Mycorrhizal Species Research Articles

Cover crop selection affects maize susceptibility to the fungal pathogen Fusarium verticillioides

In this study, we show the impact of cover crop legacy in soil towards susceptibility of next generation maize to the fungal pathogen Fusarium verticillioides. The use of different plant species as cover crops in organic cropping systems has been shown to provide several ecosystem services. The direct benefits of using leguminous cover crops such as pea or mycorrhizal species such as cereal rye or oats for soil fertility and cash crop yield are well known. However, the impacts of different cover crop species on subsequent cash crop pest suppression is rarely accounted for in agricultural management. Legacy of cover crop species are of importance considering recent findings that plants promoting arbuscular mycorrhizal communities, such as cereal rye and oats as cover crops, can provide increased benefits to successive maize crops against insect pests. In this study, we test whether such benefits might also include resistance against pathogens. We examined progression of rot lesions in ear, stalk and seedling blight by Fusarium verticillioides in maize plants that were grown in soil with a cover crop monoculture history of either winter pea, triticale or radish. This study shows for the first time that soil legacy of mycorrhizal monocot triticale as a cover crop renders maize plants more susceptible to ear rot and seedling blight by Fusarium verticillioides as compared to a soil legacy of radish. This suggests that although soil legacy of radish may be detrimental to management of insects, it is effective in suppressing progression of Fusarium verticillioides in maize. This work demonstrates the significance of cover crop selection to manage fungal pathogens such as Fusarium verticillioides, it further suggests trade-offs in plant resistance to various pests’ taxa at the cover crop species level.

The effect of mycorrhizal species on the growth, essential oils, yield and morpho-physiological parameters of Lemon Balm (Melissa officinalis L.) under water-deficit conditions in Tabriz region

Two years experiment were conducted in 2016-2017 as split-plot based on randomized completely block design with three replications to morpho-physiological responses of Lemon Balm (Melissa officinalis L.) plant to mycorrhizal fungi species treatments (control, Rhizophagus intraradices, Funneliformis mosseae, Glomus hoi and combined application of all three species) under different irrigation regimes (irrigation after 70, 100, 130 and 160 mm evaporation). In results, the highest oil yield was achieved in irrigation at 100mm+application of all three species of mycorrhizal fungi. Irrigation after 100 mm evaporation increased this trait by 33% compared to irrigation after 70 mm evaporation due to increase in essential oil percentage under dehydration conditions, however, increasing drought stress led to a significant decrease in essential oil yield. In terms of physiological parameters, dehydration led to an increase in proline content and antioxidant activates. In general and according to the results, modifying the destructive effects of water deficit stress and the use of mycorrhiza can increase the essential oil of lemon Balm. But aggravating water deficiency conditions can drastically reduce the essential oil yield. The founds could be helpful for herbal medicine researchers to achieve high-quality drugs.

Lallemantia Iberica and Lallemantia Royleana: The Effect of Mycorrhizal Fungal Inoculation on Growth and Mycorrhizal Dependency under Sterile and Non‐sterile Soils

ABSTRACT This study evaluated the effects of mycorrhizal species inoculation on the growth of Lallemantia species. Two pot experiments were performed to determine mycorrhizal species effects on growth, yield, mycorrhizal dependency, root colonization, and seed quality. Under sterile soil conditions, Lallemantia iberica and Lallemantia royleana were inoculated with Funneliformis mosseae, Funneliformis caledonius, Rhizophagus intraradices, Claroideoglomus etunicatum, Claroideoglomus claroideum, Rhizophagus fasciculatus and Diversisporles epigaea. Among mycorrhizal species, Cl. etunicatum (M1), Fu. mosseae (M2) and R. intraradices (M3) were most effective on root colonization on both species of Lallemantia. In the main experiment, for both plant species of Lallemantia, the growth, yield and yield components, seed quality, and mycorrhizal dependency (MD) parameters were studied under non-sterile and sterile soil conditions using three optimal mycorrhizal species (M1), (M2), (M3), and their mixture. Both plant species grown in non-sterile soil grew better than in sterile soil conditions. The integrated application of M1 + M2 + M3 had a better effect on measured parameters of Lallemantia species. Inoculated and non-inoculated L. iberica showed higher growth and produced more yield, thousand grain weight, phosphorus, and oil content. The number of silique in plant, number of seed in plant, mucilage, and MD of inoculated and non-inoculated L. royleana were higher than L. iberica. Generally, our result showed that both species of Lallemantia were mycorrhizal dependent, and soil sterilization led to killing of all indigenous mycorrhizal species, and as a result, it caused to decrease the growth of Lallemantia species.

