Myco-heterotroph/epiparasitic plant interactions with ectomycorrhizal and arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi

Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) may affect competitive plant interactions, which are considered a prevalent force in shaping plant communities. Aiming at understanding the role of AMF in the competition between two pasture species and its dependence on soil nutritional status, a pot experiment with mycorrhizal and non-mycorrhizal Lolium multiflorum and Trifolium subterraneum was conducted, with manipulation of species composition (five levels), and nitrogen (N)- and phosphorus (P)- fertilization (three levels). In the non-mycorrhizal state, interspecific competition did not play a major role. However, in the presence of AMF, Lolium was the strongest competitor, with this species being facilitated by Trifolium. While N-fertilization did not change the competitive balance, P-fertilization gave Lolium, a competitive advantage over Trifolium. The effect of AMF on the competitive outcome may be driven by differential C-P trade benefits, with Lolium modulating carbon investment in the mycorrhizal network and the arbuscule/vesicle ratio at the cost of Trifolium.

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The Role of Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi in Agro- and Natural Ecosystems

Outlook on Agriculture ◽

10.5367/000000000101293059 ◽

2000 ◽

Vol 29 (1) ◽

pp. 55-62 ◽

Cited By ~ 51

Author(s):

J.C. Dodd

Keyword(s):

Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi ◽

Mycorrhizal Fungi ◽

Arbuscular Mycorrhizal ◽

Land Plant ◽

Fungal Mycelium ◽

Plant Interactions ◽

Natural Ecosystems ◽

Soil Pathogens ◽

Fundamental Reason ◽

Plant Families

Symbionts called ‘mycorrhizal fungi’ occur in most biomes on earth, and are a fundamental reason for plant growth and development on the planet. The most common group of mycorrhizal fungi is that of the arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF), which colonize the roots of over 80% of land plant families, but they cannot as yet be cultured away from the host plant. AMF are primarily responsible for nutrient transfer from soil to plant, but have other roles such as soil aggregation, protection of plants against drought stress and soil pathogens, and increasing plant diversity. This is achieved by the growth of their fungal mycelium within a host root and out into the soil beyond. There is an urgent need to study the below-ground microbiology of soils in agro-and natural ecosystems, as AMF are pivotal in closing nutrient cycles and have a proven multifunctional role in soil–plant interactions. More information is also needed on the biodiversity and functional diversity of these microbes and their interactions with crops and plants.

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Host-Specific Effects of Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi on Two Caragana Species in Desert Grassland

Journal of Fungi ◽

10.3390/jof7121077 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 7 (12) ◽

pp. 1077

Author(s):

Xin Guo ◽

Zhen Wang ◽

Jing Zhang ◽

Ping Wang ◽

Yaoming Li ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi ◽

Mycorrhizal Fungi ◽

Arbuscular Mycorrhizal ◽

Nutrition Status ◽

Shoot Biomass ◽

Desert Grassland ◽

Plant Interactions ◽

Caragana Korshinskii ◽

Amf Communities ◽

Caragana Species

Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF), which form symbioses with most land plants, could benefit their hosts and potentially play important roles in revegetation of degraded lands. However, their application in revegetation of desert grasslands still faces challenges and uncertainties due to the unclear specificity of AMF-plant interactions. Here, Caragana korshinskii and Caragana microphylla were inoculated with either conspecific (home) or heterospecific (away) AM fungal communities from the rhizosphere of three common plant species (C. korshinskii, C. microphylla and Hedysarum laeve) in Kubuqi Desert, China. AMF communities of the inocula and their home and away effects on growth and nutrition status of two Caragana species were examined. Results showed that AMF communities of the three inocula from C. korshinskii, H. laeve and C. microphylla were significantly different, and were characterized by high abundance of Diversispora, Archaeospora, and Glomus, respectively. The shoot biomass, photosynthetic rate, foliar N and P contents of C. korshinskii only significantly increased under home AMF inoculation by 167.10%, 73.55%, 9.24%, and 23.87%, respectively. However, no significant effects of AMF on C. microphylla growth were found, regardless of home or away AMF. Positive correlations between C. korshinskii biomass and the abundance of AMF genus Diversispora were found. Our study showed strong home advantage of using native AMF community to enhance C. korshinskii growth in the desert and presented a potentially efficient way to use native AMF in restoration practices.

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