Vesicular-arbuscular Mycorrhiza Fungi Research Articles

Impact of Jeevamrut formulations and biofertilizers on soil microbial and chemical attributes during potato cultivation

Application of jeevamrut, fortified with neem cake or vermitea, in combination with consortia of plant growth-promoting microorganisms such as Azotobacter, Vesicular Arbuscular Mycorrhiza (VAM) or Phosphate Solubilizing Bacteria (PSB) would attenuate the negative effects of synthetic fertilizers over microbial and physicochemical properties of soil. The present study was carried out during 2021–2022 and 2022-23 with two factors, namely Factor-J (Jeevamrut) of 4 levels and Factor-B (Biofertilizers) of 5 levels. Four levels of factor-J include three jeevamrut formulations with one control while five levels of factor-B include four biofertilizer combinations with one control. Observations of various soil-based parameters confirm a significant reduction in soil pH and electrical conductivity of soil after harvesting potato crops (variety Kufri Bahar) under different treatments in comparison to controls and the initial value. Further, the organic carbon, available nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium of soil were reported to be enhanced after the application of jeevamrut fortified with vermitea or neem cake. The efficacy of fortified jeevamrut can be further improved by adding a consortia of biofertilizers consisting of PSB and Azotobactor or VAM fungi. These treatments have also a significant effect on enhancing soil microbial activities.

Función de los hongos micorrícicos y las bacterias solubilizadoras de fosfatos en la absorción de elementos esenciales y metálicos en las plantas en suelos contaminado con metales pesados

The objective of this study was to compare the effect of different types of inoculants (control, vesicular arbuscular mycorrhizae fungi [VAMF], phosphate-solubilizing bacteria [PSB], and co-inoculant [VAMF-PSB]) on root colonization, plant growth, macronutrient (P and N) uptake, and metal element uptake under heavy metal-contaminated soil conditions. Three species of vegetable plants, namely tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L. cv. Ratna), red chili (Capsicum annuum L. cv. Gada), and hot chili (Capsicum frutescens L. cv. Pusaka Brengolo), were grown in heavy metal (Zn, Ca, Ni and Cd) –contaminated soil for eight weeks. Plants co-inoculated with VAMF-PSB showed significantly higher root colonization by VAMF as well as P and N concentrations in shoot and root than plants inoculated with only VAMF or PSB; consequently, the plant biomass also increased. In heavy metal-contaminated soil, VAMF colonization and PSB application could significantly improve the essential metal concentration (Cu and Zn) in the shoot, although there were no significant effects on the roots. On the contrary, co-inoculation with VAMF-PSB could significantly decrease Cd and Ni concentrations in the shoot, although Cd and Ni concentrations did not show a significant difference in the root. The concentrations of Cu, Zn, Cd, and Ni were higher in the roots than in the shoots of the three plant species tested. The type of inoculant used in this study selectively discriminated between plant essential (Cu, Zn) and non-essential elements (Cd, Ni).

Enhancing Cut Flower Production through Vesicular Arbuscular Mycorrhiza (VAM) Symbiosis

Cut flower production is a significant segment of the horticultural industry, valued for its aesthetic appeal and economic importance. As growers seek sustainable and eco-friendly practices to improve flower quality and yield, the role of Vesicular Arbuscular Mycorrhiza (VAM) in enhancing cut flower production has gained considerable attention. VAM fungi form mutualistic associations with the roots of many flowering plants, facilitating nutrient uptake and promoting overall plant health. This communication highlights recent research demonstrating the potential of VAM symbiosis to revolutionize cut flower cultivation.