Phosphorus supply affects seedling growth of mycorrhizal but not cluster-root forming jarrah-forest species

AimsFertiliser is often used to kick-start ecological restoration despite growing evidence of the potentially negative impacts on plant diversity. Jarrah (Eucalyptus marginata) forest species growing on nutrient (especially phosphorus) impoverished soils in southwestern Australia have a suite of adaptations for phosphorus (P) acquisition, including the formation of cluster roots, and associations with mycorrhizal fungi. Here we investigated how escalating P supply, along with a stoichiometric adjustment of nitrogen (N) supply, impacted the growth and nutrition of a wide range of jarrah forest seedlings.MethodsIn a pot experiment, we measured seedling biomass and nutritional responses of 12 jarrah forest species to a gradient of P supply in relation to N supply, and for the mycorrhizal species, inoculation with arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi.ResultsThree cluster-root forming species did not respond to increasing P, probably because they were reliant on seed P. Generally, mycorrhizal species showed a positive biomass response to increasing P when N was available. Mycorrhizas benefited seedling growth at low P (9 mg P added per kg of jarrah forest soil) when N was also available, and were parasitic to seedling growth at high P (243 mg P/ kg soil) without additional N.ConclusionsThese results highlight importance of P and N supply in determining the nature of the symbiosis between plants and mycorrhizal fungi. Since P supply has the potential to reduce plant growth, for a range of species, our results suggest careful consideration of fertiliser amounts for ecological restoration of ecosystems adapted to nutrient poor soils.

Serra de São Mamede Natural Park, a macrofungal diversity hotspot in the Mediterranean region

The Serra de São Mamede Natural Park is a biodiversity hotspot in the broad region of Alentejo, Portugal, where the influence of the Atlantic Ocean allows for the continuity of a Eurosiberian-like forest in the heart of a Mediterranean region. The park is therefore unique among the few protected areas in Portugal. We attempt to describe the macrofungal diversity of the park for the first time. Our results reveal a rich and diverse assembly of macrofungal species (239 taxa), and in particular, mycorrhizal species (145 taxa). Furthermore, 26 taxa are newly recorded from Portugal, while 81 taxa are newly recorded from Alto Alentejo Province. Also, the majority of these newly reported taxa were recorded in mixed stands of Quercus pyrenaica Willd.—a European protected habitat of limited extent—whose importance is enhanced now the rich and diverse associated macrofungal community, as shown in our study.

Evidence of Differences in Covariation Among Root Traits Across Plant Growth Forms, Mycorrhizal Types, and Biomes.

Fine roots play an important role in plant ecological strategies, adaptation to environmental constraints, and ecosystem functions. Covariation among root traits influence the physiological and ecological processes of plants and ecosystems. Root trait covariation in multiple dimensions at the global scale has been broadly discussed. How fine-root traits covary at the regional scale and whether the covariation is generalizable across plant growth forms, mycorrhizal types, and biomes are largely unknown. Here, we collected six key traits – namely root diameter (RD), specific root length (SRL), root tissue density (RTD), root C content (RCC), root N content (RNC), and root C:N ratio (RCN) – of first- and second-order roots of 306 species from 94 sampling sites across China. We examined the covariation in root traits among different plant growth forms, mycorrhizal types, and biomes using the phylogenetic principal component analysis (pPCA). Three independent dimensions of the covariation in root traits were identified, accounting for 39.0, 26.1, and 20.2% of the total variation, respectively. The first dimension was represented by SRL, RNC, RTD, and RCN, which was in line with the root economics spectrum (RES). The second dimension described a negative relationship between RD and SRL, and the third dimension was represented by RCC. These three main principal components were mainly influenced by biome and mycorrhizal type. Herbaceous and ectomycorrhizal species showed a more consistent pattern with the RES, in which RD, RTD, and RCN were negatively correlated with SRL and RNC within the first axis compared with woody and arbuscular mycorrhizal species, respectively. Our results highlight the roles of plant growth form, mycorrhizal type, and biome in shaping root trait covariation, suggesting that root trait relationships in specific regions may not be generalized from global-scale analyses.

