Morphological Characterization of Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi Associated with the Rhizosphere According to the Age of Xanthosoma sagittifolium L. Schott Plants in the Field

The objective of this work was to carry out a morphological characterization of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi in the rhizosphere of Xanthosoma sagittifolium L. Schott plants. The plant material used was the white and red cultivars of X. sagittifolium, belonging to age intervals of 3 - 6, 6 - 9, and 9 - 12 months. Three harvest sites were chosen in the Central Region of Cameroon. In each site, soil from the rhizosphere and plant roots was collected in a randomized manner. In the field, the agronomic parameters were evaluated. The physicochemical characteristics of the soils, the mycorrhization index, and the morphological characterization of the mycorrhizal types of each site were carried out. The results obtained show that the agronomic growth parameters varied significantly using the Student Newman and Keuls Test depending on the harvest sites. The soils’ pH in all sites was acidic and ranged between 4.6 and 5.8. The Nkometou site has a loamy texture while the Olembe and Soa sites have loam-clay-sandy and loam-clay textures respectively. The highest mycorrhization frequencies appeared at the Nkometou site, with 75 and 87.33% of the white and red cultivars plant roots at 6 - 9 and 3 - 6 months. The relative abundance of AMF arbuscular mycorrhizal fungal spores in the rhizosphere of X. sagittifolium plants varied with age and cultivar. There were 673 spores between 9 - 12 months in Nkometou in the red cultivar. Six AMF genera were identified in all the different soils collected: Acaulospora sp., Funneliformis sp., Gigaspora sp., Glomus sp., Scutellospora sp., and Septoglomus sp. The genus Glomus sp. was the most present at all age intervals in both cultivars.

Soil Physico-Chemical Properties and Different Altitudes Affect Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi Abundance and Colonization in Cacao Plantations of Cameroon

This study aims to investigate the abundance of AMF according to soil properties and altitudes in different cacao plantations of Cameroon. Physico-chemical analyses were made on soil samples collected from three agro-ecological zones. Soil samples were also used to evaluate directly the AMF abundance following the various altitudes and after trapping by sorghum plant. The results showed that soil properties, AMF spore abundances and colonization fluctuated significantly at different altitudes. The most represented texture was sandy loam. The bimodal zone presented a homogeneous texture (sandy loam) in all its localities. Cacao soil chemical characteristics showed that, the highest nitrogen rate (0.47%;p 0.05, Scott-Knott test) was recorded at Melong in a monomodal zone while Tonga in the Western highlands displayed the lowest rate (0.13%). Soil P concentration was significantly high in monomodal zones (Mbanga and Melong). Soil pH level indicated that the soil from Tonga in the Western highlands was neutral (pH = 6.67), and soils of other localities under study were acidic with the lowest (4.75) pH level recorded at Melong in a monomodal zone. In soil samples, the highest spore density (1.03 spores/g soil) was observed at Ntui in Bimodal zone, while the lowest spore density (0.26 spores/g soil) was observed at Bafang in the Western highlands. Root colonization showed that the sample from Bokito in a bimodal zone displayed the best frequency of mycorrhization (86.11%) while the sample from Bafang in the Western highlands recorded the lowest (27.11%). The PCA analysis highlighted that available phosphorus, pH and altitude all strongly correlated with AMF root colonization ability and can be used as a predictor of AMF colonization ability in cacao rhizosphere.

Effects of Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi(AMF) on Growth of Upland Rice under Soil Pb Contamination

[Objective] This study aimed to investigate the effects of arbuscular mycor-rhizal fungi （AMF） on growth of upland rice under soil Pb contamination. [Method] Using potting method, the effects of Glomus mosseae on the growth of Oryzal sati-va L. under different soil Pb concentrations （0, 300, 600 mg/kg） were investigated. [Result] According to the results, the mycorrhizal colonization rate of upland rice in-oculated with Glomus mosseae was significantly reduced （P〈0.05） with the increase of Pb concentration in soil. Compared with non-inoculation treatment, inoculation of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi significantly improved the biomass of upland rice and Pb concentration of upland rice roots with addition of 300 mg/kg Pb but significantly reduced Pb concentration of upland rice shoots, which was consistent with the re-duced R/S （P〈0.05）; with addition of 600 mg/kg Pb, inoculation of arbuscular mycor-rhizal fungi significantly improved the biomass of upland rice roots （P〈0.05） but sig-nificantly reduced Pb concentration of upland rice shoots and roots （P〈0.05）; there was no significant difference in R/S between inoculation treatment and non-inocula-tion treatment. [Conclusion] This study indicated that inoculating Glomus mosseae under certain Pb concentrations could to some extent al eviate the toxic effects of Pb on Oryzal sativa L.

