General and specialized metabolites in peanut roots regulate arbuscular mycorrhizal symbiosis

Arbuscular mycorrhizae(AM)fungi form symbiotic associations with plant roots,providing nutritional benefits and promoting plant growth and defenses against various stresses.Metabolic changes in the roots during AM fungal colonization are key to understanding the development and maintenance of these symbioses.Here,we investigated metabolic changes in the roots of peanut(Arachis hypogaea L.)plants during the colonization and development of AM symbiosis,and compared them to uncolonized roots.The primary changes during the initial stage of AM colonization were in the contents and compositions of phenylpropanoid and flavonoid compounds.These compounds function in signaling pathways that regulate recognition,interactions,and pre-colonization between roots and AM fungi.Flavonoid compounds decreased by 25%when the symbiosis was fully established compared to the initial colonization stage.After AM symbiosis was established,general metabolism strongly shifted toward the formation of lipids,amino acids,carboxylic acids,and carbohydrates.Lipid compounds increased by 8.5%from the pre-symbiotic stage to well-established symbiosis.Lyso-phosphatidylcholines,which are signaling compounds,were only present in AM roots,and decreased in content after the symbiosis was established.In the initial stage of AM establishment,the content of salicylic acid increased two-fold,whereas jasmonic acid and abscisic acid decreased compared to uncolonized roots.The jasmonic acid content decreased in roots after the symbiosis was well established.AM symbiosis was associated with high levels of calcium,magnesium,and D-(+)-mannose,which stimulated seedling growth.Overall,specific metabolites that favor the establishment of AM symbiosis were common in the roots,primarily during early colonization,whereas general metabolism was strongly altered when AM symbiosis was well-established.In conclusion,specialized metabolites function as signaling compounds to establish AM symbiosis.These compounds are no longer produced after the symbiosis between the roots and AM becomes fully established.

Improved observation of colonized roots reveals the regulation of arbuscule development and senescence by drought stress in the arbuscular mycorrhizae of citrus

Citrus is the typical mycorrhizal fruit tree species establishing symbiosis with arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi. However, arbuscule development and senescence in colonized citrus roots, especially in response to drought stress, remain unclear, which is mainly due to the difficulty in clearing and staining lignified roots with the conventional method. Here, we improved the observation of colonized roots of citrus plants with the sectioning method, which enabled the clear observation of AM fungal structures. Furthermore, we investigated the effects of one week of drought stress on arbuscule development and senescence with the sectioning method. Microscopy observations indicated that drought stress significantly decreased mycorrhizal colonization (F%and M%) although it did not affect plant growth performance. Fluorescence probes (WGA 488 and/or Nile red) revealed that drought stress inhibited arbuscule development by increasing the percentage of arbuscules at the early stage and decreasing the percentages of arbuscules at the midterm and mature stages. Meanwhile, drought stress accelerated arbuscule senescence, which was characterized by the increased accumulation of neutral lipids. Overall, the sectioning method developed in this study enables the in-depth investigation of arbuscule status, and drought stress can inhibit arbuscule development but accelerate arbuscule senescence in the colonized roots of citrus plants. This study paves the way to elaborately dissecting the arbuscule dynamics in the roots of fruit tree species in response to diverse abiotic stresses.

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.

Genome-wide analyses of mi RNAs in mycorrhizal plants in response to late blight and elucidation of the role of miR319c in tomato resistance

Tomato(Solanum lycopersicum), an economically important vegetable crop cultivated worldwide, often suffers massive financial losses due to Phytophthora infestans(P. infestans) spread and breakouts. Arbuscular mycorrhiza(AM) fungi mediated biocontrol has demonstrated great potential in plant resistance. However, little information is available on the regulation of mycorrhizal tomato resistance against P. infestans.Therefore, microRNAs(miRNAs) sequencing technology was used to analyse miRNA and their targets in the mycorrhizal tomato after P.infestans infection. Our study showed a lower severity of necrotic lesions in mycorrhizal tomato than in nonmycorrhizal controls. We investigated 35 miRNAs that showed the opposite expression tendency in mycorrhizal and nonmycorrhizal tomato after P. infestans infection when compared with uninfected P. infestans. Among them, miR319c was upregulated in mycorrhizal tomato leaves after pathogen infection. Overexpression of miR319c or silencing of its target gene(TCP1) increased tomato resistance to P. infestans, implying that miR319c acts as a positive regulator in tomato after pathogen infection. Additionally, we examined the induced expression patterns of miR319c and TCP1 in tomato plants exposed to salicylic acid(SA) treatment, and SA content and the expression levels of SA-related genes were also measured in overexpressing transgenic plants. The result revealed that miR319c can not only participates in tomato resistance to P. infestans by regulating SA content, but also indirectly regulates the expression levels of key genes in the SA pathway by regulating TCP1. In this study, we propose a novel mechanism in which the miR319c in mycorrhizal tomato increases resistance to P. infestans.