Inoculation with mycorrhiza and Azotobacter chroococcum affects the quantitative and qualitative characteristics of Eryngium caeruleum at different planting densities

Eryngium caeruleum is a perennial native plant that grows under diverse climatic conditions of Iran. This study aimed to investigate the effect of mycorrhizal and Azotobacter inoculation on the quantitative and qualitative characteristics of E. caeruleum at various planting densities. Factors included three levels of plant density (10×30 cm, 20×30 cm, and 30×30 cm), two levels of seed inoculation with Vesicular-Arbuscular Mycorrhiza (VAM) fungi (inoculation with Glomus mosseae and without inoculation), and two levels of seed inoculation with Azotobacter chroococcum (with and without inoculation). The application of VAM fungi and A. chrooroccum significantly affected the measured traits. The interaction effect of plant density×mycorrhizal application and plant density×Azotobacter application on dry leaf weight was significant at a 1% level. The total leaf dry weight for the VAM treatments at a 30×30 cm plant density was 2.93 g. Also, the application of mycorrhizal fungus increased the essential oil percentage, the essential oil yield, and phosphorus concentration in the aerial organs by 132.68%, 100%, and 137.5%, respectively, compared to the control treatment. The simultaneous application of A. chroococcum and VAM improved the quantity and quality of the yield components of E. caeruleum by increasing the availability of mineral nutrients

Impact and Potentials of Vesicular-Arbuscular Mycorrhizae (VAM) Fungi in Plant Nutrient and Growth: A Sustainable Approach

VAM fungi play a vital role in improving the nutrient quality in the plants, increasing the plants’ growth, helping protect plants against the pathogen, and helps in protecting them from salinity and drought. Their functions range from stress reduction to bioremediation in heavy metal-polluted soils. The current review paper focuses on heavy metal absorption, accumulation, and the role of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi in alleviating heavy metal stress in plants. Arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi are important soil microbial resources that assist host plants in dealing with a variety of abiotic stresses. It gives up-to-date information about AMF responses to abiotic stress. The significance of mycorrhiza against pathogenic populations is well documented, and the advantages of these relationships have been proven to minimize root system vulnerabilities by minimizing abiotic stresses, as well as boosting plant variety's ecological fitness in the soil environment. This review paper represents lipids as essential nutrients for AMF. This paper gives an overview of AM fungi's potential as bio-protection agents against soil-borne diseases and discuss about Modes of mycorrhizae-mediated disease control. The present review included reducing the impacts of biotic and abiotic stress through AMF, the mechanisms of AMF to improve the host plant’s capacity to endure stress, and the strategies employed by AM fungus to support plant” survival in stressful conditions.

Biodiversity of Vesicular-Arbuscular Mycorrhiza in the rhizosphere of some medicinal plants of Kurukshetra University

The Vesicular-Arbuscular Mycorrhiza (VAM) plays an integral role in agricultural sustainability by increasing the growth and productivity of plants. During the present study, the diversity of VAM fungi was studied in the rhizosphere of 17 medicinal plant species and the parameters, percent root colonization, spore number and diversity of VAM spores associated with the rhizosphere of medicinal plants were calculated. All the selected species were found to be mycorrhizal with varying degrees of species richness. A total of 62 morphotypes belonging to 4 genera, Glomus, Acaulospora, Sclerocystis and Gigaspora were found along with 2 unidentified genera. The spore number varied from 28.6 ± 9.864 to 326 ± 78.747 spores per 50g of soil. Percent root colonization ranged from 16.6% to 84.3% with maximum colonization in Barleria cristata L. and minimum colonization in Annona squamosa L. The genus Glomus was dominant with 32 species followed by Acaulospora (12), Gigaspora (9) and Sclerocystis (8).

Soybean Plants Treated with Vesicular Arbuscular Mycorrhiza Fungi Exhibit Enhanced Plant Growth and Nutraceutically Important Metabolites

Soybean Plants Treated with Vesicular Arbuscular Mycorrhiza Fungi Exhibit Enhanced Plant Growth and Nutraceutically Important Metabolites

PENINGKATAN PRODUKSI DAN KECERNAAN BAHAN KERING Centrosema pubescens DAN Pueraria phaseoloides OLEH PEMUPUKAN BATUAN FOSFAT DAN INOKULASI MVA