Effects of Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi (AMF) on Distribution of Pb Forms in Rhizosphere of Upland Rice

[Objective] The aim was to study the effects of AMF on distribution of Pb in different chemical forms in rhizosphere soil of upland rice. [Method] A pot experiment was conducted to explore effects of AMF inoculation on distribution of Pb in different forms in rhizosphere of rice (Oryzal sativa L.) with Pb in different concentrations (0, 300 and 600 mg/kg). [Result] With inoculation adopted, mycorrzhial colonization rate of upland rice under Pb pdlution root declined substantially with Pb increasing in soils (P<0.05). Compared with non-inoculation, rhizosphere pH significantly enhanced by inoculation; when Pb was at 300 mg/kg, glomalin content in soils improved significantly by inoculation; when Pb was at 600 mg/kg, glomalin content in soils declined substantially (P<0.05). In addition, inoculation significantly improved contents of Pb in exchangeable and organic forms, but lowered Pb in carbonate bound and Fe-Mn oxides bound forms (P<0.05). [Conclusion] The research indicated that AMF inoculation would change distribution of Pb in different forms in rhizosphere soils of upland rice.

Diversity of Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi Associated with Six Rice Cultivars in Italian Agricultural Ecosystem Managed with Alternate Wetting and Drying

Alternate wetting and drying(AWD)system,in which water has been reduced by approximately 35%with an increased occurrence of beneficial arbuscular mycorrhizal(AM)symbiosis and no negative impact on rice yield,was proposed to utilize water and nutrients more sustainable.In this study,we selected six rice cultivars(Centauro,Loto,Selenio,Vialone nano,JSendra and Puntal)grown under AWD conditions,and investigated their responsiveness to AM colonization and how they select diverse AM taxa.In order to investigate root-associated AM fungus communities,molecular cloning-Sanger sequencing on small subunit rDNA data were obtained from five out of the six rice cultivars and compared with Next Generation Sequencing(NGS)data,which were previously obtained in Vialone nano.The results showed that all the cultivars were responsive to AM colonization with the development of AM symbiotic structures,even if with differences in the colonization and arbuscule abundance in the root systems.We identified 16 virtual taxa(VT)in the soil compartment and 7 VT in the root apparatus.We emphasized that the NGS analysis gives additional value to the results thanks to a more in-depth reading of the less represented AM fungus taxa.

Effects of Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi on the Physiology and Saponin Synthesis of Paris polyphylla var. yunnanensis at Different Nitrogen Levels

Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi(AMF)are important members of the plant microbiome and affect the uptake and transfer of mineral elements by forming a symbiotic relationship with plant roots.Nitrogen(N),as an important min­eral element,can directly affect plant growth and development at different N levels.It has been confirmed that inoc­ulation with AMF can improve the efficiency of N utilization by plants.However,there are still fewer reports on the dynamic relationship between arbuscular mycorrhizal and plant secondary metabolites at different nitrogen levels.In this experiment,the physiological indexes and genes related to saponin synthesis were determined by applying differ­ent concentration gradients of nitrogen to the medicinal plant P.polyphylla var.yunnanensis infested by AMF as the test material.It was found that nitrogen addition increased the biomass,chlorophyll content,and nutrient content of above-and below-ground plant parts and increased the content of saponin content of P.polyphylla var.yunnanensis to some extent,but AMF inoculation increased the saponin content of P.polyphylla var.yunnanensis more significantly.AMF inoculation also promoted the expression of genes related to the saponin synthesis pathway,including 3-hy­droxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A synthase(HMGS),squalene epoxidase 1(SE1),and cycloartenol synthase(CAS),which is in according with the accumulation of saponin in plants.It also may increase the saponin content of AMF plants by altering the expression of P450s and UGTs related to saponin synthesis.

