Causal Analysis Between Rice Growth and Cadmium Accumulation and Transfer under Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Inoculation

Cadmium(Cd)contamination in rice has been a serious threat to human health.To investigate the effects of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi(AMF)on the Cd translocation in rice,a controlled pot experiment was conducted.The results indicated that AMF significantly increased rice biomass,with an increase of up to 40.0%,particularly in root biomass by up to 68.4%.Notably,the number of prominent rice individuals also increased,and their plasticity was enhanced following AMF inoculation.AMF led to an increase in the net photosynthetic rate and antioxidant enzyme activity of rice.In the AMF treatment group,the Cd concentration in the rice roots was significantly higher(19.1%‒68.0%)compared with that in the control group.Conversely,the Cd concentration in the rice seeds was lower in the AMF treatment group,indicating that AMF facilitated the sequestration of Cd in rice roots and reduced Cd accumulation in the seeds.Path coefficients varied across different treatments,suggesting that AMF inoculation reduced the direct impact of soil Cd concentration on the total Cd accumulation in seeds.The translocation of Cd was consistently associated with simultaneous growth dilution and compensatory accumulation as a result of mycorrhizal effects.Our study quantitatively analyzed this process through path analysis and clarified the causal relationship between rice growth and Cd transfer under the influence of AMF.

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.

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.

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.

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(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 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.

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.

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.

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.

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

A modified glass bead compartment cultivation system was used tocompare some chemical and biolog- ical properties of the twoarbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi Glmomus mosseae and Glomusversiforme using maize (Zea mays) as the host plant with four addedlevels of available phosphorus (P). The proportion of host plant rootlength infected was determined t harvest. Shoot and root yields andnutrient concentra- tions were determined, together with the nutrientconcentrations in the AM fungal external mycelium. The morphology ofvarious mycorrhizal structures of the two AM fungi was also comparedby microscopic obser- vation.

Plant growth and their root development after inoculation of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi in coal mine subsided areas

Coal mining often cause serious land degradation, soil erosion, and desertification affecting growth of the local vegetation, especially the roots. Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi （AMF） inoculation is considered a potential biotechnological tool for mined soil remediation because mycorrhizal fungi could improve plant growth environment, especially under adverse conditions due to their good symbiosis. A field experiment was conducted to study the ecological effects of AMF （Funneliformis mosseae, Rhizophagus intraradices） on the growth of Amygdalus pedunculata Pall. and their root development in the regenerated mining subsidence sandy land. The reclamation experiment included four treatments： inoculation of Funneliformis mosseae （F.m）, inoculation of Rhizophagus intraradices （R.i）, combined inoculation of F.m and R.i and non-inoculated treatment. Root mycorrhizal colonization, plant height, crown width, soil moisture, root morphology and certain soil properties were assessed. The results showed that AMF improved the shoot and root growth of Amygdalus pedunculata Pall., and significantly increased root colonization after 1 year of inoculation. Available phosphorus content, activities of phosphatase as well as electrical conductivity in soil rhizosphere of all the three inoculation treatments were higher than that of the non-inoculated treatment. AMF increased the quantity of bacteria and fungi in soil rhizosphere compared with the non-inoculated treatment. Our study indicates that revegetation with AMF inoculum could influence plant growth and root development as well as soil properties, suggesting that AMF inoculation can be effective method for further ecological restoration in coal mine subsided areas.

Effect of Inoculation with Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungus on Nitrogen and Phosphorus Utilization in Upland Rice-Mungbean Intercropping System

The effect of arbuscular mycorrhiza fungi （AMF） on plant growth and nutrition utilization in upland rice and mungbean intercropping system was studied. A pot experiment was conducted in the greenhouse and AMF colonization rates of rice and mungbean roots, plant nutrient contents, the ability of nitrogen fixation, and nutrient contents changed in the soil were analyzed. The results were obtained as follows： the rates of AMF colonization of rice and mungbean roots were reached to 14.47 and 92.2% in intercopping system, and increased by 4.11 and 11.95% compared with that of in monocropping; the nirtrogen contents of mungbean and rice were increased by 83.72 and 64.83% in shoots, and 53.76 and 41.29% in roots, respectively, while the contents of iron in shoot and root of mungbean were increased by 223.08 and 60.19%, respectively. In the intercropping system with inoculation of AMF, the biomass of mungbean increased by 288.8%. However, the biomass of rice was not significantly changed among all treatments with or without inoculation of AMF recorded. The number and dry weight of nodules were significantly increased either when mungbean was intercropped with rice or inoculated with AMF. When compared with that of monocropping without AMF inoculation, the contents of nitrogen, phosphorus and iron in nodules of intercropping mungbean with inoculation increased by 80.14, 69.54 and 39.62%, respectively. Additionally, intercropping with AMF inoculation significantly increased soil nitrogen content, but reduced soil phosphorus content. We concluded that upland rice-mungbean intercropping system and inoculation with AMF improved the nutrient uptake, the ability of nitrogen fixation and the growth of mungbean.

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.

Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungal colonization of Glycyrrhiza glabra roots enhances plant biomass,phosphorus uptake and concentration of root secondary metabolites

Arbuscular mycorrhizal （AM） fungi penetrate the cortical cells of the roots of vascular plants, and are widely distributed in soil. The formation of these symbiotic bodies accelerates the absorption and utilization of min- eral elements, enhances plant resistance to stress, boosts the growth of plants, and increases the survival rate of transplanted seedlings. We studied the effects of various arbuscular mycorrhizae fungi on the growth and devel- opment of licorice （Glycyrrhiza glabra）. Several species of AM, such as Glomus mosseae, Glomus intraradices, and a mixture of fungi （G. mosseae, G intraradices, G. cladoideum, G microagregatum, G caledonium and G. etunica- tum） were used in our study. Licorice growth rates were determined by measuring the colonization rate of the plants by the fungi, plant dry biomass, phosphorus concentration and concentration of secondary metabolites. We estab- lished two cloned strains of licorice, clone 3 （C3） and clone 6 （C6） to exclude the effect of genotypic variations. Our results showed that the AM fungi could in fact increase the leaf and root biomass, as well as the phosphorus con- centration in each clone. Furthermore, AM fungi significantly increased the yield of certain secondary metabolites in clone 3. Our study clearly demonstrated that AM fungi play an important role in the enhancement of growth and development of licorice plants. There was also a significant improvement in the secondary metabolite content and yield of medicinal compounds from the roots.

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.

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.