scholarly journals Asymbiotic mass production of the arbuscular mycorrhizal fungus Rhizophagus clarus

2022 ◽  
Vol 5 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Sachiko Tanaka ◽  
Kayo Hashimoto ◽  
Yuuki Kobayashi ◽  
Koji Yano ◽  
Taro Maeda ◽  
...  

AbstractArbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) symbiosis is a mutually beneficial interaction between fungi and land plants and promotes global phosphate cycling in terrestrial ecosystems. AM fungi are recognised as obligate symbionts that require root colonisation to complete a life cycle involving the production of propagules, asexual spores. Recently, it has been shown that Rhizophagus irregularis can produce infection-competent secondary spores asymbiotically by adding a fatty acid, palmitoleic acid. Furthermore, asymbiotic growth can be supported using myristate as a carbon and energy source for their asymbiotic growth to increase fungal biomass. However, the spore production and the ability of these spores to colonise host roots were still limited compared to the co-culture of the fungus with plant roots. Here we show that a combination of two plant hormones, strigolactone and jasmonate, induces the production of a large number of infection-competent spores in asymbiotic cultures of Rhizophagus clarus HR1 in the presence of myristate and organic nitrogen. Inoculation of asymbiotically-generated spores promoted the growth of host plants, as observed for spores produced by symbiotic culture system. Our findings provide a foundation for the elucidation of hormonal control of the fungal life cycle and the development of inoculum production schemes.

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sachiko Tanaka ◽  
Kayo Hashimoto ◽  
Yuuki Kobayashi ◽  
Koji Yano ◽  
Taro Maeda ◽  
...  

AbstractArbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) symbiosis is a mutually beneficial interaction between fungi and land plants and promotes global phosphate cycling in terrestrial ecosystems. AM fungi are recognised as obligate symbionts that require root colonisation to complete a life cycle involving the production of propagules, asexual spores. Recently it has been shown that Rhizophagus irregularis can produce infection-competent secondary spores asymbiotically by adding a fatty acid, palmitoleic acid. Further, asymbiotic growth can be supported using myristate as a carbon and energy source for their asymbiotic growth to increase fungal biomass. However, spore production and the ability of these spores to colonise host roots were still limited compared to co-culture of the fungus with plant roots. Here we show that a combination of two plant hormones, strigolactone and methyl jasmonate, induces production of a large number of infection-competent spores in asymbiotic cultures of Rhizophagus clarus HR1 in the presence of myristate and organic nitrogen. Inoculation of asymbiotically-generated spores promoted the growth of Welsh onions, as observed for spores produced by symbiotic culture system. Our findings provide a foundation for elucidation of hormonal control of the fungal life cycle and development of new inoculum production schemes.


2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Manoj-Kumar Arthikala ◽  
Kalpana Nanjareddy ◽  
Lourdes Blanco ◽  
Xóchitl Alvarado-Affantranger ◽  
Miguel Lara

AbstractTarget of rapamycin (TOR) is a conserved central growth regulator in eukaryotes that has a key role in maintaining cellular nutrient and energy status. Arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi are mutualistic symbionts that assist the plant in increasing nutrient absorption from the rhizosphere. However, the role of legume TOR in AM fungal symbiosis development has not been investigated. In this study, we examined the function of legume TOR in the development and formation of AM fungal symbiosis. RNA-interference-mediated knockdown of TOR transcripts in common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris) hairy roots notably suppressed AM fungus-induced lateral root formation by altering the expression of root meristem regulatory genes, i.e., UPB1, RGFs, and sulfur assimilation and S-phase genes. Mycorrhized PvTOR-knockdown roots had significantly more extraradical hyphae and hyphopodia than the control (empty vector) roots. Strong promoter activity of PvTOR was observed at the site of hyphal penetration and colonization. Colonization along the root length was affected in mycorrhized PvTOR-knockdown roots and the arbuscules were stunted. Furthermore, the expression of genes induced by AM symbiosis such as SWEET1, VPY, VAMP713, and STR was repressed under mycorrhized conditions in PvTOR-knockdown roots. Based on these observations, we conclude that PvTOR is a key player in regulating arbuscule development during AM symbiosis in P. vulgaris. These results provide insight into legume TOR as a potential regulatory factor influencing the symbiotic associations of P. vulgaris and other legumes.