Effects of Two Kinds of Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi (AMF) Inoculums on Cucumber Seedlings Growth

To study the effects of AMF （ arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi） ineeulums on seedling growth of cucumber, vegetable seeds were inoculated with two kinds of AMF ineculums BF （ mycorrhiza for plants） and VT （ mycorrhiza for vegetables） from Czech Republic during sowing in trays in greenhouse. The root AMF infection rates in seedlings were 49.30% and 37.65% respectively after 35 d growth. The plant height, stem diameter, fresh and dry weight of those seedlings inoculated with BF and VT were higher than that in CK. Compared with the CK, VT inoculation significantly improved the root activity, chlorophyll content and photosynthetic rate of cucumber seedlings. Comprehensive analysis showed that VT could promote seedling growth of protected cucumber.

Effect of Different Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi Strains on Mineral Nutrition and Antioxidant Enzymes of Chrysanthemum morifolium

[Objective] The purpose was to study the effects of different arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi strains（AMF）on the mineral nutrition and antioxidant enzymes of Chrysanthemum morifolium.[Method] The pot experiment was conducted in the greenhouse,C.morifolium ＇Jinba＇ was inoculated with five kinds of AMF,N,P,K,malondial dehyde（MDA）content,as well as the superoxide dismutase（SOD）,peroxidase（POD） and catalase（CAT） activity in roots,leaves and petals of C.morifolium were measured at seedling and flowering stages.[Result] The G.i,G.e and G.m treatments could promote mineral nutrient absorption,increase N,P,K content in roots,leaves and petals of C.morifolium compared with the control without inoculation.The G.d、G.e and G.m treatments could significantly reduce MDA content in roots and petals,thus alleviating membrane permeability and lipid peroxidation.The G.i treatments could also improve the SOD,POD and CAT activities of C.morifolium,thereby increasing the capability of scavenging oxygen free radicals.[Conclusion] According to the comprehensive analysis,G.i was screened out as the best strain to improve mineral nutrition and antioxidant enzyme activities of C.morifolium.

Effects of Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi on Upland Rice Oxidative Stress Induced by Cu and Pb Contamination in Soil

[Objective] This study aimed to investigate the effect of arbuscular mycor-rhizal fungi on upland rice oxidative stress induced by Cu and Pb contamination in soil. [Method] The upland rice seeds were sowed in pots, in which the soil was previously mixed with a certain amount of Glomus mosseae and 0, 100 and 200 mg/kg Cu, or 0, 300 and 600 mg/kg Pb. In the control treatment, Glomus mosseae was inactivated before mixed into the soil. Then, the physiological and chemical properties of the aboveground parts of rice plants were measured at mature stage. [Result] Compared with the control treatment （NM）, Glomus mosseae （GM） treat-ment inhibited the POD, CAT and SOD activity while increased the soluble protein content under 100 mg/kg Cu and 300 mg/kg Pb treatment, improved the POD and CAT activity and soluble protein content while decreased SOD activity under 200 mg/kg Cu. SOD and POD activity showed no significant difference between NM and GM treatment under 600 mg/kg Pb, but the CAT activity was enhanced and soluble protein content was decreased. [Conclusion] This study wil provide theoretical refer-ence for bioremediation of soil heavy metal pol ution.

Review of Research Methods on Biodiversity of Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi

Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi （AMF） are essential functional microbiology in natural ecosystems. It is very important to research community composition and di- versity of AMF for achieving sustainable development of ecosystems. The paper described several methods of researching the diversity of AMF, especially for molecular techniques, reviewed the application status of these methods in AMF research, and pointed out that the effective combination of morphological and molecular methods could better reveal the biodiversity and ecological functions of AMF in natural ecosystems.

