Indigenous Arbuscular Mycorrhizae Fungi Research Articles

Response of micropropagated tissue culture banana (Musa spp.) to acclimatization using arbuscular mycorrhiza fungi

The production of banana seedlings through tissue culture provides a reliable source of numerous, disease free, quality plantlets. However, the micropropagation process is faced with a number of challenges. In this study we are focusing on the improvement of survival and growth of the resultant plantlets during the acclimatization process. The viability of arbuscular mycorrhiza fungi (AMF) symbiont in the acclimatization process was assessed. Tissue culture bananas (Kienyeji, Kiganda and Ng’ombe local cultivars) were inoculated with single species AMF Rhizophagus irregularis and Funneliformis mosseae as well as commercial AMF Rhizatech. The survival rate was assessed and plant growth evaluated at a two week interval. Destructive harvesting was conducted followed by assessment of root, shoot and total biomass. The results demonstrated that Kiganda treated with Rhisophagus irregularis and Funneliformis mossae recorded better survival rates compared to treatments with NPK fertilizer and commercial AMF (Rhizatech). Kienyeji cultivar however had a better survival rate when treated with commercial AMF (Rhizatech). Ng’ombe cultivar was very resilient having 100 % survival rate when treated with indigenous AMF, commercial AMF (Rhizatech) and NPK. There were significant differences in the shoot dry weight, root dry weight and biomass in the three banana cultivars. Kiganda and Kienyeji cultivars had the highest biomass when treated with Funneliformis mossae of 0.52 g and 0.83 g respectively. The results in this study confirm that the use of AMF in the acclimatization process improves the overall seedling output of the micropropagation process during the nursery stage of production.

ARBUSCULAR MYCORRHIZAE FUNGI AND SUSTAINABILITY OF ARTISANAL GOLD MINING WASTE DISPOSAL SITE REVEGETATION

Mining areas is associated with barren, highly altered soil structure, poor soil nutrients and high heavy metals concentration. Those condition, in some way may influence plant and its microbial symbion adaptation in order to establish vegetation. Arbuscular Mycorrhizae Fungi (AMF) form symbiosis to plant and provide both side beneficial. Because of its importance, AM F are addressed as important aspect in revegetation. In this paper we describe about AMF present in Artisanal Gold Mining (AGM) waste disposal site and furthermore we review about AMF adaptation in facing climate change. AMF spore and colonization were observed under microscope. Generally, 5 AMF species from genus Glomus and Acaulospora had been found. AMF Spore density varied from 8-162 spore/ 150 gram soil. Root colonizations were found in 8 plant species with percentage range from very low to high category. The highest concentration of mercury (135,4 ppm), Pb (51,4 ppm), and Cyanide (5,6 ppm) is followed by supreme AM diversity (4 species), spore density ( 162/150 gram soil), colonization percentage (high category), and plant diversity (6 species). The plant diversity was decreasing along with the low diversity and abundance of AMF. This results indicate that indigenous AMF can colonizes and promote plant diversity in tailing and potentially can be used to promote revegetation. Elevated C seems play role in enchancing AMF colonization but in soil with low available nitrogen, AMF are indicated to promote carbon loss. Furthermore, higher temperature may result in lower glomalin, protein produced by AMF which function in water-stability of soil aggregate.

Effects of Indigenous and Non-Indigenous Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi on Growth and Plant Nutrient Uptake by Terung Asam (Solanum lasiocarpum Dunal)

