸(PLFAs),包括代表细菌的19种11～19碳PLFAs,代表放线菌的10Me18∶0,代表真菌的18∶2ω6,9、18∶1ω9c和18∶1ω9t,以及代表线虫的20∶0,PLFAs总含量均表现出细菌放线菌真菌的现象。在黄花蒿根际土壤中,pH显著低于非根际土壤,但有机质、碱解氮、有效磷、速效钾,蔗糖酶、脲酶和磷酸酶活性,微生物碳氮量,PLFAs总含量,微生物群落的多样性和均匀度指数等显著高于非根际土壤。此外,在野生黄花蒿根际土壤中,微生物PLFAs总含量与黄花蒿植株生物量、青蒿酸和青蒿素产量呈极显著正相关,微生物生物量碳氮与青蒿酸和青蒿素产量呈显著或极显著正相关。说明黄花蒿根际土壤适合多种微生物生长繁殖,种群丰富,密度高,酶活性强,提高了土壤养分的有效性,有益于野生黄花蒿适应不同的土壤条件,根际土壤微生物显著影响野生黄花蒿生长及其有效成分的含量。     

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.     

Response of soybean cultivars toward inoculation with three arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi and Bradyrhizobium japonicum in the alluvial soil

The aim of this study was to assess the comparative efficacy of three arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) combined with cultivar specific Bradyrhizobium japonicum (CSBJ) in soybean under greenhouse conditions. Soybean seeds of four cultivars namely JS 335, JS 71-05, NRC 2 and NRC 7 were inoculated with three AM fungi (Glomus intraradices, Acaulospora tuberculata and Gigaspora gigantea) and CSBJ isolates, individually or in combination, and were grown in pots using autoclaved alluvial soil of a non-legume cultivated field of Ajmer (Rajasthan). Assessment of the data on nodulation, plant growth and seed yield revealed that amongst the single inoculations of three AMF, G. intraradices produced the largest increases in the parameters studied followed by A. tuberculata and G. gigantea indicating that plant acted selectively on AMF symbiosis. The dual inoculation with AMF + CSBJ further improved these parameters demonstrating synergism between the two microsymbionts. Among all the dual treatments, G. intraradices + B. japonicum brought about the largest increases in the studied characteristics particularly in seed weight per plant that increased up to 115.19%, which suggested that a strong selective synergistic relationship existed between AMF and B. japonicum. The cv. JS 335 exhibited maximum positive response towards inoculation. The variations in efficacy of different treatments with different soybean cultivars indicate the specificity of the inoculation response. These results provide a basis for selection of an appropriate combination of specific AMF and Bradyrhizobium which could further be utilized for verifying the symbiotic effectiveness and competitive ability of microsymbionts under field conditions of Ajmer region.     

干旱胁迫下丛枝菌根对大豆抗氧化代谢及根围微生物的影响

丛枝菌根真菌(AMF)可促进作物营养吸收和提高抗逆性,成为寄主抵御干旱胁迫的有效途径。为探明AMF提高大豆抗旱性的机制,以‘桂春豆103’为材料接种幼套近明囊霉(Claroideoglomus etunicatum,简写为C.e),研究干旱条件下C.e对田间大豆叶抗氧化酶及根围土中C/N/P循环相关酶活性等的影响,并用变性梯度凝胶电泳等方法探索土壤微生物群落结构的变化。结果表明:干旱处理前,接种C.e(+AM)处理大豆SOD、POD活性及游离脯氨酸(FP)含量,磷酸酶、蔗糖酶和脲酶活性,土壤细菌、真菌和放线菌数量及物种多样性、丰富度和群落均匀度指数,大豆生物量和株高均显著高于(-AM)处理(P0.05),MDA含量显著降低(P0.05)。干旱(D)处理后,+AM+D处理的上述各项指标,除MDA含量比-AM+D或+AM处理分别显著降低或升高(P0.05),FP含量比两处理显著提高(P0.05)外,其余指标值及细菌和真菌r DNA条带数均比-AM+D处理显著升高,比+AM处理显著下降(P0.05)。-AM+D与-AM处理的细菌和真菌群落均分别聚类于两不同分支,+AM与+AM+D处理聚于同一分支。可见,+AM+D处理能显著促进大豆抗氧化酶系统活性,维持较强的活性氧清除和渗透调节能力,缓解干旱对土壤酶活性的抑制,保持较高的细胞膜稳定性、土壤微生物数量和群落多样性,有利于C/N/P循环转化,提高抗旱性,最终促进大豆生长。本研究可为促进农业生态系统可持续发展奠定基础。     