Centrosem a pubescens (centro) and Pueraria phaseoloides (puero) are important forage legumes as protein and mineral sources for ruminant livestock in the tropics. However, most of the land that used for forage production is characterized by a low phosphorus content. As the high cost of superphosphate is a major limiting factor, a combination of rock phosphate (RP) fertilization and vesicular-arbuscular mycorrhizae (VAM) fungi inoculation maybe a promising technique. A field experiment was conducted in Bogor during 7 months, on a latosolic soil (low pH and low available Bray II extractable P) to evaluate the effects of RP fertilization and VAM inoculation and their interaction on dry matter (DM) production and in vitro dry matter digestibility. A completely randomized block design with 3 replicates was used . The main experiment consisted therein the combination of three factors as follows 1) legume species (centro, puero), 2) VAM inoculation (with, and without VAM inoculation), and 3) rock phosphate fertilization (0, 44, 87, 131, and 175 kg P ha-1). The period of defoliation was used as sub factor (defoliation I, II, and III). Results showed that DM production and DM digestibility of puero was significantly higher (P 0.05) with or without VAM inoculation. When inoculated, rock phosphate fertilization increased DM production of legume. Success of VAM inoculation in the field affected by effectiveness of indigenous- VAM fungi or depending upon VAM inoculum potential.

An Important Role of Carotenoids in Protection of Photosynthetic Apparatus under VAM Inoculation on Momordica charantia

The effect of mixed inoculums of VAM (Vesicular Arbuscular Mycorrhizas) fungi on seed growth and photosynthetic apparatus in green house was monitored. The plants were watered daily with tap water. Plants were cultivated in natural environment in mid of March (2011). A direct relation between root length and water contents suggests a defense mechanism of MP (microrihzal plants) against the fungal stress. It was also supported by the fact that the leaf area of MP was much greater as compared to the NMP (non microrihzal plants) with elevated concentration of all chlorophyllus pigments in 30 days. An increase in the surface area of the leaf and concentration of the pigments, may be for an acceleration in absorption of CO₂ for reduction of it into glucose through oxidation of water molecule. The non-significant decline in glucose contents support the above hypothesis of rapid redox reaction mechanism which was established to overcome the stress. The positive effects of mycorrhizal which were already mentioned in the literature were reported in this article in relations of survival strategies of the plant, adapted in stress conditions. An increase in the chlorophyll contents (30 d) and leaf area of plants possibly attributed with absorption of solar radiation for the protection of plants. It was also supported by the higher concentration of carotenoids (30 d) that may have an additional function of regulation of certain developmental responses and screening of light to save the plants from stress conditions.

VAM Fungi Spore Populations in Different Farming Situations and Their Effect on Productivity and Nutrient Dynamics in Maize and Soybean in Himalayan Acid Alfisol

To assess the effect of five vesicular arbuscular mycorrhizae (VAM) isolates of Glomus mosseae screened out from different farming situations, two pot experiments were conducted on maize and soybean in a phosphorus (P)–deficient Himalayan acid Alfisol. There was variation in VAM spore populations of Glomus mosseae isolates screened out from maize harvested fields, soybean fields, vegetable fields, tea orchard, and citrus orchard. Glomus mosseae isolate from vegetable-based cropping system exhibited maximum root colonization at flowering in maize (32%) and soybean (28%), followed by Glomus mosseae isolate from soybean fields, and exhibited the lowest in Glomus mosseae isolate from tea farm. Glomus mosseae isolate from vegetable-dominated fields was at par with Glomus mosseae isolate from soybean-based cropping system, again resulting in significantly high root biomass, nitrogen (N)–P–potassium (K) uptake, and grain and straw productivity both in maize and soybean crops besides the greatest Rhizobium root nodule biomass in soybean. There was a considerable reduction in soil fertility with respect to NPK status over initial status in pot soils inoculated with Glomus mosseae isolate from vegetable-dominated ecosystem, thereby indicating greater nutrient dynamics by this efficient VAM strain in the plant–soil system and greater productivity in a P-deficient acidic Alfisol. Overall, VAM isolates from different cropping systems and farming situations with variable size and composition of VAM mycoflora resulted in differential effects on growth, productivity, and nutrient dynamics in field crops. Overall, Glomus mosseae isolates from vegetable and soybean fields proved to be superiormost in terms of root colonization, growth, and crop productivity as well as nutrient dynamics in above study. Thus, isolation, identification, and selection of efficient VAM strains may prove as a boon in low-input intensive agriculture in P-deficient Himalayan acidic Alfisol.