Microbial consortia inoculation of woody legume Erythrina brucei increases nodulation and shoot nitrogen and phosphorus under greenhouse conditions

The legume-rhizobium symbiosis provides Nitrogen (N), while Legume-AMF symbiosis improves Phosphorus (P) supply to plants. This research was conducted to evaluate the symbiotic effectiveness of the Bradyrhizobium spp. and consortial inoculation of plant growth promoting bacteria -Bradyrhizobium shewense (AU27) and Acinetobacter soli (AU4), and arbuscular mycorrhizhal fungi Glomus sp.1 (AMF1) and Acaulospora sp.1 (AMF2), on growth, production and shoot N and P content of Erythrina brucei.The bacterial and mycorrhizal species were evaluated for phyto-beneficial properties in the greenhouse as individual as well as consortial inoculation.. All Bradyrhizobium species were effective for symbiotic nitrogen fixation. Consortial inoculations comprising of B. shewense (AU27) + A. soli (AU4) + Glomus sp.1 (AMF1) + Acaulospora sp.1 (AMF2) (T7) increased shoot length and shoot dry weight by 140% and 268%, respectively compared to un-inoculated control. Inoculations that involved B. shewense (AU27) + A. soli (AU4) increased shoot nitrogen by 260%, and 1200% increment of shoot P was recorded with inoculations of B. shewense (AU27) + Glomus sp.1 (AMF1) compared to un-inoculated control. These microbial inputs could be candidates for growth enhancement and shoot nitrogen and phosphorus improvement in Erythrina brucei and also as sustainable and eco-friendly agriculture input.

AMF modulated rhizospheric microbial enzyme activities and their impact on sulphur assimilation along with thiol metabolism in pigeonpea under Cd stress

Presence of cadmium (Cd) in the soil has a negative impact on soil enzymatic activities, which, thus, reduce growth of the inhabiting plant species. Symbiotic association between plants and arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi-AMF have potential to overcome Cd stress. Therefore, the present study investigated the role of different AMF species [Claroideoglomus claroideum-Cc, C. etunicatum-Ce, Funneliformis mosseae-Fm and Rhizoglomus intraradices-Ri] in imparting Cd tolerance to pigeonpea-Cajanus cajan (L.) Millsp. Plants. The experiment was a complete factorial combination of two factors comprising of Cd concentrations (0, 25, 50 mg kg−1) and AMF treatments (Control/Non-AM, Cc, Ce, Fm, Ri) with twelve replicates for each treatment. A negative correlation between Cd concentration and plant growth, along with reactive oxygen species (ROS) build up were recorded. All mycorrhizal species reduced Cd uptake and lowered oxidative burden with maximum benefits provided by + Ri inoculation, followed by + Fm and + Ce, with + Cc the least. These effects could be associated with their relative root colonizing (RC) abilities and glomalin production in the soil. Greater efficiency of Ri than other three species could be related to maximum soil enzymatic activities [urease (URE), phosphatases (PHAs), dehydrogenase (DHase), arylsulfatase (AS)], which, enhanced the bioavailability of nutrients (P, S, N, K) to the plants. Moreover, higher activities of S assimilating enzymes [ATP sulfurylase (ATPS), γ-Glutamylcysteine synthetase (γ-ECS)] led to greater synthesis of thiol compounds [glutathiones (GSH), phytochelatins (PCs), non-protein thiol (NP-SH)] which, further reduced Cd translocation from roots to shoots. The study indicated that pigeonpea was highly responsive to different AMF species, with host-Ri combination displaying the strongest potential to alleviate Cd stress.

