Isolation and identification of the mycotoxigenic and non-mycotoxigenic fungi from foodstuff and feedstuff in Mazandaran Province, Northern Iran

Abstract

Amongst many novel interactions that alien plants forge with their new associates in the introduced range, the role of Arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) mutualism and herbivory has been hitherto studied separately. Since these associations operate concurrently in nature to influence plant performance, we attempted to investigate their interactive effect on invasiveness of Mayweed Chamomile (Anthemis cotula L.), a highly invasive species in the Kashmir Himalaya, India. Survey of some field populations of A. cotula in native (European) and introduced (Kashmir Himalayan) regions revealed high incidence of phytophagous parasites on the species in native range, in contrast to almost enemy-free populations in the introduced range. However, occasional association of an aphid herbivore with some individuals of A. cotula in the introduced range was found to have positive influence on traits contributing to invasiveness of the species. We subsequently established a pot experiment in which A. cotula was grown with and without mycorrhizas and herbivores, both in isolation and combination. Results revealed that mycorrhizal inoculation and herbivory, both in isolation and in combination, influenced significantly growth and fitness, hence invasiveness, of A. cotula. While our simple study point towards likely synergistic influence of below- and above-ground interactions on plant invasiveness, we stress for the need of comprehensive multifactor interaction analysis while dealing with plant invasions. Key words: Anthemis cotula, arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi, alien invasive species, herbivory, overcompensatory growth.