Botany ◽  
2014 ◽  
Vol 92 (4) ◽  
pp. 241-251 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ylva Lekberg ◽  
Roger T. Koide

Our knowledge of arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) function is largely based on results from short-term studies in controlled environments. While these have provided many important insights into the potential effects of the symbiosis on the two symbionts and their communities, they may have also inadvertently led to faulty assumptions about the function of the symbiosis in natural settings. Here we highlight the consequences of failing to consider the AM symbiosis from the perspectives of community ecology and evolutionary biology. Also, we argue that by distinguishing between physiological and evolutionary viewpoints, we may be able to resolve controversies regarding the mutualistic vs. parasitic nature of the symbiosis. Further, while most AM research has emphasized resource transfers, primarily phosphate and carbohydrate, our perceptions of parasitism, cheating, bet-hedging, and partner choice would most likely change if we considered other services. Finally, to gain a fuller understanding of the role of the AM symbiosis in nature, we need to better integrate physiological processes of plants and their AM fungi with their naturally occurring temporal and spatial patterns. It is our hope that this article will generate some fruitful discussions and make a contribution toward this end.


2011 ◽  
Vol 27 (4) ◽  
pp. 251-255 ◽  
Author(s):  
David D. Douds ◽  
Gerald Nagahashi ◽  
John E. Shenk

AbstractInoculation with arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi is a potentially useful tool in agricultural systems with limited options regarding use of synthetic chemicals for fertility and pest control. We tested the response ofAllium porrumcv. Lancelot to inoculation with AM fungi in a field high in available P (169 μg g−1soil) that had been repeatedly cultivated to control weeds. Seedlings were inoculated during the greenhouse production period with a mixed species inoculum produced on-farm in a compost and vermiculite medium withPaspalum notatumFlugge as a nurse host. Inoculated and uninoculated seedlings were the same size at outplanting. Inoculated seedlings were over 2.5-fold greater in shoot weight and shoot P content than uninoculated seedlings at harvest. These results demonstrate the potential yield benefits from inoculation with AM fungi in situations where farm management practices may negatively impact on indigenous populations of AM fungi.


2021 ◽  
Vol 7 (8) ◽  
pp. 671
Author(s):  
Xiao Lou ◽  
Xiangyu Zhang ◽  
Yu Zhang ◽  
Ming Tang

The simultaneous effects of arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi and abscisic acid (ABA) on the tolerance of plants to heavy metal (HM) remain unclear. A pot experiment was carried out to clarify the effects of simultaneous applications of AM fungi and ABA on plant growth, Zn accumulation, endogenous ABA contents, proline metabolism, and the oxidative injury of black locust (Robinia pseudoacacia L.) exposed to excess Zn stress. The results suggested that exogenously applied ABA positively enhanced AM colonization, and that the growth of plants only with AM fungi was improved by ABA application. Under Zn stress, AM inoculation and ABA application increased the ABA content in the root/leaf (increased by 48–172% and 92%, respectively) and Zn content in the root/shoot (increased by 63–152% and 61%, respectively) in AM plants, but no similar trends were observed in NM plants. Additionally, exogenous ABA addition increased the proline contents of NM roots concomitantly with the activities of the related synthases, whereas it reduced the proline contents and the activity of Δ1-pyrroline-5-carboxylate synthetase in AM roots. Under Zn stress, AM inoculation and ABA application decreased H2O2 contents and the production rate of O2, to varying degrees. Furthermore, in the roots exposed to Zn stress, AM inoculation augmented the activities of SOD, CAT, POD and APX, and exogenously applied ABA increased the activities of SOD and POD. Overall, AM inoculation combined with ABA application might be beneficial to the survival of black locust under Zn stress by improving AM symbiosis, inhibiting the transport of Zn from the roots to the shoots, increasing the distribution of ABA in roots, and stimulating antioxidant defense systems.