Effects of Vesicular Arbuscular Mycorrhizae and Applied Phosphorus through Targeted Yield Precision Model on Root Morphology, Productivity, and Nutrient Dynamics in Soybean in an Acid Alfisol

A field experiment was conducted in a phosphorus (P)–deficient acidic Alfisol in northwestern Himalayas to study the effect of three vesicular arbuscular mycorrhizae (VAM) cultures [VAML, local VAM culture (Glomus mosseae) developed by CSK Himachal Pradesh Agricultural University, Palampur, India; VAMT, VAM culture (Glomus intraradices) developed by Centre for Mycorrhizal Research, The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI), New Delhi, India; and VAMI, VAM culture (Glomus mosseae) developed by Indian Agricultural Research Institute (IARI), New Delhi, India] on growth, productivity, and nutrient dynamics in rainfed soybean. Plant height, aboveground dry matter, root dry matter, total dry matter, root length, root weight density, Rhizobium root nodule count, root colonization, yield attributes, yield, and nutrient uptake of soybean increased consistently and significantly with increase in inorganic P levels from 25 to 75% of recommended P2O5 dose based on targeted yield precision model coupled with various VAM cultures. VAMT (Glomus intraradices) at each P level showed its superiority over VAMI and VAML. Sole application of any of the three VAM cultures produced similar growth and development parameters as well as grain yield (18.68 to 19.08 q ha−1) as produced through farmers’ practice (nitrogen at 20 kg ha−1), indicating that VAM has a vital role in root morphology and nutrient dynamics in a soil–plant system, though significantly greater productivity was obtained with 100% of the recommended P2O5 dose based on soil-test crop response (STCR) precision model without VAM inoculation. Targeted grain yield of soybean (25 q ha−1) was achievable with 75% of the recommended P2O5 dose applied with any of the three VAM fungi cultures without impairing soil fertility, thereby indicating that VAM fungi can save about 25% P fertilizer in soybean in P-deficient acidic Alfisols of northwestern Himalayas.

Vescular Arbuscular Mycorrhiza Diversity and Morphotypes, from Different Land Use of the Serengeti National Park, Tanzania

Vesicular Arbuscular Mycorrhiza (VAM) are members of the kingdom fungi that constitute an important part of the savannah ecosystem of Serengeti National Park (SNP). Three different land use types; indigenous woodland, natural grasslands with different degree of protection based on whether they are found outside or inside the park, and cropland were explored for the presence of VAM fungi. A cross relationship of the land use effect to the VAM morphotypes, diversity and abundance as well as soil chemical properties were evaluated. Roots of 80 plant species belonging to 20 genera were examined. Morphological characterization of the VAM morphotypes and diversity were observed using the light microscope after root staining with Trypan blue in 0.05% w/v lactoglycerol preceded by fixation, tissue clearing, rinsing, bleaching and acidification. The results show that the dominant groups of VAM identified belong to Scutellospora, Glomus, Acaulospora, and Gigaspora genera. Species in the genus Scutellospora were dominant followed by species in Glomus and Acaulospora while the least were from Gigaspora. This difference in species dominance may be due to differences in soil parameters such as soil pH which ranged from 5.59-7.49 in different land use types. With respect to the morphotypes, the examined VAM fungi in SNP were found to exhibit two main morphotypes; the Arum and Paris type. Generally the Arum morphotype was dominant comprising of (57%) followed by the Paris that constituted 40% while the undifferentiated morphotype constituted 3%. Noticeably, the Paris-type was more appropriate for slow growing plants dominating in the grassland with scarce and less vegetation while the Arum were dominant in the woodland constituting the fast growing vegetation.This shows that Arum-type are very important to the fast growing forest and may be useful in reforestation compared to the Paris morphotype.