Screening of Streptomyces strains helping arbuscular mycorrhizal symbiosis against pepper (Capsicum annuum L.) Phytophthora blight

Mycorrhiza helper bacteria (MHB) can promote the formation and functioning of arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) symbiosis, but their role and application potential in coping with soil-borne diseases are still unclear. A 14-week greenhouse pot experiment was conducted to obtain several actinomycete strains helping AM symbiosis in suppressing the Phytophthora blight of pepper (Capsicum annuum L.), using a soil inoculated with Phytophthora capsici after sterilization. Five Streptomyces strains, including S. pseudogriseolus, S. albogriseolus, S. griseoaurantiacus, S. tricolor, and S. tendae, as well as the AM fungus (Funneliformis caledonium) were tested. The Phytophthora blight severity reached 66% at full productive stage in the uninoculated control, and inoculation of F. caledonium, S. griseoaurantiacus, and S. tricolor alone significantly decreased (P ＜ 0.05) it to 47%, 40%, and 35%, respectively. Compared to F. caledonium alone, additional inoculation of S. tricolor or S. tendae, which were isolated from the rhizosphere of a healthy individual in an infected field, significantly elevated (P ＜ 0.05) root mycorrhizal colonization, root biomass, fruit yield, and total K acquisitions of pepper and further significantly decreased (P ＜ 0.05) blight severity. According to the feature of enhancing disease-suppression by AM symbiosis, both S. tricolor and S. tendae were confirmed as MHB strains here. Specifically, S. tendae had a stronger performance in directly accelerating mycorrhization, while S. tricolor antagonist to the pathogenic P. capsici. Furthermore, S. griseoaurantiacus with the independent disease-suppression function was not an MHB strain here. The redundancy analyses demonstrated that when AM fungus was present, root mycorrhizal colonization replaced soil pH becoming the main factor affecting pepper Phytophthora blight. Thus, S. tricolor and S. tendae seemed to have the value of preparation and application in the future to help AM symbiosis against pepper Phytophthora blight.     

沙蒿生物质炭在沙土中的降解特征

为明确不同炭化条件下沙蒿生物质炭的有机组分、炭化过程和降解特性。于不同炭化条件下无氧炭化制备沙蒿生物质炭并进行沙地封存。结果表明:H、O和N元素的质量分数及H/C、O/C和(N+O)/C均随炭化温度的升高和炭化时间的延长呈先降低后稳定的变化趋势,升温速率对其无显著影响。而C则呈相反趋势且均在炭化温度600℃、炭化时间60 min以后基本达定值,上述指标(H、O、N、H/C、O/C、(N+O)/C和C)的稳定值分别约为29.3 g/kg、79.8 g/kg、11.2 g/kg、0.40、0.07、0.08和879.7 g/kg。生物质炭的降解速率随着炭化温度的升高、炭化时间的延长和施用量的增大而降低,其半衰期为2~12年。综上,沙蒿的炭化既是有机组分富碳、去极性官能团的过程,同时也是芳香性增强、亲水性和极性减弱的过程,施用量和炭化温度是影响生物质炭降解的决定性因素。     

Interaction between the soil yeast Rhodotorula mucilaginosa and the arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi Glomus mosseae and Gigaspora rosea

The effect of the soil yeast, Rhodotorula mucilaginosa LBA, on Glomus mosseae (BEG n°12) and Gigaspora rosea (BEG n°9) was studied in vitro and in greenhouse trials. Hyphal length of G. mosseae and G. rosea spores increased significantly in the presence of R. mucilaginosa. Exudates from R. mucilaginosa stimulated hyphal growth of G. mosseae and G. rosea spores. Increase in hyphal length of G. mosseae coincided with an increase in R. mucilaginosa exudates. No stimulation of G. rosea hyphal growth was detected when 0.3 and 0.5 ml per petri dish of yeast exudates was applied. Percentage root length colonization by G. mosseae in soybean (Glycine max L. Merill) and by G. rosea in red clover (Trifolium pratense L. cv. Huia) was increased only when the soil yeast was inoculated before G. mosseae or G. rosea was introduced. Beneficial effects of R. mucilaginosa on arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) colonization were found when the soil yeast was inoculated either as a thin agar slice or as a volume of 5 and 10 ml of an aqueous solution. R. mucilaginosa exudates (20 ml per pots) applied to soil increased significantly the percentage of AM colonization of soybean and red clover.     