Effect of arbuscular mycorrhiza on the growth of Camptotheca acuminata seedlings

Camptotheca acuminata seeds were sown in sterilized sands in the greenhouse in February of 2005. After 90-day growth, seedlings were inoculated with three species of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi （AMF）, Acaulospora mellea, Glomus diaphanum and Sclerocystis sinuosa.. The height, biomass, and absorptions of nitrogen and phosphorus of C. acuminata seedlings inoculated with AMF were investigated. The results showed that the formation of AM promoted the height growth and biomass accumulation of seedlings significantly and improved the absorption of phosphorus in seedlings. The height and biomass of mycorrhizal seedlings were 1.2 and 1.6 times higher than those of the non-mycorrhizal seedlings. The absorption of nitrogen was less influenced by the formation of AM. The nitrogen content in mycorrhizal seedling was equal to that of non-mycorrhizal seedlings. Compared with non-mycorrhizal seedlings, the nitrogen content of mycorrhizal seedlings inoculated with A. mellea changed considerably in the root, stem and leaves. The difference in nitrogen content was not significant between mycorrhizal seedlings inoculated with G. diaphanum and S. sinuosa. The AM formation stimulated the absorption of phosphorus, especially in roots, and also changed the allocation of nitrogen and phosphorus in different organs of seedlings. Compared with non-mycorrhizal seedlings, the ratio of nitrogen and phosphorus in mycorrhizal roots increased, but reduced in stem and leaves.

Effect of Arbuscular Mycorrhiza on the Content of Nitrogen and Nitrogenous Matter in Amur Corktree Seedlings

[Objective] This study aimed to explore the effect of arbuscular mycorrhiza on the content of nitrogen and nitrogenous matter in amur corktree（Phellodendron amurense Rupr.）seedlings. [Method] The annual seedlings of Phellodendron amurense Rupr. were inoculated with four arbuscular mycorrhiza fungi in a pot experiment to study the influences of arbuscular mycorrhiza on the content of nitrogen and nitrogenous matter in Phellodendron amurense Rupr. [Result] After inoculation with arbuscular mycorrhiza fungi, the Phellodendron amurense Rupr. seedlings developed arbuscular mycorrhiza, leading to an enhancement of photosynthetic capacity. The leaf nitrogen content of those inoculated with Glomus mosseae increased to 1.28- 1.60 times as compared with the control. The chlorophyll content and chlorophyll a/b ratio were also raised, with an increase over 25% of chlorophyll a content. In addition, IAA content in plants increased to 1.65-2.41 times; and nitrate reductase activity was also enhanced, as well as soluble protein content, 1.67-2.49 times as high as the control, which improved the nitrogen metabolic ability, and promoted the plant growth, as well as the secondary metabolic ability. [Conclusion] This study provides a theoretical basis for the application of arbuscular mycorrhiza on Phellodendron amurense Rupr.

Research Progress on the Process and Mechanism of Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi Colonizing Roots

The arbuscular mycorrhiza （AM） is a kind of fungi-plant associated sym- biont formed by the arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi and plants in soil. Present study was limited to the population and community level, mainly in horticulture, land recla- mation, forest and environmental restoration. Research progress was also made at the cellular level and molecular level. Process and related mechanism of mycorrhizal fungi infecting root were reviewed, and future study on the mechanism of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi infecting root should be continued.