Fertilizer Economy through Vesicular Arbuscular Mycorrhizae Fungi under Soil-Test Crop Response Targeted Yield Model in Maize–Wheat–Maize Crop Sequence in Himalayan Acid Alfisol

The effect of three vesicular arbuscular mycorrhizae (VAM) cultures with or without inorganic phosphorus (P) was studied in a maize–wheat–maize crop sequence in a P-deficient acidic Alfisol. Application of these three VAM cultures (Glomus mosseae, developed by CSK Himachal Pradesh Agricultural University, Palampur; Glomus intraradices, developed by the Energy and Resources Institute, New Delhi; and Glomus mosseae, developed by the Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi) alone or with 25% to 75% of recommended P2O5 dose based on soil-test crop response (STCR) precision model along with 100% of recommended nitrogen (N) and potassium (K) caused significantly greater grain and straw yield, NPK uptake, and soil nutrient buildup over the control and also increased crop yield and NPK uptake consistently and significantly with increases in applied P from 25% to 75% P2O5 dose. Results implied that application of either of the three VAM cultures with 75% P2O5 dose can economize the yield-targeted fertilizer P dose to the extent of about one fourth of the P requirement in maize–wheat–maize crop sequence without impairing yield targets and soil fertility in a P-deficient acidic alfisol.

Effects of vesicular-arbuscular mycorrhiza on the protective system in strawberry leaves under drought stress

Vesicular-arbuscular mycorrhiza (VAM) plays a very important role in improving plant drought resistance abilities. A pot experiment was conducted during the 2008–2009 strawberry growing season in the greenhouse at Baoding, Hebei Province, China, aiming at exploring the influence of VAM on the drought tolerance of strawberry and elucidating the interaction mechanism. Three treatments were designed in our study, including routine water supply treatment (CK-WW), drought stress treatment with VAM fungi (GM-DS), and drought stress treatment without VAM fungi (CK-DS). Four indicators of each treatment were measured, respectively, including protective enzyme activity, pigment content, plasma membrane, and osmoregulation. The results showed that the treatment inoculated VAM fungi can increase the protective enzyme activity, osmoregulation, and antioxidant capacity membranaceous, especially the activity of catalase (CAT) and ascorbate peroxidase (APX). Inoculating strawberry plants with VAM fungi under drought stress could also lead to increasing the content of leaf pigment, accelerating the accumulation of free praline and soluble protein, improving the transport speed of soluble sugar, restraining the decomposition of chlorophyll, decreasing the malondialdehyde content and plasma membrane conductivity, and improving the H+-ATPase activity.

English

  Vesicular-arbuscular mycorrhiza fungi are  associated with the majority ot the terrestrial plants. Their function ranges from stress alleviation to bioremediation in soils polluted with heavy metals. However, our knowlwdge about this symbiosis is still limited. For the semi-arid tropics, where some african countries are located, there is a great possibility of using mycorrhizas as a biological tool for sustainable agriculture. This review gives an overview on the mycorrhizal benefits and recomends some management practices for the semi-arid Africa conditions.   Key words: Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi, endomycorrhizas, soil fungi, symbiosis, vesicular arbuscular mycorrhiza.  

Effect of vesicular arbuscular mycorrhizae and phosphate- solubilizing bacteria on growth, yield and phosphorus uptake by wheat (%ticum aestivum) and chickpea (Cicer arietinum)

A field experiment was conducted during 1997-98 and 1998-99 to study the effect of vesicular arbuscular mycorrhizae (VAM) and phosphate-solubilizing bacteria (PSB) on growth, yield and phosphorus uptake by wheat (Triticum aestivum L. emend. Fiori & Paol.) and chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.). Application of phosphorus did exhibit perceptible influence on yield of the crops. Both biofertilizer and phosphorus nutrition interaction showed significant influence on growth and phosphorus uptake by wheat and chickpea compared with either of the components applied separately. Among the biofertilizers, Pseudomonas striata registered the highest grain yield in both crops at both levels of phosphorus, closely followed by Glomus fasciculatum. Among the VAM fungi, Glomus fasciculatum had positive influence on yield and phosphorus uptake whereas it was lacking in Glomus macrocarpum.

Investigation on host plants of vesicular arbuscular mycorrhiza fungi (VAMF) wi thin weed communities in agricultural slope land in the red soil area of southea stern Chi na

An investigation on weed species biodiversity and host plants of vesicular arbuscular mycorrhiza fungi (VAMF) within weed communities in new developed fruit gardens was conducted. Phosphorus content in various weed rhizospheric soils was analysed. There were 96 species belonging to 27 families in the weed community,among which 39 species were tested to identify VAMF colonies. It was found that all the species tested were colonized by VAMF, but the percentage of colonization and the colonizing intensity were very different among the families and species. Correlation analyses showed that no significant correlation exists between phosphorus content in rhizospheric soil and VAMF colonization. VAMF colonization mainly depends on the characteristics of host plants and the selection of VAMF. This suggests that conservation of weed diversity in upland ecosystems will be favorable for conserving VAMF activities and diversity.