沙蒿种子萌发对NaCl及聚乙二醇胁迫的响应

[目的]研究在盐分以及干旱胁迫条件下沙蒿种子的萌发能力,为沙蒿的人工培育和栽种提供参考依据。[方法]以沙蒿种子为试验材料,使用不同浓度的NaCl溶液(0.2%,0.4%,0.6%,0.8%,1.0%,1.2%,1.4%,1.6%,1.8%)和聚乙二醇(PEG)溶液(5%,10%,15%,20%,25%)模拟盐分以及干旱对种子的胁迫条件,测定种子萌发初期的发芽率、发芽势、发芽指数、活力指数。[结果]当NaCl浓度≤0.6%时,上述指标与对照组相比未发生显著变化;但当溶液浓度高于这一范围时,各项指标则随浓度升高而显著降低;说明NaCl溶液浓度为0.6%是种子正常萌发的适宜浓度界限。当PEG浓度≤15%时,沙蒿种子的上述指标与对照组相比未发生显著变化;但当PEG浓度高于15%时,种子各项指标与对照组相比则显著降低;说明PEG浓度为15%是种子正常萌发的适宜浓度界限。[结论]沙蒿种子对轻、中度的盐分及干旱胁迫表现出耐受性,在含盐量较低的土壤以及轻、中度的干旱环境中仍可正常萌发。     

Can the arbuscular mycorrhizal fungus Glomus intraradices actively mobilize P from rock phosphates?

Plants colonized by arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi have been shown to respond positively to the application of insoluble forms of inorganic phosphorus (P) such as rock phosphates (RPs). The mechanism(s) underlying such responses remain(s) unknown and although it has been hypothesized, there is no experimental support for the production of chelating agents by AM fungal hyphae. Here we investigate whether AM fungi can solubilize P from RPs and transfer it to plant roots. Using root-organ cultures of Daucus carrota L. inoculated or not with Glomus intraradices Schenk & Smith and containing P from different RP sources, we predicted that: (1) roots inoculated with G. intraradices would take up more P than those uninoculated; that (2) the amount of P taken up by roots through G. intraradices would be positively correlated with the RP reactivity; and that (3) G. intraradices would have access to RP through localized alterations of pH and/or by the production of organic acid anions that may act as chelating agents. The RP reactivity was positively correlated with P uptake. However, mycorrhizal roots grew initially slower and did not respond differently to any P treatment than those uninoculated. There was no evidence of localized changes in pH in proximity of G. intraradices hyphae, indicating that responses to RP by mycorrhizal plants observed in previous studies do not appear to result from the release of H⁺ ions alone or in combination with organic acid anions.     

铅胁迫下接种AM真菌对龙葵根际土壤微生物群落代谢特征的影响

为从微生态角度探索接种AM真菌对铅污染根际土壤微生物群落代谢特征的影响,以摩西管柄囊霉（Funneliformis mosseae）和幼套近明囊霉（Claroideoglomus etunicatum）为接种菌剂,在温室盆栽条件下以Pb⁴⁺含量为0 mg·kg^-1、200 mg·kg^-1、400 mg·kg^-1和800 mg·kg^-1土壤种植龙葵（Solanum nigrum）10周后采集根际土壤,采用Biolog微平板法测定龙葵根际土壤微生物群落的代谢变化。结果表明：1）微生物平均代谢活性（AWCD）随铅浓度增加呈降—升—降趋势;接种AM真菌显著提高了铅胁迫下根际土壤微生物的AWCD值,仅中浓度（400 mg·kg^-1）下未达显著差异。2）中浓度铅处理能显著提高根际土壤微生物对糖类及其衍生物、氨基酸类、脂肪酸和脂类及代谢产物类四大类碳源底物利用能力;接种AM真菌,高浓度（800 mg·kg^-1）铅处理显著提高了根际土壤微生物对氨基酸类底物的利用能力。3）铅胁迫下接种AM真菌提高了根际土壤微生物多样性指数,在中浓度下丰富度指数、Shannon-Wiener多样性指数、Simpson优势度指数均达显著水平。4）主成分分析显示,代谢产物类在PC1和PC2中种类最多,分别为6种和4种;糖类及其衍生物在PC3中种类最多（5种）。5）在铅胁迫和接种AM真菌共同作用下,微生物碳源利用主要受铅浓度调节,并且二者对微生物碳源利用具有显著交互效应。综上可知,接种AM真菌能够提高铅胁迫下龙葵根际土壤微生物多样性指数,增强根际土壤微生物对碳源底物的利用能力。该研究为进一步探究AM真菌强化植物联合修复技术提供了依据。     

Distribution of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi spores in soils of smallholder agroforestry and monocultural coffee systems in southwestern Ethiopia

Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) are associated with the root system of coffee (Coffea arabica L.) plants, but their distribution in smallholder agroforestry and monocultural coffee systems is not well known. This study investigates the spatial distribution of AMF spores in a field study in southwestern Ethiopia. Soil samples from different depths (0–50 cm) were collected under the tree canopies of Acacia abyssinica, Albizia gummifera, Ficus sur, Ficus vasta and randomly selected unshaded coffee plants at different sampling points (canopy base, radius, edge and outside canopy). Significantly higher AMF spore densities were recorded at canopy bases and at 0–30 cm soil depth. Spore populations were found to belong to five genera: Acaulospora, Entrophospora, Glomus, Gigaspora and Scutellospora, with Glomus and Acaulospora dominating. Sampling points, sites and depths, shade tree species and shade tree/coffee plant age affected AMF spore density. Agroforestry practices including the use of leguminous shade trees effectively maintained AMF numbers in soils even at depth compared with unshaded coffee plants (monocultures).     

Growth response of field-grown Siratro (Macroptilium atropurpureum Urb.) and Aeschynomene american L. to inoculation with selected vesicular-arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi

Summary The effect of inoculation with a selected isolate of Glomus etunicatum Becker and Gerdemann and one of G. intraradices Schenck and Smith on the growth and nutrient content of Macroptilium atropurpureum Urb. cv. Siratro and Aeschynomene americana L., at applied P levels of 10, 30, 60, and 120 kg ha^-1, was studied under field conditions. At all P levels and for all harvests, the shoot dry mass of Siratro and A. americana were greater for the plants inoculated with the vesicular-arbuscular mycorrhizal (VAM) fungi than the control plants. Differences between the VAM fungus-inoculated and the control plants were most marked between 30 and 90 kg ha^-1 of applied P and diminished at 120 kg ha^-1. At the first harvest of Siratro, the plants inoculated with G. etunicatum had a greater shoot dry mass than those inoculated with G. intraradices, for all levels of applied P. However, for subsequent harvest of Siratro and for the one harvest of A. americana the response of shoot dry mass to the two VAM fungi was equivocal. Fungal inoculation gave at least a 30% saving in the amount of P fertilizer required (40 kg ha^-1) for the maximum yield. The plants inoculated with VAM fungi had a greater tissue concentration and total content of P and N than the control plants at low and intermediate levels of applied P. The percentage of root colonized by VAM fungi for the inoculated plants of the two legumes increased linearly with P additions up to 60 kg ha^-1. The conclusion is that under amended (limed and fertilized) soil conditions, inoculation with selected VAM fungi can improve the establishement and growth of forage legumes in fields that contain ineffective populations of native VAM fungi.     

Effects of an arbuscular mycorrhizal fungus and two plant-parasitic nematodes on<Emphasis Type="Italic"> Musa</Emphasis> genotypes differing in root morphology

In this study, the effect of an arbuscular mycorrhizal fungus (AMF) and two migratory endoparasitic nematodes on Musa plant growth, including the root system, were examined. In addition, the AMF-nematode interaction was studied. Seven Musa genotypes with different root systems were selected. Based on their relative mycorrhizal dependency, two genotypes (Calcutta 4 and Obino l'Ewai) were selected for AMF-nematode interaction studies. The experiments were performed under greenhouse conditions. Mycorrhization with Glomus mosseae resulted in a significantly better plant growth even in the presence of nematodes. The effect of AMF on the root system was genotype-dependent and seemed to be related to the relative mycorrhizal dependency of the genotype. The nematodes also affected the root system, decreasing branching. Nematode population densities were significantly reduced in the presence of AMF, except for Pratylenchus coffeae in Obino l'Ewai. In the root system, it appeared that the decreased branching caused by the nematodes was counterbalanced by the increased branching caused by the AMF.     

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.     

污泥复混肥对早熟禾草坪草生长性状及土壤酶活性的影响

为使城市生活污泥得以无害化、资源化综合利用,通过盆栽试验,研究了经无害化处理的生活污泥辅以化肥配制的污泥复混肥对早熟禾草坪草生长以及土壤酶活性的影响.结果表明:在氮、磷、钾施用总量相同的条件下,随复混肥中污泥含量的增加,草坪土壤脲酶、蛋白酶、转化酶活性显著提高,草坪草的颜色明显改善,剪草量、分蘖数显著增加,特别在生长中后期草坪颜色提高两个等级,剪草量鲜重增加10～15g·盆-1,分蘖数增加30～50个·盆-1,细胞膜透性降低40%.但污泥提供氮素养分占总氮量的60%以上时,其肥料效应的增加不再显著,故在配制污泥复混肥时,以污泥提供氮素养分占总氮量的60%左右为宜.     