Arsenic uptake by arbuscular mycorrhizal maize (Zea mays L.) grown in an arsenic-contaminated soil with added phosphorus

The effects of arbuscular mycorrhizal （AM） fungus （Glomus mosseae） and phosphorus （P） addition （100 mg/kg soil） on arsenic （As） uptake by maize plants （Zea mays L.） from an As-contaminated soil were examined in a glasshouse experiment. Non-mycorrhizal and zero-P addition controls were included. Plant biomass and concentrations and uptake of As, P, and other nutrients, AM colonization, root lengths, and hyphal length densities were determined. The results indicated that addition of P significantly inhibited root colonization and development of extraradical mycelium. Root length and dry weight both increased markedly with mycorrhizal colonization under the zero-P treatments, but shoot and root biomass of AM plants was depressed by P application. AM fungal inoculation decreased shoot As concentrations when no P was added, and shoot and root As concentrations of AM plants increased 2.6 and 1.4 times with P addition, respectively. Shoot and root uptake of P, Mn, Cu, and Zn increased, but shoot Fe uptake decreased by 44.6%, with inoculation, when P was added. P addition reduced shoot P, Fe, Mn, Cu, and Zn uptake of AM plants, but increased root Fe and Mn uptake of the nonmycorrhizal ones. AM colonization therefore appeared to enhance plant tolerance to As in low P soil, and have some potential for the phytostabilization of As-contaminated soil, however, P application may introduce additional environmental risk by increasing soil As mobility.

The role of arbuscular mycorrhiza on change of heavy metal speciation in rhizosphere of maize in wastewater irrigated agriculture soil

To understand the roles of mycorrhiza in metal speciation in the rhizosphere and the impact on increasing host plant tolerance against excessive heavy metals in soil, maize(Zea mays L.) inoculated with arbuscular mycorrhizal fungus(Glomus mosseae) was cultivated in heavy metal contaminated soil. Speciations of copper, zinc and lead in the soil were analyzed with the technique of sequential extraction. The results showed that,in comparison to the bolked soil, the exchangeable copper increased from 26% to 43% in non-infected and AM-infected rhizoshpere respectively; while other speciation (organic, carbonate and Fe-Mn oxide copper) remained constant and the organic bound zinc and lead also increased but the exchangeable zinc and lead were undetectable. The organic bound copper, zinc and lead were higher by 15%, 40% and 20%, respectively, in the rhizosphere of arbuscular mycorrhiza infected maize in comparison to the non-infected maize. The results might indicate that mycorrhiza could protect its host plants from the phytotoxicity of excessive copper, zinc and lead by changing the speciation from bio-available to the non-bio-available form. The fact that copper and zinc accumulation in the roots and shoots of mycorrhia infected plants were significantly lower than those in the non-infected plants might also suggest that mycorrhiza efficiently restricted excessive copper and zinc absorptions into the host plants. Compared to the non-infected seedlings, the lead content of infected seedlings was 60% higher in shoots. This might illustrate that mycorrhiza have a different mechanism for protecting its host from excessive lead phytotoxicity by chelating lead in the shoots.

Effect of Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Inoculation on Plant Growth and Phthalic Ester Degradation in Two Contaminated Soils

A 60-day pot experiment was carried out using di-(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP) as a typical organic pollutant phthalic ester and cowpea (Vigna sinensis) as the host plant to determine the effect of arbuscular mycorrhizal inoculation on plant growth and degradation of DEHP in two contaminated soils, a yellow-brown soil and a red soil. The air-dried soils were uniformly sprayed with different concentrations of DEHP, inoculated or left uninoculated with an arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungus, and planted with…

Effect of Arbuscular Mycorrhizal (AM) Fungi on the Physiological Performance of Phaseolus vulgaris Grown under Crude Oil Contaminated Soil

An experiment was conducted to assess the influence of arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi on the performance of Phaseolus vulgaris under crude oil contaminated soil. P. vulgaris was grown on soil under 2%, 4% and 8% (v/w) crude oil contamination. The experimental units were biostimulated with 2 g NPK fertilizer pot-1 and were inoculated with 12 g AM inoculum pot-1. Non inoculated pots served as control. The results showed that AM inoculated pots recorded higher and significantly (P < 0.05) different dry matter yields and chlorophyll content than non AM inoculated pots. Residual total petroleum hydrocarbon (TPH) increased as percent crude oil contamination increased. Total petroleum hydrocarbon decomposition and removal was higher on pots inoculated with AM than non inoculated pots. With AM colonization, physiological characteristics of P. vulgaris and TPH decomposition improved. This is evinced by the linear regression analysis between colonization and TPH (R2 = 0.77).

