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 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.

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.

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

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 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.

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.

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.

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.

Isolation and identification of desert habituated arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi newly reported from the Arabian Peninsula

Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi（AMF） are known to facilitate the growth and vigour of many plants, particularly in arid ecosystems. In a survey of AMF in a date palm plantation and two natural sites of a desert in Oman, we generated many single spore-derived cultures of AMF. We identified a number of these isolates based on spore morphotyping and molecular phylogenetic analysis using the sequence of the LSU-rDNA. Here, we presented the characteristics of four species of AMF recovered, namely Claroideoglomus drummondii, Diversispora aurantia, Diversispora spurca and Funneliformis africanum. The four species have been described previously, but for the Arabian Peninsula they are reported here for the first time. Our endeavor of isolation and characterization of some AMF habituated to arid sites of Arabia represents a first step towards application for environmental conservation and sustainable agriculture in this region.

Long-term grazing exclusion influences arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi and their association with vegetation in typical steppe of Inner Mongolia,China

It is not certain that long-term grazing exclusion influences arbuscular mycorrhizal （AM） fungi and their association with steppe vegetation. In this study, soil and plant samples were collected from two sites of grazing exclusion since 1983 （E83） and 1996 （E96）, and one site of free-grazing （FG） in the typical steppe of Xilinguole League, Inner Mongolia, China, and assayed for soil basic physicochemical properties, AM fungal parameters, aboveground biomass and shoot phosphorus （P） uptake as well. The results showed that long-term grazing exclusion of E83 and E96 led to less drastic seasonal changes and significant increases in spore density, hyphal length density and root colonization intensity of AM fungi and even soil alkaline phosphatase activity, by up to 300, 168, 110 and 102％, respectively, compared with those of FG site. In addition, the total aboveground biomass and shoot P uptake of E83 and E96 were 75-992％ and 58-645％, respectively, higher than those of FG. Generally, the root colonization intensity, spore density, and hyphal length density of AM fungi were all positively correlated with the aboveground biomass and even shoot P uptake of plant. These results may imply that grazing exclusion play a critical role in increasing the growth of AM fungi, and subsequently, may increase plant P uptake and aboveground biomass production. Moreover, the spore density could sensitively reflect the impacts of long-term grazing exclusion on AM fungi since survival strategy of spores in soil.

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.

Indigenous arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi play a role in phosphorus depletion in organic manure amended high fertility soil

The species richness and propagule number of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi(AMF)are high in intensively-managed agricultural soils.Past research has shown that AMF improve crop phosphorus(P)uptake under low soil P conditions,however it is unclear if AMF play a role in high Olsen-P soils.In this study,we investigated whether native fungal benefits exist under high P input field conditions in-situ and contribute to P utilization.We installed in-grow tubes which were sealed with different membrane pore sizes(30 or 0.45μm)to allow or prevent AMF hyphae access to the hyphal compartment and prevent cotton roots from penetrating the chamber.We used the depletion of soil available P(Olsen-P)in the hyphae accessed compartment to indicate P uptake by the native AMF community.Our results showed that the native AMF mediated P depletion and microbial biomass P(MBP)turnover and caused the largest Olsen-P depletion ratio and MBP turnover ratio in the high P treatments(Olsen-P:78.29 mg kg^(-1)).The cotton roots in each fertilization regime were colonized by a unique AMF community and Glomus and Paraglomus were the dominant genera,implying the longterm fertilization regimes domesticated the AMF community.We conclude that native AMF caused the P depletion and P turnover even under high soil Olsen-P conditions.

Effects of Different Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi on Growth and Protective Enzyme Activity of Glycyrrhiza uralensis

[Objective] This study aimed to investigate the effects of 5 kinds of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi( Acaulospora mellea,Glomus mosseae,Glomus versiforme,Glomus aggregatum,Glomus etunicatum) on the growth and protective enzyme activity of Glycyrrhiza uralensis Fisch. [Method] The growth indicators and protective enzymes activity of glycyrrhiza plants inoculated and uninoculated with fungi were compared. [Result] The plant height,basal diameter,main root length,aboveground fresh weight,underground fresh weight,aboveground dry weight and underground dry weight of the inoculated glycyrrhiza plants were increased significantly compared with those in the control( non-inoculation) group. In the inoculated glycyrrhiza plants,the growth index was significantly increased compared with that in the control group( P <0. 05); the activities of superoxide dismutase( SOD) and peroxidase( POD) increased first and then decreased; and the activity of catalase( CAT) showed a continuous rising trend. The effects of different inoculants on the growth of G. uralensis were significantly different.[Conclusion]G. etunicatum,G. mosseae and G. aggregatum had a significant effect on the growth of G. uralensis,and were superior to other fungi in resisting the adverse environment.

Species Diversity of Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi in the Rhizosphere of Hevea brasiliensis in Hainan Island,China

Hevea brasiliensis is one of the important economic trees with a great economic value for natural rubber production.Symbiosis between roots of H.brasiliensis and arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi(AMF)is widely recognized,and can provide a range of benefits for both of them.Hainan Island harbors is one of the largest plantations of H.brasiliensis in China,whereas the information regarding the diversity of AMF in the rhizosphere of H.brasiliensis on this island is scarce.The diversity of AMF species in the rhizosphere of rubber tree plantations in Hainan was investigated in this study.A total of 72 soil samples from the rhizosphere of H.brasiliensis RY7-33-97 were collected.These included 48 samples from plantations in 11 cities or counties that had been planted for 15–25 years,and 24 samples from a demonstrating plantation site of the China National Rubber Tree Germplasm Repository representing plantations with tree plantation ages from one to 40 year-old.Collectively,a total of 68 morphotypes of AMF,belonging to the genera of Archaeospora(1),Glomus(43),Acaulospora(18),Entrophospora(3),Scutellospora(2),and Gigaspora(1)were isolated and identified,as per morphological characteristics of spores presented in the collected soil samples.Glomus(Frequency,F=100%)and Acaulospora(F=100%)were the predominant genera,and A.mellea(F=63.9%)and A.scrobiculata(F=63.9%)were the predominant species.AMF species differed significantly among collected sites in spore density(SD,290.7–2,186.7 spores per 100 g dry soil),species richness(SR,4.3–12.3),and Shannon-Weiner index of diversity(H,1.24–2.24).SD was negatively correlated with available phosphorus level in the soil;SR was positively correlated with soil total phosphorus content;and H was positively correlated with levels of soil organic matter and total phosphorus.Similarly,SD,SR,and H were also correlated with H.brasiliensis plantation age,and an increasing trend was observed up to 40 years.These results suggest that the AMF community was complex and ubiquitous in the island plantation ecosystems of H.brasiliensis,with high species abundance and diversity.Soil factors and plantation age dramatically affected AMF diversity at species level.

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.

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.