Fungal diversity associated with the mycorrhizosphere soil of Brachycorythis conica subsp. transvaalensis, a critically endangered and endemic terrestrial orchid from South Africa

The Albertina Sisulu orchid, Brachycorythis conica subsp. transvaalensis is a critically endangered terrestrial orchid with a single population remaining in the Gauteng Province of South Africa. For the conservation of this endemic orchid, several strategies are being implemented such as protection of habitat, identifying pollinators and in vitro propagation. For symbiotic germination, it is essential to identify the mycorrhizal associates of this orchid using non-destructive sampling. In this study, high-throughput sequencing was used to catalogue and compare the diversity of fungi associated with the mycorrhizosphere of this orchid and non-mycorrhizosphere soils collected from the same coordinates. Bioinformatics and statistical analyses of the data showed that, despite the substantial overlap in the community composition of fungi associated with these two soil types, several exclusive fungal species were identified from the mycorrhizosphere of the orchid. These included an assortment of potential orchid mycorrhizal species from the orders Agaricales, Cantharellales and Sebacinales. This study provides the first insight into the soil fungal diversity associated with the mycorrhizosphere of this critically endangered orchid. In the future, data from this study can be used for optimising conservation measures and isolation of suitable mycorrhizal species required for in vitro symbiotic germination of this orchid.

Guava plants growth and soil microbial respiration in response to Arbuscular mycorrhizal species inoculation under alkaline soil conditions

Guava plants growth and soil microbial respiration in response to Arbuscular mycorrhizal species inoculation under alkaline soil conditions

Do tree species affect decadal changes in soil organic carbon and total nitrogen stocks in Danish common garden experiments?

AbstractTemperate forest soils are often considered as an important sink for atmospheric carbon (C), thereby buffering anthropogenic CO2 emissions. However, the effect of tree species composition on the magnitude of this sink is unclear. We resampled a tree species common garden experiment (six sites) a decade after initial sampling to evaluate whether forest floor (FF) and topsoil organic carbon (Corg) and total nitrogen (Nt) stocks changed in dependence of tree species (Norway spruce—Picea abies L., European beech—Fagus sylvatica L., pedunculate oak—Quercus robur L., sycamore maple—Acer pseudoplatanus L., European ash—Fraxinus excelsior L. and small‐leaved lime—Tilia cordata L.). Two groups of species were identified in terms of Corg and Nt distribution: (1) Spruce with high Corg and Nt stocks in the FF developed as a mor humus layer which tended to have smaller Corg and Nt stocks and a wider Corg:Nt ratio in the mineral topsoil, and (2) the broadleaved species, of which ash and maple distinguished most clearly from spruce by very low Corg and Nt stocks in the FF developed as mull humus layer, had greater Corg and Nt stocks, and narrow Corg:Nt ratios in the mineral topsoil. Over 11 years, FF Corg and Nt stocks increased most under spruce, while small decreases in bulk mineral soil (esp. in 0–15 cm and 0–30 cm depth) Corg and Nt stocks dominated irrespective of species. Observed decadal changes were associated with site‐related and tree species‐mediated soil properties in a way that hinted towards short‐term accumulation and mineralisation dynamics of easily available organic substances. We found no indication for Corg stabilisation. However, results indicated increasing Nt stabilisation with increasing biomass of burrowing earthworms, which were highest under ash, lime and maple and lowest under spruce.Highlights We studied if tree species differences in topsoil Corg and Nt stocks substantiate after a decade. The study is unique in its repeated soil sampling in a multisite common garden experiment. Forest floors increased under spruce, but topsoil stocks decreased irrespective of species. Changes were of short‐term nature. Nitrogen was most stable under arbuscular mycorrhizal species.

Effect of mycorrhizal fungi in combination with botanicals, fungicides and bio-agents in ameliorating Fusarium wilt management in chickpea (Cicer arietinum)

Fusarium wilt incited by Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. ciceris causes substantial economic losses in chickpea. Tostudy the effect of mycorrhizal inoculation in combination with different bio-agents, fungicides and botanicals onthe Fusarium wilt incidence and yield of chickpea, field trials were conducted during 2019–20 at the research field ofCCS Haryana Agricultural University, Hisar. Mycorrhizal fungi were found to be beneficial in alleviating chickpeawilt incidence and upsurging the yield components of chickpea. The mycorrhizal fungus Glomus mosseae performed better than Glomus hoi, evincing the importance of mycorrhizal species. Seed soaking provided more disease control in comparison to soil drenching of plant extracts, bio-agents and fungicides except azoxystrobin 23% SC in variety JG 62 in which mode of application of fungicide had no significant effect on disease incidence. Amongst mycorrhiza × treatment interaction, carbendazim 50% WP provided utmost disease control (>80%) in the soil pre-inoculated with G. mosseae and Glomus hoi, followed by azoxystrobin 23% SC and Trichoderma viride, while aqueous extract of datura leaves was the least effective in both chickpea varieties JG 62 and C 235.