Effects of ectomycorrhizas and vesicular–arbuscular mycorrhizas, alone or in competition, on root colonization and growth of Eucalyptus globulus and E. urophylla

Eucalyptus species are considered to have ectomycorrhizas (ECM), but many also have vesicular–arbuscular mycorrhizas (VAM) and their relative importance is unclear. Interactions between ECM and VAM fungi colonizing roots of Eucalyptus species were examined in a glasshouse experiment. This experiment investigated competition between these two types of fungi and compared benefits provided to Eucalyptus globulus and E. urophylla. Eucalyptus seedlings were inoculated with spores of the ECM fungus Laccaria lateritia and/or pot‐ culture soil for a VAM fungus (species of Glomus, Acaulospora or Scutellospora). Initial inoculum levels were important, as VAM fungi became established much more rapidly than Laccaria. In plants with both types of mycorrhizas, Laccaria mycorrhizas substantially increased after 2 or 3 months and the proportion of roots with VAM declined. However, the proportion of roots with VAM also decreased significantly in plants without ECM after 2 months. Thus, the relative susceptibility of eucalypt roots to these mycorrhizal associations changed. Substantial growth responses to mycorrhizal inoculation occurred when a low concentration of phosphorus fertilization was used (5 mg kg−1), but not at a higher concentration (10 mg kg−1). Treatments where Laccaria was applied, alone or in combination with a VAM fungus, resulted in the largest growth increases relative to nonmycorrhizal plants. An Acaulospora isolate was the most effective VAM fungus for E. urophylla although other VAM fungi also increased growth relative to the control. VAM fungi alone had little effect on E. globulus growth, but plants inoculated with both ECM and VAM fungi were larger than plants only inoculated with Laccaria. ECM fungi had a major impact on root system form by reducing the proportion of fine roots (specific root length) relative to nonmycorrhizal plants or those with VAM. Changes in root colonization patterns over time must be considered in studies of ECM/VAM interactions, as there can be substantial changes in the relative importance of the two associations.

Uptake of fertilizer sulfur by maize from soils of low sulfur status as affected by vesicular-arbuscular mycorrhizae

Vesicular-arbuscular mycorrhizae (VAM) generally enhances uptake and translocation of P and encourages plant growth and development in nutrient-deficient soils. Contradictory reports about the role of VAM in S uptake and translocation may result from insufficient consideration of soil S status. In this study, using soils of low S status, VAM inoculation increased the content of radioactively labelled S (35S) in shoots of maize plants. Key words: Maize plant, S-uptake, Vesicular-arbuscular mycorrhizae fungi

Vesicular-Arbuscular Mycorrhizae Influence Mount St. Helens Pioneer Species in Greenhouse Experiments

Vesicular-arbuscular mycorrhizae (VAM) are present in most terrestrial ecosystems and play a major role in community structure and function. However, their role in primary succession remains poorly understood. Two greenhouse studies examined the role of VAM in Mount St. Helens pioneer species under three nutrient regimes and four competitive scenarios. Nutrient levels were complete, complete without phosphorus (- P), and tap water (very low nutrient levels). In tap water a negative effect from VAM colonization was observed perhaps due to parasitic action of the VAM fungi. A weak but apparent benefit from VAM occurred in the -P treatment since plants in the -P treatment were usually not less in biomass than those in the complete nutrient treatment and VAM colonization levels were greater in the -P treatment. VAM colonization was more beneficial to plants under the complete nutrient treatment than under the tap water treatment. VAM assisted the facultatively mycotrophic Hypochaeris radicata in competition with the non-mycotrophic Carex mertensii. Lack of VAM improved the competitive ability of Carex mertensii when in competition with facultatively mycotrophic species. However, VAM did not significantly influence competitive outcomes between facultatively mycotrophic species.