Terung asam (Solanum lasiocarpum Dunal) is a native fruit vegetable that is gaining interest as a commercial crop in Sarawak and Malaysia. Malaysia is covered by soils that are highly weathered, acidic, and low in fertility and depend on chemical fertilisers to promote good plant growth. Alternative means to reduce dependency on chemical fertiliser, for example arbuscular mycorrhiza fungi (AMF), must be sourced. Very few research on terung asam has been documented particularly on nutrients uptake. The objectives of this research were to investigate the effect of indigenous and non-indigenous AMF on nutrient uptake by terung asam. A greenhouse experiment was conducted consisting of three treatments namely control (T1), indigenous AMF (T2), non-indigenous AMF (T3). The treatments were arranged in a complete randomised design with four subsamples and four replicates. Thirty-day-old seedlings were transplanted and measured for their heights and stem diameters for 90 days. Fresh and dry shoot and root weights were taken during harvesting. Plant nutrient analyses were conducted using Kjeldahl method for total N, single ashing for P and single ashing and double acid for K, Ca and Mg. The results revealed the addition of AMF spores at 200 spores per pot, increased plant height by 13 to 33% and stem diameter by 5 to 25% and more leaves were retained by T3 plants at harvesting. T3 recorded higher fresh shoot (11.27%) and dry shoot (14.98%) as well as fresh root (23.67%) and dry root (22.77%) weights than T1 plants. Addition of AMF in treatments T2 and T3 promoted better nutrient uptake by aboveground and belowground biomasses particularly for K, Ca and Mg. T3 was superior in terms of the nutrient uptake for most nutrients. AMF used in T3 showed better results as the AMF spores were proven effective in promoting plant growth while AMF used in T2 were obtained from the field and untested. The findings of this study showed the potential of indigenous and non-indigenous AMF in promoting growth and nutrient uptake by terung asam plants.

Diversity and association of arbuscular mycorrhizae fungi (AMF) in landslide-impacted area

The lack of nutrient availability, organic matter, infiltration capacity, water holding capacity, and the increasing soil density are characteristics of a landslide-impacted area. Potential soil microbes such as indigenous Arbuscular Mycorrhizae Fungi (AMF) should be used to rehabilitate the area. Therefore, diversity of AMF and its association with plant roots that colonize the land should be determined. The research location was in a landslide-impacted area of Mount Bawakaraeng, South Sulawesi, Indonesia. Soil and plant root samples were collected from 2 types areas, namely (1) upstream (Lengkese village) and (2) downstream (Spoilbank of Bili-Bili dam). The results found 15 morphotypes of AMF spores including genus Acaulospora, Gigaspora, Scutellospora and Glomus. The spore density of AMF was low, i.e 837 and 1,495 in upstream and downstream areas respectively. Most of the pioneer plants that invaded the area were associated with AMF, indicated by 19.44 – 95.48% colonization level. The low density of spores proves that the impact of landslides has resulted in decreased soil biological properties. Meanwhile, the AMF colonization in pioneer roots indicated the association of mycorrhizal fungi is needed to help plant survival and improve the soil properties. Furthermore, landslide-impacted areas can be restored and used as agriculture areas.

The Effects of Biochar on Indigenous Arbuscular Mycorrhizae Fungi from Agroenvironments.

The effects of biochar on soil–plant–microorganisms systems are currently being extensively investigated. Considering that arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) play an essential role in nutrient dynamics, the present study aims at understanding vine shoot-derived biochar effects on AMF activity and the impact of their multiplication in soils on water-stress resistance of plants. Three agronomic tests were performed in greenhouse pots. The first experiment evaluated the effects of three factors: final pyrolysis temperature for biochar production (400 °C and 600 °C), application rate (0 weight-wt.- % as a control, 1.5 wt. %, and 3.0 wt. %) and texture of the growing media (sandy-loam and clay-loam origin) on AMF, microbial communities and phosphatase activity. In the second experiment, an indigenous consortium of AMF was multiplied through the solid substrate method and sorghum as a trap plant with biochar addition. This process was compared to a control treatment without biochar. Obtained inocula were tested in a third experiment with lettuce plants under different water irrigation conditions. Results from the first experiment showed a general increase in AMF activity with the addition of the biochar produced at 400 °C in the sandy-loam texture substrate. Results of the second experiment showed that the biochar addition increased AMF root colonization, the number of AMF spores and AMF infective potential. Results of the third experiment showed that biochar-derived AMF inoculum increased AMF root colonization, AMF spores, dry biomass and the SPAD index in a lettuce crop under low-water irrigation conditions.

Investigation of Indigenous Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Performance Using a Lotus japonicus Mycorrhizal Mutant.

Most plants are usually colonized with arbuscular mycorrhiza fungi (AMF) in the fields. AMF absorb mineral nutrients, especially phosphate, from the soil and transfer them to the host plants. Inoculation with exotic AMF is thought to be effective when indigenous AMF performance is low; however, there is no method for evaluating the performance of indigenous AMF. In this study, we developed a method to investigate the performance of indigenous AMF in promoting plant growth. As Lotus japonicus mutant (str) that are unable to form functional mycorrhizal roots were considered to be symbiosis negative for indigenous mycorrhizal performance, we examined the growth ratios of wild-type and str mycorrhizal mutant using 24 soils. Each soil had its own unique indigenous mycorrhizal performance, which was not directly related to the colonization level of indigenous AMF or soil phosphate level. The low indigenous mycorrhizal performance could not be compensated by the inoculation of exotic AMF. Importantly, indigenous mycorrhizal performance was never negative; however, the inoculation of exotic AMF into the same soil led to both positive and negative performances. These results suggest that indigenous mycorrhizal performance is affected by soil management history and is basically harmless to the plant.