Agronomy ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
pp. 41 ◽  
Author(s):  
Narges Moradtalab ◽  
Roghieh Hajiboland ◽  
Nasser Aliasgharzad ◽  
Tobias E. Hartmann ◽  
Günter Neumann

Silicon (Si) is a beneficial element that alleviates the effects of stress factors including drought (D). Strawberry is a Si-accumulator species sensitive to D; however, the function of Si in this species is obscure. This study was conducted to examine the effect of Si and inoculation with an arbuscular mycorrhizal fungus (AMF) on physiological and biochemical responses of strawberry plants under D. Plants were grown for six weeks in perlite and irrigated with a nutrient solution. The effect of Si (3 mmol L‒1), AMF (Rhizophagus clarus) and D (mild and severe D) was studied on growth, water relations, mycorrhization, antioxidative defense, osmolytes concentration, and micronutrients status. Si and AMF significantly enhanced plant biomass production by increasing photosynthesis rate, water content and use efficiency, antioxidant enzyme defense, and the nutritional status of particularly Zn. In contrast to the roots, osmotic adjustment did not contribute to the increase of leaf water content suggesting a different strategy of both Si and AMF for improving water status in the leaves and roots. Our results demonstrated a synergistic effect of AMF and Si on improving the growth of strawberry not only under D but also under control conditions.


2020 ◽  
Vol 21 (5) ◽  
pp. 1748
Author(s):  
Gabriela Quiroga ◽  
Gorka Erice ◽  
Ricardo Aroca ◽  
Juan Manuel Ruiz-Lozano

Boron (B) is an essential micronutrient for higher plants, having structural roles in primary cell walls, but also other functions in cell division, membrane integrity, pollen germination or metabolism. Both high and low B levels negatively impact crop performance. Thus, plants need to maintain B concentration in their tissues within a narrow range by regulating transport processes. Both active transport and protein-facilitated diffusion through aquaporins have been demonstrated. This study aimed at elucidating the possible involvement of some plant aquaporins, which can potentially transport B and are regulated by the arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) symbiosis in the plant B homeostasis. Thus, AM and non-AM plants were cultivated under 0, 25 or 100 μM B in the growing medium and subjected or not subjected to drought stress. The accumulation of B in plant tissues and the regulation of plant aquaporins and other B transporters were analyzed. The benefits of AM inoculation on plant growth (especially under drought stress) were similar under the three B concentrations assayed. The tissue B accumulation increased with B availability in the growing medium, especially under drought stress conditions. Several maize aquaporins were regulated under low or high B concentrations, mainly in non-AM plants. However, the general down-regulation of aquaporins and B transporters in AM plants suggests that, when the mycorrhizal fungus is present, other mechanisms contribute to B homeostasis, probably related to the enhancement of water transport, which would concomitantly increase the passive transport of this micronutrient.


1999 ◽  
Vol 65 (2) ◽  
pp. 718-723 ◽  
Author(s):  
C. Del Val ◽  
J. M. Barea ◽  
C. Azcón-Aguilar