INTERPLAY BETWEEN ARBUSCULAR MYCORRHIZAL FUNGI AND POULTRY MANURE ON GROWTH AND YIELD OF SOYBEAN (GLYCINE MAX (L) MERILL) UNDER SCREENHOUSE CONDITIONS

A pot experiment was carried out at the University of Ibadan, Oyo State Nigeria using the Completely randomize design to study the growth of soybean (Glycine max L.) as affected by mycorrhizal species and poultry manure interplay under screenhouse conditions. The treatments include five levels of mycorrhizal inoculum, and two levels of poultry manure. Data collected include plant height, number of leaves, number of branches, leaf area and biomass yield. Analysis of variance was carried out on all data and means were separated using the Duncan’s multiple range test at p < 0.05. Glomus gigaspora with 12.5g poultry manure, Glomus gigaspora with sole 6.25g poultry manure significantly enhanced the growth of soybean. Fresh and dry biomass of soybean were also significantly enhanced by Glomus deserticola with 12.5g poultry manure. Number of seeds / pot and grain yield/pot were significantly enhanced when compared with the control. Mycorrhizal spore count in the soil at harvest were significantly different with highest spore observed under Glomus clarum and the least under control. This study conclude that mycorrhizal species-poultry manure combination vary in their effect on the growth and yield of soybean.

Diversity of vam in soils used to cultivate sugarcane (Saccharum spp.) in Tabasco, Mexico

E Objective: A study was carried out in the Ingenio Santa Rosalía sugar mill supply area with the aim of identifying the soil subunits cultivated with sugar cane and to quantify the degree of mycorrhization of Saccharum officinarum. Design/Methodology/Approach: Rhizosphere samples were collected at a depth of 0-30 cm and root segments with diameters of ≤ 1 mm and 1-2.0 mm were studied. The intersect method and the fungal structures method were comparatively analyzed to determine the mycotrophic state of the roots. The study also quantified the number of spores in the soils and classified the morpho-species of vesicular-arbuscular mycorrhiza (VAM). Results: The results show that seven soil subunits exist in the area, but the intersect method did not detect differences in colonization by root diameter or by root colonization ( = 68.5%). For its part, the fungal structures method showed differences in colonization between soil subunits ( = 69.5%), being higher in thin roots, and statistical differences wer found for vesicles and spores. At the sites, an average of 696 spores was quantified per 100 g of soil, which indicates a high presence of vesicular-arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi in the study area. Finally, six species of mycorrhizae were identified, of which four are present in various soil subunits: Glomus aff. deserticola, Glomus etunicatum, Glomus viscosum, and Paraglomus occultum. Study Limitations/Implications: This was an exploratory study that indicates the potential of VAM. Findings/Conclusions: The presence of hyphae, vesicles, arbuscules, and spores indicates that there is an active mycotrophic process between VAM and sugarcane cultivation in the soils of the study area.

PROVISION OF MICRORHIZA FUNGI AGAINST SALINE STRESS IN CHILI PLANTS

This experiment was a factorial randomized block design (RAK). The screen house used was the screen house of the experimental garden of the Faculty of Agricultural and Animal Sciences, Indonesian National Islamic University. The land was taken from the coast of Kuala Kab. Bireuen, Aceh. Soil was taken from the top soil layer with a depth of 0-25 cm. Mycorrhizae were placed in planting holes around the root area at a depth of 2-3 cm according to the treatment per plant before the seeds were planted in polybags. Then the planting hole that has been given mycorrhizae is covered again with soil. Mycorrhizal application was carried out once at the time of seed planting. Harvesting can be done by picking the fruit and its stalk. The analysis was carried out to determine the level of ability of mycorrhizal species to help plants in the absorption of P nutrients to maximize chili plant production, the effect of chili varieties had a significant effect on root infection at 45 DAP, a very significant effect on stem diameter at 15 DAP, wet root weight, number of fruit planted, dry weight. fruit, had a significant effect on plant height at 15 DAP, stem diameter at 30 DAP and fruit weight at planting, but had no significant effect on plant height at 30 and 45 DAP, stem diameter at 45 DAP, number of leaves at 15, 30 and 45 DAP, weight dry root, root wet weight, root dry weight, root length, number of productive branches 45 DAP. The results showed that the variety had a very significant effect on the growth of chili plants. The best variety was found in the Lado variety in the vegetative phase which could be seen from the variables of plant height 15 and 30 DAP, stem diameter at 15 and 30 DAP, number of leaves at 15, 30 and 45 DAP. While the generative phase of the best variety was found in the PM 999 variety which could be seen in the variables Number of fruit, fruit weight, dry weight, root wet weight and root length.