Application of Indigenous AMF from ex-coal Mining Soil Combined with Phosphorus Fertilizers to Improved Oil Palm Seedling Growth (Elaeis guineensis Jacq.)

Opencast mining caused heavy deforestation and barren land in Jambi. This ex-mining land must be reclaimed by planting crops based on biofertilizers containing mycorrhizae, this is a potential alternative that provides benefit both agronomy plant and ecosystem specially replanting with oil palm. Those are the technology for reclamation ex-coal mining soil. This research aim is to examine the effect of four combinations indigenous isolate of Arbuscular Mycorrhizae Fungi (AMF), which is originated from ex-coal mining soil that combined with Phosphorous fertilizers to minimize utilizing P fertilizer at oil palm pre-nursery, to improve soil fertility, and seedling growth. Hence, this research was arranged in factorial experiment with 2 factors, using a complete randomized design with three replications. The first factor is five different mycorrhizae isolates, representing a broad range of endomycorrhizae fungi, there are: without indigenous AMF, isolate of Glomus sp. 3, isolates of Glomus sp. 6, isolates of Glomus sp. 15 and isolates of Glomus sp. 16. The second factor is P fertilizer: control (without P fertilizers), fertilizer dosage P 25%, 50%, 75%, and 100%. Variables measured are shoot height, number of leaves per plant, total leaf area per plant, and plant stem diameter. The data were analyzed by analysis of variance to see whether there was an interaction between the MVA isolate and the P fertilizer dosage. The result showed a significant effect on palm oil seedling growth, shoot height, number of leaves per plant, total leaf area per plant but there is no interaction on the stem diameter. Plants that are inoculated with mycorrhizae have greater P content in leaves than those not inoculated. The types of isolated Glomus sp.3 and dosage P 75% of recommended dosage, give the best seedling growth. This research concluded that inoculation with AMF could minimize P fertilizers doses.

Keberadaan Mikoriza Arbuskular pada Lokasi Pertanaman Jarak Pagar (Jatropha curcas L.) di Lembah Palu

Plant rhizosphere has various types of microorganisms, including Arbuscular Mycorrhizae Fungi (AMF). Each ecosystem has different species and densities of AMF. For further use, study the potency of indigenous AMF is necessary. This research was conducted to know the existence and potency of indigenous AMF of soil where physic nuts grow on dry land of Palu Valley at Poboya, Palu, Central Sulawesi. Soil samples were collected, and then observed under microscope. The steps to study the potency of AMF were counting the propagules with Most Probable Number (MPN) method, spora trapping, identifying the types of spore, and single spore culture. The result showed that the number of infective AMF propagules from cultivated soil was 1117 microorganisms/g soil and from of natural soil was 711 microorganisms/g soil; and indigenous AMF from the soil where physic nut grown at Lembah Palu were dominated by Glomus sp.

Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungal colonization is considerable at optimal Olsen-P levels for maximized yields in an intensive wheat-maize cropping system

The occurrence and significance of arbuscular mycorrhizae (AM) are incompletely known in intensive cropping systems with high inputs of phosphorus (P). In this two-year study of an intensive wheat-maize rotation system on calcareous soil, we investigated plant growth and root colonization by indigenous AM fungi as affected by varied P application rates at different growth stages. Wheat growth was more responsive than maize to increasing P supply, but AM fungal colonization was greater for maize. Linear-plateau relationships were obtained between soil Olsen-P and plant growth and AM fungal colonization, through which critical Olsen-P values for optimum plant growth and AM fungal colonization inhibition were quantified. For both crops, the critical Olsen-P levels for AM fungal colonization inhibition (30.7mgkg−1 at the jointing stage and 24.1mgkg−1 at the flowering stage for wheat, 22.3mgkg−1 at the 12-leaf stage and 11.0mgkg−1 at the flowering stage for maize) were higher than those for optimum plant growth (21.8mgkg−1 at the jointing stage and 21.9mgkg−1 at the flowering stage for wheat, 6.2mgkg−1 at the 12-leaf stage for maize). Considering the whole system, maintaining soil Olsen-P levels around 22mgkg−1 is optimal for best yields. Under such conditions, wheat and maize maintained relatively high status of AM fungal colonization, especially for maize, indicating AM might still play an efficient role for both crops.