Soil compaction and arbuscular mycorrhizae affect seedling growth of three grasses

Soil compaction is a limitation to establishment of native forest species on reclaimed surfacemined lands in Appalachia. Previously, non-native forage species such as tall fescue (Schedonorus arundinaceus(Schreb.) Dumort., nom. cons.) have been planted because they easily established on reclaimed mine soil. There is now interest in establishing robust native prairie species to enhance biodiversity and provide greater potential for root activity in the compacted soil. We conducted a 10-week glasshouse study comparing growth of “Pete” eastern gamagrass (Tripsacum dactyloidesL.), “Bison” big bluestem (Andropogon gerardiiVitman), and “Jesup MaxQ” tall fescue at soil bulk densities (BD) of 1.0, 1.3, and 1.5 g·cm-3. We also examined effects of arbuscular-mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) on plant growthin relation to compaction. Sources of AMF were a reclaimed surface coal mine soil and a native tallgrass prairie soil. Shoot and root biomass of tall fescue and big bluestem were reduced at 1.5 BD while eastern gamagrass growth was not affected. Growth ofbig bluestem and eastern gamagrass was greaterwith AMF than without, butsimilar between AMF sources. Tall fescue growthwas not enhanced by AMF. Overall, tall fescue biomass was 3 times greater than eastern gamagrass and 6 times greater than big bluestem when comparing only AMF-colonized grasses. Eastern gamagrass and big bluestem are both slower to establish than tall fescue. Eastern gamagrass appears to be more tolerant of compaction, while big bluestem appears somewhat less tolerant.

Effectivity of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi collected from reclaimed mine soil and tallgrass prairie

We examined suitability of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) associated with cool-season nonnative forages on reclaimed surface-mined land in southeast Ohio for establishment of native warm-season grasses. The goal of establishing these grasses is to diversify a post-reclamation landscape that is incapable of supporting native forest species. A 16-week glasshouse study compared AMF from a 30-year reclaimed mine soil (WL) with AMF from native Ohio tallgrass prairie soil (CL). Four native grasses were examined from seedling through 16 weeks of growth. Comparisons were made between CL and WL AMF on colonized (+AMF) and non-colonized plants (–AMF) at three levels of soil phosphorus (P). Leaves were counted at 4 week intervals. Shoot and root biomass and percent AMF root colonization were measured at termination. We found no difference between WL and CL AMF. Added soil P did not reduce AMF colonization, but did reduce AMF efficacy. Big bluestem (Andropogon gerardii Vitman), Indiangrass (Sorghastrum nutans (L.) Nash), and tall dropseed (Sporobolus asper (Michx.) Kunth) benefited from AMF only at low soil P while slender wheatgrass (Elymus trachycaulus (Link) Gould ex Shinners) exhibited no benefit. Establishment of tallgrass prairie dominants big blue-stem and Indiangrass would be supported by the mine soil AMF. It appears that the non-native forage species have supported AMF equally functional as AMF from a regionally native tallgrass prairie. Tall dropseed and slender wheatgrass were found to be less dependent on AMF than big bluestem or Indiangrass and thus would be useful in areas with little or no AMF inoculum.

Comparison of Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungal Community in Roots and Rhizosphere of Invasive Cenchrus incertus and Native Plant in Inner Mongolia,China

Plant invasions could significantly alter arbuscular mycorrhizal(AM) fungal communities, but the effect may vary with plant species and local environments. Identifying changes in the AM fungal community due to plant invasion could improve our understanding of the invasion processes. Here, we examined the AM fungal community composition both in roots and rhizosphere soils of the invasive plant Cenchrus incertus and the dominant native plant Setaria viridis in a typical steppe in Inner Mongolia by using terminal restriction fragment length polymorphism analyses(T-RFLP). The results showed that AM fungal abundance in the rhizosphere soils of C. incertus was significantly lower than that of S. viridis. The AM fungal community composition in the rhizosphere soils of the two plant species also largely differed. In general, AM fungal community structures in roots corresponded very well to that in rhizosphere soils for both plant species. The dominant AM fungal type both in invasive and native plants was T-RFLP 524 bp, which represents Glomus sp.(Virtual taxa 109 and 287). Three specific T-RF types(280,190 and 141bp) were significantly more abundant in C. incertus, representing three clusters in Glomus which also named as VT(virtual taxa) 287, 64 and 214, Rhizophagus intraradices(VT 113) and Diversispora sp.(VT 60). While the specific T-RF types,189 and 279 bp, for S. viridis, only existed in Glomus cluster 1(VT 156), were significantly less abundant in C. incertus. These results indicated that AM fungi might play an important role in the invasion process of C. incertus, which still remains to be further investigated.