EFFECT OF HOST PLANTS AND INOCULUM FORMS ON THE INOCULUM POTENTIAL OF ARBUSCULAR MYCORRHIZAL FUNGI

The effects of inoculum forms (single-spore, multi-spores, or colonized root pieces) and host plants (Nicotiana tabacum L., Sorghum sudanense (Piper) Stapf, and Trifolium repens L.) on the development and inoculum potential (IP) of the arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) :Glo-mus macrocarpum Tul & Tul, donuis mosseae (Nicol & Gerd.) Gerdemann & Trappe, Glomus ver-siforme (Karsten) Berch, and Sclerocystis sinu/osa Gerdemann & Bakhi cultured in pots were investigated. The lag phase of treatment with 50 spores or 0.5 g (fresh weight) of colonized root pieces was 4 weeks, much shorter than that of the treatment with 1 spore (8 weeks); the value of IP (VIP) and percentage of root colonization (PRC) of the former were greater than those of the latter. Only on the early stages of colonization was there difference between the 50 spores and the 0.5 g (fresh weight) of colonized root piece inoculation treatments. The EP per plant inoculated with 0.5 g (fresh weight) of colonized root pieces of AMF was greater than that of the other two treatments except G. versiforme on Nicotiana tabacum, while the PRC of the plants inoculated with 50 spores and 0.5 g (fresh weight) of colonized root pieces of AMF was higher than that of the 1 spore inoculation after 10 weeks. Trie VIP of AMF on Trifolium repens was significantly higher than that on the other two hosts. The VIP of G. mosseae, G. versiforme, and S. sinuosa was respectively greater than that of G. macrocarpum. This suggested that different species of AMF produced different VIP of the inoculum . Nicotiana tabacum was much better than the other host plants which used to be inoculated with single spore, and to produce inocula of AMF.

Effects of Seedling-cake Integrated with Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi on Resistance of Bacterial Wilt in Pepper (Capsicum annuum L.)

[Objective] The aim was to investigated the effects of seedling-cake with AMF on resistance of pepper （Capsicum annuum L.） to bacterial wilt. [Methods] A pot experiment was conducted to evaluate the dynamics of mycorrhizal colonization, disease index, morbidity rate, control effect and several agronomic traits of mycorrhizal seedlings after inoculation with RS in two kinds of seeding-cakes with AMF. [Results] Two kinds of seedling-cakes formed steadily mycorrhizal colonization after inoculation, which enhanced disease-resistance and decreased morbidity rate and disease index in different degrees. What’s more, the performance of self-made seedling-cakes was obviously better than that of commercial seedling-cakes. [Conclusions] Self-made seedling-cakes with AMF have superior performance on bacterial wilt resistance of pepper, which should be made use of in other crops extensively.

AMF和PGPR联合芦苇修复重金属污染河道底泥的效应

研究旨在探究河道底泥重金属污染下丛枝菌根真菌(Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi,AMF)与植物根际促生菌(Plant Growth-Promoting Rhizobacteria,PGPR)对芦苇生长、磷吸收以及重金属去除的效应。以沈阳市浑河河道底泥为研究对象,对芦苇接种AMF双网无梗囊霉(Acaulospora bireticulata,AM1)、摩西斗管囊霉(Funneliformis mosseae,AM2)、PGPR黏质沙雷氏菌(Serratia marcescens,PG)、双网无梗囊霉+黏质沙雷氏菌(APG1)、摩西斗管囊霉+黏质沙雷氏菌(APG2)和不接种对照(CK)共6个处理。结果显示,AMF能够促进PGPR在芦苇根区土壤以及根内的定殖数量,而PGPR能够促进AMF侵染发育,增加其侵染率、泡囊数以及孢子数。AMF、PGPR或AMF+PGPR处理均显著增加了芦苇生物量以及地上部和根系磷质量比,促进了植物对底泥中重金属(Cd、Zn、Pb、Cu)的吸收,降低了土壤中重金属含量。在各处理下,APG2处理对底泥中重金属的去除率最高,达33.24%~55.51%,土壤中过氧化氢酶、蔗糖酶、脲酶和碱性磷酸酶活性也显著高于AM1、AM2、PG和CK处理。此外,底泥重金属在芦苇内的分布均为根系大于地上部,可见芦苇根系对重金属的吸收和富集能力较强,且以APG2处理下对Cd、Zn、Pb的吸收效果最好,分别是CK处理的2.4倍、2.0倍以及1.7倍。因此,AMF和PGPR双接种可提高芦苇P吸收量以及土壤酶活性,促进芦苇生长,而AMF和PGPR能够相互促进,增加对底泥重金属的去除效率,其中APG2是最佳组合。