Specific arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi associated with non-photosynthetic Petrosavia sakuraii (Petrosaviaceae)

Mycorrhizal fungi in roots of the achlorophyllous Petrosavia sakuraii (Petrosaviaceae) were identified by molecular methods. Habitats examined were plantations of the Japanese cypress Chamaecyparis obtusa in Honshu, an evergreen broad-leaved forest in Amami Island in Japan and a mixed deciduous and evergreen forest in China. Aseptate hyphal coils were observed in root cortical cells of P. sakuraii, suggesting Paris-type arbuscular mycorrhiza (AM). Furthermore, hyphal coils that had degenerated to amorphous clumps were found in various layers of the root cortex. Despite extensive sampling of P. sakuraii from various sites in Japan and China, most of the obtained AM fungal sequences of the nuclear small subunit ribosomal RNA gene were nearly identical and phylogenetic analysis revealed that they formed a single clade in the Glomus group A lineage. This suggests that the symbiotic relationship is highly specific. AM fungi of P. sakuraii were phylogenetically different from those previously detected in the roots of some mycoheterotrophic plants. In a habitat in C. obtusa plantation, approximately half of the AM fungi detected in roots of C. obtusa surrounding P. sakuraii belonged to the same clade as that of P. sakuraii. This indicates that particular AM fungi are selected by P. sakuraii from diverse indigenous AM fungi. The same AM fungi can colonize both plant species, and photosynthates of C. obtusa may be supplied to P. sakuraii through a shared AM fungal mycelial network. Although C. obtusa plantations are widely distributed throughout Japan, P. petrosavia is a rare plant species, probably because of its high specificity towards particular AM fungi.

INDUKSI KETAHANAN TANAMAN JAHE TERHADAP PENYAKIT LAYU Ralstonia solanacearum RAS 4 MENGGUNAKAN FUNGI MIKORIZA ARBUSKULAR (FMA) INDIGENUS

Bacterial wilt disease caused by Ralstonia solanacearum race 4 is a yield-limiting disease of ginger. A study to investigate the ability of indigenous Arbuscular Mycorrhizae Fungi (AMF) to reduce bacteria wilt disease has been done. This research was designed by using Randomized Block Design (RBD) at greenhouse experiments, using eight AMF isolates with six replication. As supporting data, population R. solanacearum race 4 after treatments was assesed. The results showed that aplication of indigenous AMF to ginger rhizome as seed treatment dicreased disease incidence, support ginger growth and production such as the seedling formation 150%, plant height 98.6%, the number of leaf 115,7%. As the result yield of ginger rhizome increased by 400 % and phyloplan 598,3%, respectively, compared to the control.

EFEKTIVITAS BERBAGAI FUNGI MIKORIZA ARBUSKULAR INDIGENUS TERHADAP SERAPAN HARA P DAN PERTUMBUHAN TANAMAN JARAK PAGAR (Jatropha curcas L.)

Utilization of arbuscular mycorrhizae fungi (FMA) is an alternative way to improve soil fertility. Therefore, it must be developed by studying deeply the effectivity of the FMA. This is important due to either its ability to associate with almost all of vegetation family in terrestrial ecosystems or its ability to increase plant growth rate, seedlings quality, and crop yield, especially on critical land. A research about effectivity of variously indigenous arbuscular mycorrhizae fungi on P-sorption and Jatropha growth was conducted at laboratorium and glasshouse Agriculture Faculty, Andalas University. This research was aimed to gain the most effective isolate of arbuscular mycorrhizae fungi on growth of and P-sorption by Jatropha (Jatropha curcas L.) plant on critical land. Single isolat such as Glomus sp2, Acaulospora sp1, Gigaspora sp1, and compound isolate M7 (Glomus sp2,+ Acaulospora sp1 + Gigaspora sp1) significantly affected plant height, canopy dry matter, infection percentage and intensity, and P-sorption. M7 Compound isolate was the most effective innoculum. By this isolate, height of Jatropha seedlings was 27.5 cm, canopy dry matter 5.9 g, infection percentage 78.5%, infection intensity was 49.1, and P-sorption by canopy was 1.6 g for each seedling. Keywords: Effectiveness of FMA