A test of the mycorrhizal-associated nutrient economy framework in two types of tropical rainforests under nutrient enrichments

Shifts in tree species and their mycorrhizal associations driven by global change play key roles in biogeochemical cycles. In this paper, we proposed a framework of the mycorrhizal-associated nutrient economy(MANE), and tested it using nutrient addition experiments conducted in two tropical rainforests. We selected two tropical rainforests dominated by arbuscular mycorrhizal(AM) and ectomycorrhizal(ECM) trees, and established eighteen20 m×20 m plots in each rainforest. Six nitrogen(N) and phosphorus(P) addition treatments were randomly distributed in each rainforest with three replicates. We examined the differences in soil carbon(C) and nutrient cycling, plant and litter productivity between the two rainforests and their responses to 10-year inorganic N and P additions. We also quantified the P pools of plants, roots, litter, soil and microbes in the two rainforests. Overall,distinct MANE frameworks were applicable for tropical rainforests, in which soil C, N and P were cycled primarily in an inorganic form in the AM-dominated rainforest, whereas they were cycled in an organic form in the ECMdominated rainforest. Notably, the effects of mycorrhizal types on soil P cycling were stronger than those on C and N cycling. The intensified N and P deposition benefited the growth of AM-dominated rainforests instead of ECMdominated rainforests. Our findings underpin the key role of mycorrhizal types in regulating biogeochemical processes, and have important implications for predicting the ecological consequences of global changes.

A Preliminary Survey of Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi Associated with Marsh Plants in Lhalu Wetland,Suburban Lhasa,South Tibet

A survey was made of the spore community of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) and root colonization by AMF in 16 plant species in Lhalu wetland on the outskirts of Lhasa city in Tibet. It was found that 13 of the 16 plant species investigated (81. 5% ) formed arbuscular mycorrhizal structures and dark septate endophytic fungi colonized the roots of most species. Total AMF colonization ranged from 0 to 82. 6% in dicots and 0 to 54. 5% in monocots. Both total AMF and arbuscular colonization were greater in dicots than that in monocots. A total of 48 taxa representing 7 genera of AMF were isolated and identified. Of these,9 species belonged to Acaulospora,2 to Appendicispora,34 to Glomus,and 1 each to Pacispora,Paraglomus and Scutellospora. Spores of Glomus aggregatum,G. deserticola and G. etunicatum were most common and abundant in the spore survey. Spores of 8 to 26 AMF species were isolated from the rhizosphere soil of individual plant species. Spore densities in soil associated with the 16 plant species ranged from 20 to 475 per 20 g soil,with an average of (92. 3 ± 14. 6). Species richness of AMF ranged from 6 to 12. 7. There were no significant differences between dicots and monocots in AMF spore density or species richness. Future work directed towards under- standing the response of the wetland plants to AMF may provide some insight into the role that these fungal symbionts may play in influencing plant diversity in this important urban wetland.

Arbuscular Mycorrhizal (AM) Diversity in Prosopis cineraria (L.) Druce Under Arid Agroecosystems

Arbuscular mycorrhizal （AM） fungi associated with Prosopis cineraria （Khejri） were assessed for their qualitative and quantitative distribution from eight districts of Rajasthan. A total of three species of Acaulospora, one species of Entrophospora, two species of Gigaspora, twenty-one species of Glomus, seven species of Sclerocystis and three species of Scutellospora were recorded. A high diversity of AM fungi was observed and it varied at different study sites. Among these six genera, Glomus occurred most frequently. Glomus fasciculatum, Glomus aggregatum, and Glomus mosseae were found to be the most predominant AM fungi in infecting Prosopis cineraria. Acaulospora, G. fasciculatum, Sclerocystis was found in all the fields studied, while Scutellospora species were found only in few sites. A maximum of thirty-six AM fungal species were isolated and identified from Jodhpur, whereas only thirteen species were found from Jaisalmer. Spores of Glomusfasciculatum were found to be most abundant under Prosopis cineraria.

