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.

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.

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.

Biodiversity of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi in different trees of madhupur forest, Bangladesh

Roots and rhizosphere soils of Acacia auriculiformis A. Cunn. ex Benth., A. mangium Wild., Artocarpus heterophyUus Lamk. C., Dalbergia sissoo Roxb. ex A. P. D., Eucalyptus camaldulensis Dehnn., Hevea brasiliensis （Wild. ex Juss） Muell. Arg., Swietenia macrophylla King. and Tectona grandis L. were collected from different locations of Madhupur forest area to study the biodiversity of Arbuscular Mycorrhizal （AM） fungal colonization and spore population. All the plants showed AM colonization. Out of eight selected plants, mycelial colonization was lowest in the roots of A. heterophyllus （22%） and the highest was in the roots of H. brasiliensis （78%）. Mycelial intensity was observed poor （25%-77%） and moderate （23%-57%） in all plants species and abundant （11%-40%） was in most of the plant species. Vesicular colonization was observed in five plant species. The lowest was recorded in E. camaldulensis （4%） and the highest was in H. brasiliensis （21%）. Poor （24%-56%）, moderate （16%-100%） and abundant （11%-40%） type of vesicular intensity were observed. Arbuscular colonization was observed in three plants. The highest was in A. mangium （72%） and the lowest was in S. macrophylla （17%）. Arbuscular intensity was recorded as poor （12%-44%）, moderate （22%-100%） and abundant （4%-47%）. The highest AM fungal spore population was in A. auriculiformis （714） and the lowest was in D. sissoo （102）. Five AM fungal genera were recorded. Glomus was found to be dominant. A few spores remained unidentified. Significant correlation was observed between percent coloniza- tion and spore population. The results of the present study indicate the occurrence of AM fungi and the mycotrophism of the plants of Madhupur forest area and the applicability of AM technology in the forest management of Madhupur forest.

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。

The Effects of Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi on Reactive Oxyradical Scavenging System of Tomato Under Salt Tolerance

The effects of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi （AMF）, Glomus mosseae, on oxygen radical scavenging system of tomato under salt stress were studied in potted culture experiments. The response of tomato （Lycopersieon eseulentum L.） cultivar Zhongza 9 seedlings with AMF inoculation and control to salt stress （0, 0.5 and 1.0% NaCl solution, respectively） was investigated. The results showed that the salt stress significantly reduced the dry matter content of roots, stems and leaves, and also the leaf area as compared with the control treatment. However, arbuscular mycorrhizal-inoculated （AM） significantly improved the dry matter and the leaf area in the salt-stressed plants. The effect of AMF on dry matter was more pronounced in aerial bromass than in root biomass which might be due to AM colonization. The activities of SOD, POD, ASA-POD, and CAT in leaves and roots of mycorrhizal and non-mycorrhizal treatment of tomato plants were increased and had different rules under different NaCl concentrations （solution of 0, 0.5 and 1% NaCl）, but all enzymes had a rise in the beginning of treatment under salt stress conditions. The AMF did not change the rule of tomato itself under salt stress, but AMF increased these enzyme activities in different levels. The AMF treatment significantly increased SOD, POD and ASA-POD activities in leaves and roots, whereas it had little effects on CAT in root. O2- production rate and MDA content in leaves increased continuously, which showed a positive line correlation with salt stress concentration. O2- production rate and MDA content in tomato plants significantly decreased by AM treatment compared with nonmycorrhizal treatment. In conclusion, AM could alleviate the growth limitations imposed by saline conditions, and thereby play a very important role in promoting plant growth under salt stress in tomato.

Two Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi Colonizing Maize Under Different Phosphorus Regimes in a Compartment Cultivation System

A modified glass bead compartment cultivation system was used to compare some chemical and biolog-ical properties of the two arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi Glomus mosseae and Glomus versiforme usingmaize (Zea mays) as the host plant with four added levels of available phosphorus (P). The proportion ofhost plant root length infected was determined at harvest. Shoot and root yields and nutrient concentra-tions were determined, together with the nutrient concentrations in the AM fungal external mycelium. Themorphology of various mycorrhizal structures of the two AM fungi was also compared by microscopic obser-vation. Inoculation with G. mosseae gave higher plant yields than that with G. versghrme, and the two fungiresponded differently in infection rate to areilable phosphorus level. Root infection rate of mycorrhizal maizecolonized by G. mosseae decreased markedly with increasing P level, and there was very poor developmentof the extraradical mpcelium at the highest rate of P

Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi Colonization in Upland Rice as Influenced by Agrochemical Application

Mycorrhizal status of rice under upland conditions was studied using potted seedlings, Percentage of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi （AMF） root colonization varied between 17.35% and 37.18% over an age series of 7 to 70 days old rice plants, AMF root colonization was increased up to 35-42 days, beyond which the root colonization steadily declined, The vesicles appeared after two weeks and reached their maximum intensity on the 35th day. The arbuscules were formed late on the 42^rd day （2.93%） and slightly varied up to the 70^th day （3.03%）. Higher dosage of urea application suppressed plant growth whereas the superphosphate treatment had no marked impact on plant growth. Generally, application of these agrochemicals registered less influence on the hyphal colonization of AMF in rice plants, whereas arbuscular colonization was adversely affected by higher dosages of fertilizers. There were pronounced decreases in both the plant growth and their AMF colonization due to the application of systemic fungicides, carbendazim and thiophanate methyl. The application of single sprays of fungicides was less deleterious over multiple sprays.