Use of arbuscular mycorrhiza fungi for improved crop production in sub-Saharan Africa

Soil fertility depletion through crop removal, soil erosion and leaching is a major challenge to increased crop productivity in Sub-Saharan Africa. Whereas nitrogen can be replenished using Rhizobium inoculants and growing leguminous crops, P is difficult to replenish. This is due to the high fixing capacity of most soils in Africa and the high cost of inorganic fertilizers. Arbuscular mycorrhiza fungi (AMF), endophytic fungi reputed for their ability to enhance P uptake can be used to alleviate P deficiencies and improve crop productivity. Although the technology has been used in developed countries, it has not been applied in crop production systems in Africa to any significant level. This is due to poor management of indigenous AMF populations, high cost of inoculants and challenges associated with the inoculum production and efficacy. These challenges are discussed in detail in this paper. Possible and practical ways of impacting these challenges are discussed. They include production of inoculum in farmers' fields to reduce transport costs, development of multi-agent inoculants to reduce cost of inoculum and genetic manipulation to improve the quality of the symbionts. Key Words: Arbuscular mycorrhiza fungi, crop production, phosphorus, soil fertility, sub-Saharan Africa Journal of Tropical Microbiology Vol.1(1) 2002: 14-21

Arbuscular mycorrhizal populations associated with natural and cultivated vegetation on a site of Buenos Aires province, Argentina

The influence of tillage and monoculture on arbuscular mycorrhizae (AM) fungal species diversity in a field site of the Buenos Aires province (Argentina) was investigated through the morphological characterization of AM spores. Glomalean spores were isolated by wet sieving and decanting from three plots cropped either to wheat, barley or clover and from a grassland at the margins of the cultivated plots. Seventeen different Glomalean species were detected overall and seven of them were identified. Total species number as well as spore and species richness found in grassland and clover soil were higher than those found in soils planted either with barley or wheat. The most frequently occurring species in the site were Glomus mosseae, Scutellospora pellucida, Glomus sp. 7 and Gigaspora sp. 1. The first three were also the most dominant species and were found in the four types of analysed soils. In grassland soil and wheat, the dominant species was Glomus sp. 6. S. pellucida was dominant in barley, and in red clover the dominant species were G. mosseae and S. pellucida. Tillage and cereal monoculture negatively affected diversity of AM fungal species. Natural re-colonization of indigenous AM fungi was observed in cultivated soil with red clover for 3 years, suggesting that this host could be used as a cover crop to increase AM fungal inocula in disturbed soils. Arbuscular mycorrhizal populations were associated with natural and cultivated vegetation on a site of Buenos Aires province, Argentina.

Arbuscular Mycorrhizae of Leymus arenarius on Coastal Sands and Reclamation Sites in Iceland and Response to Inoculation

AbstractThe occurrence of arbuscular mycorrhizae fungi (AMF) was examined in natural and reclaimed sand dunes in Iceland. On the coastal sand‐plain of Myrdalssandur no spores of AMF were found on barren sand, and very few were found in 1‐ and 5‐year‐old reclamation sites of Leymus arenarius (lymegrass). A significantly higher number of AMF spores and root colonization were found in a 10‐year‐old reclamation site and in a natural old dune system of L. arenarius. AMF spores showed seasonal variation with higher occurrence in the fall than in the spring. On the volcanic island Surtsey, no AMF spores or root colonization were found on L. arenarius in 6‐ and 10‐year‐old dunes. However, AMF spores and root colonization were found in the 22‐year‐old Leymus dune. On Surtsey, a colonization pattern was found where AMF non‐dependent plants were the first colonizers followed by AMF facultative plants, then by AMF‐dependent plants. Today AMF facultative plants have the highest number of species but AMF non‐dependent plants have the largest population size. Three different AMF inocula were tested on L. arenarius; growth of seedlings was improved significantly by an indigenous AMF inoculum compared with commercial inocula. Inoculation of nursery grown seedlings of L. arenarius followed by transplantation into barren sand seeded with L. arenarius is recommended because this method will ensure establishment of the plant and enhance succession.