Glomalin Production and Infectivity of Arbuscular-Mycorrhizal Fungi in Response to Grassland Plant Diversity

Arbuscular-mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) are integral components of most terrestrial ecosystems, with complex interactions between plants and AMF. Our study assessed the impact of plant diversity of native grassland species on AMF infectivity and production of glomalin, an AMF hyphal glycoprotein that may play an important role in soil aggregation. The study was conducted over a 3-year period in field plots planted with 1, 2, 8, or 16 plant species. The mycorrhizal infection potential (MIP) of the plots was assayed in the greenhouse. Glomalin production and MIP were lowest in monocultures and were more closely correlated with plant diversity than with plant cover. Spore density was also greater in higher diversity plots. Lower AMF activity in monoculture plots may contribute to lower productivity and soil quality in plant monocultures. Immunoreactive glomalin levels varied seasonally, with higher levels in late summer than in late spring. Positive correlations were found between glomalin levels and spore density, and between MIP and spore density, but not between MIP and glomalin.

Testing the Effect of Soil Heterogeneity on Arbuscular Mycorrhiza Fungi (AMF) Contribution to Plant Productivity

Most natural soils are heterogeneous and nutrient availability and soil structure change greatly over small distances. It is still unclear whether AMF are advantageous for plants under such heterogeneous soil conditions. The objective of this study was to determine whether diverse AMF community support host plant community productivity in heterogeneous soil. It was also tested whether soil heterogeneity affects plant productivity. This was carried out in a greenhouse experiment made up of two factors: soil heterogeneity and AMF richness. Soil heterogeneity was simulated by mixing three soil types (sand, field soil and organic soil) together (homogenous soil (HM)), mixing them partly (semi homogenous (SH)) or keeping the three soil types separate in three compartments within one pot (heterogeneous (HT)). AMF richness was simulated by adding no AMF, one of four different AMF species separately, or all four different AMF together. The pots were planted with a mixture of Trifolium pratense and Lolium multiflorum. There was no effect of soil heterogeneity on total plant biomass. However, the biomass of the individual plant species was greatly affected by soil heterogeneity with Lolium being the most abundant in the heterogeneous soil and Trifolium being the most abundant in the homogenous soil. Total plant biomass did not increase with AMF richness. Moreover, opposite to the hypothesis, AMF richness was not beneficial for plant productivity in a heterogenous soil environment. However, there were significant differences in plant biomass with different AMF treatments in the SH and HT treatment indicating that effects of AMF on plant productivity are influenced by soil type. These effects on yield and AMF reflect a combination of local responses to growing conditions. The results show that AMF influence on plant yield may not always be positive but is strongly dependent on ecological elasticity and environmental condition.

Interactions between a Root Knot Nematode (<i>Meloidogyne exigua</i>) and Arbuscular Mycorrhizae in Coffee Plant Development (<i>Coffea arabica</i>)

This paper focuses on parasitic root knot nematodes (Meloidogyne exigua) and how to decrease their pathogenic effect on coffee plants (Coffea arabica), by examining the behaviour of and the interactions between nematodes, coffee plant and arbuscular mycorrhizae (AM). The experiment was carried out at the seedling stage, with six (6) treatments (plants with M. exigua, plants with arbuscular mycorrhizae, plants with both organisms, and the same time, first mycorrhizae plants, then nematodes were inoculated and vice versa). After 5 months the measured variables were: dry biomass (roots and shoot), nematode knots caused by M. exigua in root, nematode juvenile (J2) found in 100.0 g of soil, and mycorrhizal percentage. Plant nutrients (P and N) contents were analysed. Significant differences were found in all the variables, but concentration N content in plants. Plants with mycorrhizae and plants with mycorrhizae and then inoculated with nematodes have the same behaviour. Control plants and plants with nematode and then inoculated with mycorrhizae behave similarly. It is thought that arbuscular mycorrhizae are formed before the nematode infestation, allowing coffee plants to regain the energy lost by the parasitic interaction. AM may help coffee plants with lignifications of the plant cell wall cuticle. As the cuticle thickens it is more difficult for nematodes to penetrate and enter into plant roots. Therefore, arbuscular mycorrhizae help coffee plants to uptake and transport nutrients, improving its nutritional status and stabilizing nematode attacks. It is suggested that symbiotic interactions help neutralize parasitic interactions.