接种AMF对‘阿坝’垂穗披碱草根系耐低温生理的影响

为明确丛枝菌根真菌(AMF)对禾本科牧草耐低温能力的影响,本研究以根内球囊霉(Glomus intraradices,GI)和‘阿坝’垂穗披碱草(Elymus nutans‘Aba’)为试验材料,通过盆栽法,探究了低温条件下[15℃/10℃,16 h/8 h(光照/黑暗)]接种根内球囊霉对‘阿坝’垂穗披碱草根系生理特性的影响。结果表明:1)低温对‘阿坝’垂穗披碱草的菌根侵染率无显著影响(P>0.05)。2)低温增加了‘阿坝’垂穗披碱草根系中过氧化氢(H_(2)O_(2))和丙二醛(MDA)含量,降低了超氧阴离子产生速率(O_(2)^(·-)),而接种GI抑制了由低温引起的H2O2和MDA含量的积累,对O_(2)^(·-)的影响不显著。3)低温增加了超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)、过氧化物酶(POD)和抗坏血酸过氧化物酶(APX)活性,降低了过氧化氢酶(CAT)活性,其中SOD、POD和APX活性均是接种组(LT-AMF)显著低于不接种组(LT)(P<0.05)。4)低温显著增加了可溶性蛋白(SP)含量,降低了甜菜碱(Gb)含量,对游离脯氨酸(Pro)含量无显著影响,接种GI显著降低了SP含量,对Pro和Gb含量无显著影响。综上所述,接种GI能通过增加抗氧化酶活性和降低渗透胁迫强度增强‘阿坝’垂穗披碱草根系对低温的耐受能力。

Moso bamboo expansion decreased soil heterotrophic respiration but increased arbuscular mycorrhizal mycelial respiration in a subtropical broadleaved forest

Moso bamboo(Phyllostachys Pubescens)expansion into adjacent forests has been widely reported to affect plant diversity and its association with mycorrhizal fungi in subtropical China,which will likely have significant impacts on soil respiration.However,there is still limited information on how Moso bamboo expansion changes soil respiration components and their linkage with microbial community composition and activity.Based on a mesh exclusion method,soil respirations derived from roots,arbuscular mycorrhizal(AM)mycelium,and free-living microbes were investigated in a pure Moso bamboo forest(expanded),an adjacent broadleaved forest(nonexpanded),and a mixed bamboo-broadleaved forest(expanding).Our results showed that bamboo expansion decreased the cumulative CO_(2)effluxes from total soil respiration,root respiration and soil heterotrophic respiration(by 19.01%,30.34%,and 29.92%on average),whereas increased those from AM mycelium(by 78.67%in comparison with the broadleaved forests).Bamboo expansion significantly decreased soil organic carbon(C)content,bacterial and fungal abundances,and enzyme activities involved in C,N and P cycling whereas enhanced the interactive relationships among bacterial communities.In contrast,the ingrowth of AM mycelium increased the activities ofβ-glucosidase and N-acetyl-β-glucosaminidase and decreased the interactive relationships among bacterial communities.Changes in soil heterotrophic respiration and AM mycelium respiration had positive correlations with soil enzyme activities and fungal abundances.In summary,our findings suggest that bamboo expansion decreased soil heterotrophic respiration by decreasing soil microbial activity but increased the contribution of AM mycelial respiration to soil C efflux,which may potentially increase soil C loss from AM mycelial pathway.

盐胁迫下根施AMF和褪黑素对紫花苜蓿生长、光合特征以及抗氧化系统的影响

本试验旨在探究盐胁迫下根施丛枝菌根真菌(arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi,AMF)和褪黑素处理对紫花苜蓿生长、光合特征和抗氧化系统的影响。设置盐胁迫下(100 mmol·L^(-1)NaCl)对紫花苜蓿根施褪黑素(0、50、100、150、200μmol·L^(-1))并接种AMF变形球囊霉以及不接种对照共10个处理。结果表明,AMF与紫花苜蓿能形成稳定共生关系,根施褪黑素能够增加AMF菌根侵染率以及泡囊数,菌根侵染率最高达65.2%。在根施褪黑素100μmol·L^(-1)水平下,与对照相比,接种AMF处理的紫花苜蓿总生物量、叶绿素a、叶绿素b含量分别提高5.4%、7.3%和45.3%,根冠比下降39.5%;净光合速率(Pn)、蒸腾速率(Tr)、胞间CO_(2)浓度(Ci)和气孔导度(Gs)分别增加23.3%、28.3%、17.6%和14.1%;最大光化学效率(F_(v)/F_(m))和PSⅡ潜在活性(F_(v)/F_(o))分别提高19.6%和22.9%;叶片中氮、磷、钾含量分别是对照的1.4、1.1和1.2倍,钠含量比对照下降11.1%;紫花苜蓿铜锌超氧化物歧化酶(Cu/ZnSOD)基因表达量提高33.9%,POD基因表达量提高16.8%,CAT基因表达量提高6.4%,抗氧化酶系统中超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)、过氧化物酶(POD)、过氧化氢酶(CAT)活性也表现为一定幅度的增加。结论认为,AMF和褪黑素均能够增加紫花苜蓿对氮、磷、钾等养分的吸收量而降低对钠的吸收量,进而提高光合作用能力以及叶绿素a、b含量和叶绿素荧光参数,上调Cu/Zn-SOD、POD、CAT基因表达量并显著增加SOD、POD、CAT等活性,其中以接种AMF配合根施100μmol·L^(-1)褪黑素改善紫花苜蓿生长状况、光合特征,提高抗盐性的作用最为显著。