ABSTRACT High concentrations of heavy metals have been shown to adversely affect the size, diversity, and activity of microbial populations in soil. The aim of this work was to determine how the diversity of arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi is affected by the addition of sewage-amended sludge containing heavy metals in a long-term experiment. Due to the reduced number of indigenous AM fungal (AMF) propagules in the experimental soils, several host plants with different life cycles were used to multiply indigenous fungi. Six AMF ecotypes were found in the experimental soils, showing consistent differences with regard to their tolerance to the presence of heavy metals. AMF ecotypes ranged from very sensitive to the presence of metals to relatively tolerant to high rates of heavy metals in soil. Total AMF spore numbers decreased with increasing amounts of heavy metals in the soil. However, species richness and diversity as measured by the Shannon-Wiener index increased in soils receiving intermediate rates of sludge contamination but decreased in soils receiving the highest rate of heavy-metal-contaminated sludge. Relative densities of most AMF species were also significantly influenced by soil treatments. Host plant species exerted a selective influence on AMF population size and diversity. We conclude based on the results of this study that size and diversity of AMF populations were modified in metal-polluted soils, even in those with metal concentrations that were below the upper limits accepted by the European Union for agricultural soils.


2005 ◽  
Vol 85 (1) ◽  
pp. 15-21 ◽  
Author(s):  
D. D. Douds Jr. ◽  
G. Nagahashi ◽  
P. E. Pfeffer ◽  
W. M. Kayser ◽  
C. Reider

Arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi colonize the roots of the majority of crop plants, forming a symbiosis that potentially enhances nutrient uptake, pest resistance, water relations, and soil aggregation. Inoculation with effective isolates of AM fungi is one way of ensuring the potential benefits of the symbiosis for plant production. Although inocula are available commercially, on-farm production of AM fungus inoculum would save farmers the associated processing and shipping costs. In addition, farmers could produce locally adapted isolates and generate a taxonomically diverse inoculum. On-farm inoculum production methods entail increasing inoculated isolates or indigenous AM fungi in fumigated or unfumigated field soil, respectively, or transplanting pre-colonized host plants into compost-based substrates. Subsequent delivery of the inoculum with seed to the planting hole in the field presents technological barriers that make these methods more viable in labor-intensive small farms. However, a readily available method for utilization of these inocula is mixing them into potting media for growth of vegetable seedlings for transplant to the field. Direct application of these inocula to the field and transplant of seedlings precolonized by these inocula have resulted in enhanced crop growth and yield. Key words: AM fungi, sustainable agriculture, biofertilizer


2013 ◽  
Vol 79 (6) ◽  
pp. 1813-1820 ◽  
Author(s):  
Joshua B. Gurtler ◽  
David D. Douds ◽  
Brian P. Dirks ◽  
Jennifer J. Quinlan ◽  
April M. Nicholson ◽  
...  

ABSTRACTA study was conducted to determine the influence of arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi onSalmonellaand enterohemorrhagicEscherichia coliO157:H7 (EHEC) in autoclaved soil and translocation into leek plants. Six-week-old leek plants (with [Myc+] or without [Myc−] AM fungi) were inoculated with composite suspensions ofSalmonellaor EHEC at ca. 8.2 log CFU/plant into soil. Soil, root, and shoot samples were analyzed for pathogens on days 1, 8, 15, and 22 postinoculation. Initial populations (day 1) were ca. 3.1 and 2.1 log CFU/root, ca. 2.0 and 1.5 log CFU/shoot, and ca. 5.5 and 5.1 CFU/g of soil forSalmonellaand EHEC, respectively. Enrichments indicated that at days 8 and 22, only 31% of root samples were positive for EHEC, versus 73% positive forSalmonella. The meanSalmonellalevel in soil was 3.4 log CFU/g at day 22, while EHEC populations dropped to ≤0.75 log CFU/g by day 15. Overall,Salmonellasurvived in a greater number of shoot, root, and soil samples, compared with the survival of EHEC. EHEC was not present in Myc− shoots after day 8 (0/16 samples positive); however, EHEC persisted in higher numbers (P= 0.05) in Myc+ shoots (4/16 positive) at days 15 and 22.Salmonella, likewise, survived in statistically higher numbers of Myc+ shoot samples (8/8) at day 8, compared with survival in Myc− shoots (i.e., only 4/8). These results suggest that AM fungi may potentially enhance the survival ofE. coliO157:H7 andSalmonellain the stems of growing leek plants.


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