Response of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi and phosphorus solubilizing bacteria to remediation abandoned solid waste of coal mine

Coal is the vital resource of energy in China,but abandoned coal ash and gangue lead to the degradation of vegetation cover and reduce soil quality.Both arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) and phosphate solubilizing bacteria (PSB) play a key role in biogeochemical cycle such as soil organic matter decomposition,nutrition release,and energy flow.To improve and reclamation the soil quality and ecological efficiency of the coal mining waste,we investigated the effects of an AMF strain (Glomus mosseae) and a PSB strain (Pantoesstewarti) on phytate mineralization and subsequent transfer to the host plant (Medicago sativa L.) using a two-compartment microcosm with a central 30 mm nylon mesh barrier.The results showed that significantly higher available P (AP),above ground biomass (AGB) and underground biomass (UGB) were in combined inoculation of AMF-PSB than other treatments in root and hyphae compartment.The microbial inoculum of the AMF or PSB had a significant influence on soil acid phosphatase activities (ACP).AMF-PSB enhanced phytate mineralization,improved plant biomass.AP and ACP positively influenced the AGB and UGB.AMF-PSB could be used as bioinoculant to enhance sustainable production of the plant in abandoned solid waste of coal mine.

Dynamics of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi associated with desert ephemeral plants in Gurbantunggut Desert

Previous studies documented that most desert plants can be colonized by arbuscular mycorrhizal （AM） fungi, however, little is known about how the dynamics of AM fungi are related to ephemerals in desert ecosystems. The dynamics of AM fungi with desert ephemerals were examined to determine the effects of host plant life stages on the development of AM fungi. Mean colonization of ephemeral annual plants was 45% lower than that of ephemeral perennial plants. The colonizations were much higher in the early part of the growing season than in later parts, peaking at flowering times. The phenology of AM fungi in root systems varied among different ephem- erals. The density of AM fungal spores increased with the development of ephemeral annual plants, reached its maximum at flowering times, and then plateaued about 20 days after the aboveground senescence. A significant positive correlation was found between AM fungi spore density and biomass of ephemeral annual plants. The life cycles of AM fungi associated with desert ephemerals were very shod, being about 60-70 days. Soil temperature and water content had no direct influence on the development of AM fungal spores. We concluded that the development of AM fungi was in response to desert ephemeral phenology and life history strategy.

Effects of Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi on Metals Uptake, Physiological and Biochemical Response of <i>Medicago Sativa</i>L. with Increasing Zn and Cd Concentrations in Soil

The effect of mycorrhizal symbiosis on metal accumulation and plant tolerance are not commonly studied in medicinal plants under metal stress. The objective of this study was to assess the impact of mycorrhiza on alfalfa plants with the increase of Zn and Cd toxicity. The experiment was conducted under controlled laboratory conditions. Zinc (Zn) and cadmium (Cd) uptake, some biochemical and physiological parameters were studied in eight-week-old alfalfa plants in response to inoculation or not with arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) and with the increase of Zn (0, 100, 300, 900 mg·kg-1) and Cd concentrations (0, 100, 300, 600 mg·kg-1) in soil. The results showed that mycorrhizal (M) plants exhibited tolerance to Zn and Cd up to 300 mg·kg-1 in comparison to non-mycorrhizal (NM) plants which exhibited a significant growth reduction at the same soil Zn and Cd level. M inoculation reduced the Zn and Cd accumulation in shoot and showed higher Zn and Cd contents in roots which showed a different Zn and Cd distribution in AMF associated or non-associated plants. Mycorrhizal plants increased phosphorus (P) contents at all Zn and Cd concentrations except the highest (600 and 900 mg·kg-1) leading significant alterations in biochemical contents such as proline, antioxidant enzymes in leaves and also in nutrients (N, P, K, Cu, Ni, Fe, Mn). Zn and cadmium toxicity cause to increase the proline content in shoot of NM plants, however, proline contents are lower in M plants. Results confirmed that AMF protected alfalfa plants against Zn and Cd toxicity. Mycorrhizal colonization was able to form an efficient symbiosis with alfalfa plants in moderately contaminated Zn and Cd soils (300 mg·kg-1) and play an important role in food quality and safety.

The diversity of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi of Rosa acicularis ’Luhe’ in saline areas

Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi(AMF)in the soil encompass a diversity of species and play an important role in maintaining ecosystem balance.However,little research has focused on the AMF diversity of Rosa acicularis Lindl.’Luhe’,which has been cultivated in northeastern saline areas,because of its strong salt tolerance and cold resistance.In the present study the AMF in the rhizosphere of R.acicularis Luhe were identified and AMF diversity and community composition were assessed using morphological and molecular techniques.Vesicles,hyphae,and arbuscular structures were observed in seedlings of different ages.Result shows that AMF established a good symbiotic relationship with R.acicularis Luhe.The colonization rate and spore density tended to increase over time.The AMF diversity in the rhizosphere of R.acicularis Luhe was low and four species of AMF were validated:Rhizophagus irregularis,Glomus aggregatum,Septoglomus furcatum,and Funneliformis mosseae.Of these,R.irregularis and G.aggregatum were dominant and have high salt tolerance.Determining the AMF diversity in the rhizosphere of R.acicularis Luhe will aid in screening AMF species with strong resistance and using mycorrhizas for plant establishment in breeding programs.