Effects of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi inoculation on arsenic accumulation by tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum L.)

A pot experiment was conducted to study the effects of arbuscular mycorrhizal （AM） fungi （from contaminated or uncontaminated soils） on arsenic （As） uptake of tobacco （Nicotiana tabacurn L.） in As-contaminated soil. Mycorrhizal colonization rate, dry weight, As and P uptake by plants, concentrations of water-extractable As and As fractions were determined. A low mycorrhizal colonization rate （〈 25%） was detected. Our research indicated that AM fungi isolated from polluted soils were no more effective than those from unpolluted soils when grown in symbiosis with tobacco. No significant differences were observed in roots and stalks dry weights among all treatments. Leaves and total plant dry weights were much higher in Glomus versiforme treatment than that in control treatment. As contents in roots and stalks from mycorrhizal treatments were much lower than that from control treatment. Total plant As content exhibited the same trend. P concentrations in tobacco were not affected by colonization, nor were stalks, leaves and total plant P contents. Roots P contents were remarkably lower in HN treatments than in other treatments. Meanwhile, decreased soil pH and lower water-extractable As concentrations and higher levels of As fraction bound to well-crystallized hydrous oxides of Fe and AI were found in mycorrhizal treatments than in controls. The protective effect of mycorrhiza against plant As uptake may be associated with changes in As solubility mediated by changing soil pH. These results indicated that under As stress, proper mechanisms employed by AM fungi can protect tobacco against As uptake. Results confirmed that AM fungi can play an important role in food quality and safety.

Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi ameliorate the chemical properties and enzyme activities of rhizosphere soil in reclaimed mining subsidence in northwestern China

In semi-arid region of northwestern China, underground mining subsidence often results in decreased vegetation coverage, impoverishment of soil fertility and water stress. In addition, the physical-chemical and biological properties of soil also change, resulting in more susceptible to degradation. In particular, subsidence causes disturbance of the symbioses of plant and microbe that can play a beneficial role in the establishment of vegetation communities in degraded ecosystems. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of revegetation with exotic arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi(AMF) inoculum on the chemical and biological properties of soil over time in mining subsidence areas. Soils were sampled at a depth up to 30 cm in the adjacent rhizosphere of Amorpha fruticose Linn. from five reclaimed vegetation communities in northwestern China. In August 2015, a field trial was set up with five historical revegetation experiments established in 2008(7-year), 2011(4-year), 2012(3-year), 2013(2-year) and 2014(1-year), respectively. Each reclamation experiment included two treatments, i.e., revegetation with exotic AMF inoculum(AMF) and non-AMF inoculum(the control). Root mycorrhizal colonization, glomalin-related soil protein(GRSP), soil organic carbon(SOC), soil nutrients, and enzyme activities were also assessed. The results showed that mycorrhizal colonization of inoculated plants increased by 33.3%–163.0% compared to that of non-inoculated plants(P<0.05). Revegetation with exotic AMF inoculum also significantly improved total GRSR(T-GRSP) and easily extracted GRSP(EE-GRSP) concentrations compared to control, besides the T-GRSP in 1-year experiment and the EE-GRSP in 2-year experiment. A significant increase in SOC content was only observed in 7-year AMF reclaimed soils compared to non-AMF reclaimed soils. Soil total N(TN), Olsen phosphorus(P) and available potassium(K) were significantly higher in inoculated soil after 1–7 years of reclamation(except for individual cases), and increased with reclamation time(besides soil Olsen P). The exotic AMF inoculum markedly increased the average soil invertase, catalase, urease and alkaline phosphatase by 23.8%, 21.3%, 18.8% and 8.6%, respectively(P<0.01), compared with the control. Root mycorrhizal colonization was positively correlated with soil parameters(SOC, TN and soil available K) and soil enzyme activities(soil invertase, catalase, urease and alkaline phosphatase) in both AMF and non-AMF reclaimed soils(P<0.05), excluding availableK in non-AMF reclaimed soils. T-GRSP(P<0.01) and EE-GRSP(P<0.05) were significantly correlated with the majority of edaphic factors, except for soil Olsen P. The positive correlation between root mycorrhizal colonization and available K was observed in AMF reclaimed soils, indicating that the AMF reclaimed soil with a high root mycorrhizal colonization could potentially accumulate available K in soils. Our findings concluded that revegetation with exotic AMF inoculum influenced soil nutrient availability and enzyme activities in the semi-arid ecosystem, suggesting that inoculating AMF can be an effective method to improve soil fertility and support restoration of vegetation communities under poor conditions like soil nutrient deficiency and drought.

Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi combined with exogenous calcium improves the growth of peanut(Arachis hypogaea L.)seedlings under continuous cropping

The growth and yield of peanut are negatively affected by continuous cropping.Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi(AMF)and calcium ions(Ca^(2+))have been used to improve stress resistance in other plants,but little is known about their roles in peanut seedling growth under continuous cropping.This study investigated the possible roles of the AMF Glomus mosseae combined with exogenous Ca^(2+)in improving the physiological responses of peanut seedlings under continuous cropping.G.mosseae combined with exogenous Ca^(2+)can enhance plant biomass,Ca^(2+)level,and total chlorophyll content.Under exogenous Ca^(2+)application,the F_v/F_m in arbuscular mycorrhizal(AM)plant leaves was higher than that in the control plants when they were exposed to high irradiance levels.The peroxidase,superoxide dismutase,and catalase activities in AM plant leaves also reached their maximums,and accordingly,the malondialdehyde content was the lowest compared to other treatments.Additionally,root activity,and content of total phenolics and flavonoids were significantly increased in AM plant roots treated by Ca^(2+)compared to either G.mosseae inoculation or Ca^(2+)treatment alone.Transcription levels of AhCaM,AhCDPK,AhRAM1,and AhRAM2 were significantly improved in AM plant roots under exogenous Ca^(2+)treatment.This implied that exogenous Ca^(2+)might be involved in the regulation of G.mosseae colonization of peanut plants,and in turn,AM symbiosis might activate the Ca^(2+)signal transduction pathway.The combination of AMF and Ca^(2+)benefitted plant growth and development under continuous cropping,suggesting that it is a promising method to cope with the stress caused by continuous cropping.

神东矿区接种AMF对植物−土壤生态化学计量及养分回收的影响

矿区采煤沉陷地植被恢复和微生物复垦是打造绿色矿山的关键点。丛枝菌根真菌(Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi,AMF)和恢复植被类型对植物−枯落叶−土壤连续体的生态化学计量学特征及养分回收的影响尚不明朗,但对阐明西北干旱采煤沉陷区生态修复后养分循环和可持续发展具有重要意义。选择复垦10 a后接种AMF与对照的紫穗槐、沙棘、文冠果、欧李、野樱桃5种恢复植被及对应植被的0~10 cm土壤进行研究,旨在探明接菌和恢复植被类型对植物−枯落叶−土壤连续体碳(C)、氮(N)、磷(P)含量和生态化学计量比,养分回收率、养分限制的影响。结果表明:5种恢复植被各器官平均养分含量与全国水平相比呈现出高C、P低N的特点,土壤N的缺乏限制了枯落物分解和植物生长。冗余分析表明影响植物生态化学计量的主要土壤因子是土壤有机碳、P、土壤易提取球囊霉素并且土壤养分与叶养分回收在菌根介导下呈正相关。AMF接种提高了植物、土壤养分含量、N、P回收率和土壤碳氮比,降低了植被的氮磷比,进而缓解植物N限制,增加植物生长速率支持恢复植被重建,促进连续体养分循环。在不同人工重建植被中接菌的固氮植被紫穗槐和沙棘养分含量、稳定性及生长速率高。植物−枯落叶−土壤连续体生态化学计量及养分回收特征预测土壤氮限制沉陷区可持续生态恢复,接种AMF则促进沉陷区持续生态恢复的潜力。