Tree species composition and soil properties in pure and mixed beech-conifer stands drive soil fungal communities

Soil fungi, especially the functional guilds of saprotrophs and symbiotrophs, play a central role in ecosystem processes such as decomposition and plant nutrient acquisition. Fungal communities are influenced by soil properties and management strategies such as tree species selection. Yet, the implications of the enrichment of temperate forests consisting of tree species in their native range with non-native tree species on soil fungal diversity and their functional groups are unknown. Here, we studied fungal communities in 40 plots (2500 m2 size per plot) located in two regions differing in site conditions (nutrient content, soil moisture and climate) in forests composed of European beech, spruce and Douglas-fir (non-native) and mixtures of beech with either spruce or Douglas-fir. We hypothesized that fungal community structures are driven by soil properties and tree species composition, generally resulting in higher fungal diversity in mixed than in mono-specific forests. We further hypothesized that Douglas-fir has a negative effect on ectomycorrhizal fungal species richness compared to native species, whereas saprotrophic fungal richness is unaffected. Fungal DNA barcoding and dissimilarity analyses showed significant separation of fungal communities between nutrient-rich and nutrient-poor regions and among forest types. Mycorrhizal species richness did not vary with forest type, but the relative abundance of mycorrhizal species was lower in Douglas-fir and mixed beech-Douglas-fir forests than in spruce or beech-spruce mixture forests. Conifer forests contained higher relative abundances of saprotrophic fungi than mono-specific beech forests. Among 16 abundant fungal orders in the soil, two containing saprotrophic fungi (Tremellales and Hymenochaetales) were enriched in conifer forests, regardless of site conditions and tree species mixture. The other fungal orders, including those dominated by mycorrhizal fungi (Russulales, Boletales, Atheliales and Cantharellales) showed variable patterns depending on site conditions and tree species. Our results show the impact of tree species composition and soil properties on soil fungi. The response of fungal guilds and taxa to forest types and soil properties can potentially influence nutrient fluxes.

Mycorrhizal symbiosis and phosphorus supply determine interactions among plants with contrasting nutrient‐acquisition strategies

Abstract Highly diverse plant communities growing on nutrient‐impoverished soils are test beds for theories on species coexistence. Here, neighbouring mycorrhizal and non‐mycorrhizal plants compete for limited phosphorus. The impact of below‐ground interactions on community dynamics is underexplored. We used an experimental approach to investigate effects of inoculation with arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi and a phosphorus supply gradient on competitive and facilitative interactions among mixed assemblages of woody plants in microcosms. The plant species, one cluster root‐forming (CR) species and four AM species, are native to jarrah forest that grows on nutrient‐impoverished soils in south‐western Australia. We measured plant growth in microcosms, with and without inoculation with the AM fungus Rhizophagus irregularis, and across a gradient of P supply: 0, 9, 27 and 243 mg P per kg of soil. Our data show evidence of plant–plant facilitation at low P supply and competition at high P supply. Growth of the CR species, Hakea undulata, was highest in microcosms with 0P and without AM inoculation. One AM species, Bossiaea aquifolium, also performed better at lower P levels, possibly benefitting from P mobilised by H. undulata. The other three AM species, one strongly obligates, performed better at higher P levels. Data for Acacia celastrifolia suggested it was facultatively mycotropic, and because there was no correlation between AM colonisation and the relative inoculum effect, we suggest positive effects of AM inoculation at 9P might be due to benefits other than P acquisition, such as pathogen defence. Benefit of AM inoculation diminished for three of four mycorrhizal species at the highest P level as we had predicted. The fourth species, Eucalyptus marginata (jarrah), had higher growth in microcosms that were not inoculated with AM, perhaps because the species benefits more from ectomycorrhizas. Synthesis. Our experimental data suggest spatial heterogeneity of soil P, coupled with a diversity of nutrient‐acquisition strategies, and plasticity among plant–plant and plant–AM fungi interactions, contributes to plant species coexistence in the nutrient‐impoverished jarrah forest. Our research highlights the importance of below‐ground mechanisms for understanding factors determining community structure including a potential role of AM fungi in plant pathogen defence.

