Abstract
The mycorrhizal status of 24 plant species considered as endemic, endangered in Poland and included in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Plants is reported. Selected plants and rhizosphere soil samples were collected in the Tatra Mts (Western Carpathians). Individuals of seriously threatened taxa were obtained from seeds and inoculated with available AM fungal strains under laboratory conditions. AM colonisation was found in 16 plants; 9 species were of the Arum-type, 4 - Paris and 3 taxa revealed intermediate morphology. The mycelium of the fine endophyte (<em>Glomus tenue</em>) and dark septate fungi (DSE) were observed in the material collected in the field. 20 AMF species (<em>Glomeromycota</em>) found in the rhizosphere of the investigated plants were reported for the first time from the Tatra Mts. The results provide information that might be useful for conservation and restoration programmes of these species. Application of AMF in active plant protection projects is discussed.
Highlights
A great climatic diversity, varied topography, geological formations and soils resulted in the exeptional richness of the Tatras flora
There is an urgent need for interdisciplinary studies on plants of special concern to develop effective methods of their maintenance and propagation. As part of these efforts to better understand the biology and ecology of these species and to improve success of plant conservation actions, we examined the mycorrhizal status of endemics, taxa endangered in Poland and included in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Plants
The use of soil microorganism consortia to support plant growth have been proposed in agriculture (Vestberg et al 2002), horticulture (Hamel 1996), and in the restoration strategies of destroyed habitats (Leyval et al 2002; González-Chávez et al 2006; Turnau et al 2006)
Summary
A great climatic diversity, varied topography, geological formations and soils resulted in the exeptional richness of the Tatras flora. The preservation of rare and endangered species is the main goal of numerous plant protection projects and is considered as an obligation for a number of countries bound by international agreements (Kamierczakowa and Zarzycki 2001). There is an urgent need for interdisciplinary studies on plants of special concern to develop effective methods of their maintenance and propagation. As part of these efforts to better understand the biology and ecology of these species and to improve success of plant conservation actions, we examined the mycorrhizal status of endemics, taxa endangered in Poland and included in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Plants. Such research is considered a pre-requisite for making further active plant conservation projects successful (Turnau and Haselwandter 2002; Fuchs and Haselwandter 2004)
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