单株油蒿蒸腾耗水特征及其与环境因素的关系

[目的]探究油蒿的蒸腾耗水规律及其对环境因子的响应,旨在为固沙植被建设提供科学依据。[方法]利用野外大型称重式蒸渗仪于2014年6—9月底对单株油蒿的蒸腾过程进行连续观测,并同步监测了土壤含水量及相关气象因子。[结果]油蒿单日蒸腾强度曲线在晴天表现为双峰曲线,而在阴雨天双峰曲线不明显;研究期间,单株油蒿蒸腾耗水量为101.66mm,日平均蒸腾强度为0.83mm/d。蒸渗仪内土壤蒸发量106.05mm,日平均土壤蒸发强度为0.87mm/d,试验期间蒸散量占降雨量的82.98%。降雨可以维持油蒿正常生长,并对土壤水分进行一定补充;油蒿蒸腾强度与空气相对湿度(p0.01)、空气温度(p0.01)、太阳净辐射(p0.01)和20cm深度土壤体积含水量(p0.05)具有很好的相关性,且相关性依次减小。[结论]油蒿蒸腾耗水日变化明显,其蒸腾速率受土壤水分状况、气象条件及自身生理特征等因素的影响。     

Mycorrhizae,biocides, and biocontrol. 4. Response of a mixed culture of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi and host plant to three fungicides

The effects of three commonly used fungicides on the colonization and sporulation by a mixture of three arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi consisting of Glomus etunicatum (Becker & Gerd.), Glomus mosseae (Nicol. & Gerd.) Gerd. & Trappe, and Gigaspora rosea (Nicol. & Schenck) in symbiosis with pea plants and the resulting response of the host-plant were examined. Benomyl, PCNB, and captan were applied as soil drenches at a rate of 20 mg active ingredient kg^-1 soil 2 weeks after transplanting pea seedlings in a silty clay-loam soil containing the mixed inocula of AM fungi (AM plants). Effects of fungicides were compared to untreated plants that were inoculated with fungi (AM control). The effect of mycorrhizal inoculation on plant growth was also examined by including nonmycorrhizal, non-fungicide-treated plants (non-AM control). Fungicides or inoculation with AM fungi had only a small effect on the final shoot weights of pea plants, but had greater effects on root length and seed yield. AM control plants had higher seed yields and lower root lengths than the corresponding non-AM plants, and the fungicide-treated AM plants had intermediate yields and root lengths. Seed N and P contents were likewise highest in AM control plants, lowest in non-AM plants, and intermediate in fungicide-treated AM plants. All three fungicides depressed the proportion (%) of root length colonized by AM fungi, but these differences did not translate to reductions in the total root length that was colonized, since roots were longer in the fungicide-treated AM plants. Pea plants apparently compensated for the reduction in AM-fungal metabolism due to fungicides by increasing root growth. Fungicides affected the population of the three fungi as determined by sporulation at the final harvest. Captan significantly reduced the number, relative abundance, and relative volume of G. rosea spores in the final population relative to the controls. The relative volume of G. etunicatum spores was greater in all the fungicide-treated soils, while G. mosseae relative volumes were only greater in the captan-treated soil. These findings show that fungicides can alter the species composition of an AM-fungal community. The results also show that AM fungi can increase seed yield without enhancing the vegetative shoot growth of host plants.     

Differential growth response of Curculigo orchioides to native arbuscular mycorrhizal fungal (AMF) communities varying in number and fungal components

The study reports diversity of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungal (AMF) species in the rhizosphere of an endangered anticancerous herb – Curculigo orchioides Gaertn. in its natural habitat. A total of 18 species of AMF, belonging to three genera (Acaulospora, Glomus and Gigaspora) were recorded, with Glomus microcarpum being the most abundant species type. The AMF species composition across the study sites appeared to be influenced by soil pH rather than soil P and vegetation. Acaulospora laevis spores were restricted to sites where the soil pH was acidic. The effectiveness of these native AMF species on growth performance of C. orchioides plants was compared under experimental conditions. In general, the mycorrhizal plants were superior in most of the evaluated parameters, but the extent to which the growth of mycorrhizal plants was influenced varied with the inocula used. The plants inoculated with mixed consortia containing maximum AMF species richness exhibited improved growth in comparison to consortia containing lower AMF diversity and monospecies cultures. The variable plant responses observed with any two consortia having same species richness in the present study could be due to variable component AMF species and their relative abundance. These results emphasize the need to protect the below-ground diversity of AMF and recommend their usage for restoration practices.