Pengaruh Inokulasi Glomus mosseae terhadap Pertumbuhan dan Aktivitas Antioksidan pada Artemisia cina Berg ex Poljakov

Artemisia cina is a wild herbaceous plant that has secondary metabolites as a source of antioxidants. The addition of mycorrhizal species Glomus mosseae can increase the antioxidant activity of plants Artemisia cina. This study aims to determine the effect of mycorrhizal Glomus mosseae on the growth and content of antioxidant compounds in Artemisia cina. The study used a completely randomized design (CRD), with four levels of treatment, namely: media without G. mosseae (control), media with G. mosseae 5,10 and 15 g with 5 replications for each treatment. Parameters observed were plant height, number of leaves, 5th leaf length and width, wet and dry weight, root length, percentage of mycorrhizal colonization, chlorophyll content, carotenoids, flavonoids, phenols were also observed. Antioxidant activity was determined by the DPPH method. The results showed that the treatment Glomus mosseae with a dose of 15 g was significantly different from the control on plant growth parameters, number of leaves, root length, wet weight and dry weight of plants, and percentage of mycorrhizal colonization in plants. Treatment of Glomus mosseae 15 g on the test results of antioxidant compounds also showed the highest content of chlorophyll, carotenoids, phenols and flavonoids from the statistical test results found in the 15 g treatment, respectively, namely 6,405 g/ml; 0.766 g/ml; 70.9 g/ml; and 335 g/ml had a significant difference to the control treatment. While the results of the antioxidant activity test using the DPPH method showed that the control treatment had the highest antioxidant activity with an ICvalue50 of 9,494 g/ml. The results showed that the mycorrhizal species of G. mosseae increased the growth and content of antioxidant compounds inplants A. cina.

A quick glance at noteworthy articles for September 2021

A quick glance at noteworthy articles for September 2021

Manipulation of the soil microbiome regulates the colonization of plants by arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi.

Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) are important symbionts of many plant species, facilitating the acquisition of soil nutrients by roots. We hypothesized that AMF root colonization is strongly influenced by the composition of the soil microbiome. Here, we evaluated mycorrhizal colonization of two plants, the grass Urochloa brizantha (Brachiaria) and the legume Crotalaria juncea (Crotalaria). These were cultivated in the same soil but hosting eight distinct microbiomes: natural soil (i); soil exposed to heat treatments for 1h at 50 ºC (ii), 80 ºC (iii), or 100 ºC (iv); sterilized soil by autoclaving (AS) followed by re-inoculation of dilutions of the natural soil community at 10-1 (v), 10-3 (vi), and 10-6 (vii); and AS without re-inoculation (viii). Microbial diversity (bacteria and fungi) was assessed through 16S rDNA and ITS1 metabarcoding, respectively, and the soil acid phosphatase activity (APASE) was measured. Sequencing results showed the formation of distinct microbial communities according to the soil manipulations, which also correlated with the decline of APASE. Subsequently, seedlings of Brachiaria and Crotalaria were grown in those soils inoculated separately with three AMF (Acaulospora colombiana, Rhizophagus clarus, and Dentiscutata heterogama) which were compared to an AMF-free control treatment. Brachiaria showed higher colonization in natural soil when compared to the microbial community manipulations, regardless of the AMF species inoculated. In contrast, two mycorrhiza species were able to colonize Crotalaria under modified microbial communities at similar rates to natural soil. Furthermore, Brachiaria showed a possible inverse relationship between APASE and mycorrhization, but this trend was absent for Crotalaria. We conclude that mycorrhizal root colonization and soil acid phosphatase activity were associated with the structure of the soil microbiome, depending on the plant species evaluated.