A simple and inexpensive method for producing and maintaining closed pot cultures of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi

Trials and experiments were carried out to develop and test a simple and inexpensive method for producing and maintaining pot cultures of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi. A commercially available, transparent bag, incorporating a micro-filter to allow gaseous exchange, was successfully tested, and found to satisfy the basic requirements of low cost, ready availability, ease of use, and adaptability. Pot cultures were produced and maintained in various substrates with several different plants. The system can be used for producing trap cultures, or for initiating and maintaining pure (multi- and single-spore) ramets of mycorrhizal members of the Glomales in growth chambers and greenhouses. As well as providing a means for maintaining fungal ramet purity, the system has the advantage of requiring less watering and maintenance than open pot cultures.

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Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi promote the growth of plants in the mining associated clay

Scientific Reports ◽

10.1038/s41598-020-59447-9 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 10 (1) ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Ziheng Song ◽

Yinli Bi ◽

Jian Zhang ◽

Yunli Gong ◽

Huihui Yang

Keyword(s):

Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi ◽

Mycorrhizal Fungi ◽

Structural Equation ◽

Large Scale ◽

Low Cost ◽

Eastern China ◽

Arbuscular Mycorrhizal ◽

Open Pit ◽

Open Pit Mining ◽

Amf Inoculation

Abstract It is urgent to restore the ecological function in open-pit mining areas on grassland in Eastern China. The open-pit mines have abundant of mining associated clay, which is desirable for using as a soil source for ecological restoration. The mining associated clay in Hulunbuir district, Inner Mongolia was selected and mixed with a sandy soil at a ratio of 1:1 (S_C soil). Also, effects of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) inoculation on soil functions were studied. The aboveground and underground biomass of maize in S_C soil was 1.49 and 2.41 times higher than that of clay soil, respectively. In the topsoil and S_C soil, the growth hormone (IAA) and cytokinin (CTK) levels of maize were higher than that of clay, while abscission acid (ABA) levels were lower. The inoculation with AMF could significantly improve the biomass of maize and enhance the stress resistance of plants. Through structural equation model (SEM) analyses, it was found that the soil type and AMF inoculation had the most direct impact on maize growth and biomass content. These finds extend our knowledge regarding a low-cost method for physical and biological improvement of mining associated clay, and to provide theoretical support for large-scale application in the future.

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Bacteria Associated with Spores of the Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi Glomus geosporum and Glomus constrictum

Applied and Environmental Microbiology ◽

10.1128/aem.71.11.6673-6679.2005 ◽

2005 ◽

Vol 71 (11) ◽

pp. 6673-6679 ◽

Cited By ~ 83

Author(s):

David Roesti ◽

Kurt Ineichen ◽

Olivier Braissant ◽

Dirk Redecker ◽

Andres Wiemken ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi ◽

Mycorrhizal Fungi ◽

Denaturing Gradient Gel Electrophoresis ◽

Plantago Lanceolata ◽

Arbuscular Mycorrhizal ◽

Spore Wall ◽

Wall Layer ◽

Single Spore ◽

Bacterial Populations ◽

Glomus Geosporum

ABSTRACT Spores of the arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) Glomus geosporum and Glomus constrictum were harvested from single-spore-derived pot cultures with either Plantago lanceolata or Hieracium pilosella as host plants. PCR-denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis analysis revealed that the bacterial communities associated with the spores depended more on AMF than host plant identity. The composition of the bacterial populations linked to the spores could be predominantly influenced by a specific spore wall composition or AMF exudate rather than by specific root exudates. The majority of the bacterial sequences that were common to both G. geosporum and G. constrictum spores were affiliated with taxonomic groups known to degrade biopolymers (Cellvibrio, Chondromyces, Flexibacter, Lysobacter, and Pseudomonas). Scanning electron microscopy of G. geosporum spores revealed that these bacteria are possibly feeding on the outer hyaline spore layer. The process of maturation and eventual germination of AMF spores might then benefit from the activity of the surface microorganisms degrading the outer hyaline wall layer.

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Alternative and safe dyes for staining Arbuscular Mycorrhizal fungi

Revista Ibero-Americana de Ciências Ambientais ◽

10.6008/cbpc2179-6858.2020.007.0032 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 11 (7) ◽

pp. 400-408

Author(s):

Marcos Diones Ferreira Santana ◽

Túlio Silva Lara ◽

Sheyla Regina Marques Couceiro

Keyword(s):

Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi ◽

Mycorrhizal Fungi ◽

Trypan Blue ◽

Organic Dyes ◽

Low Cost ◽

Arbuscular Mycorrhizal ◽

Am Fungi ◽

Euterpe Oleracea ◽

Study And Teaching ◽

Euterpe Oleracea Mart

Several methodologies are available for the study of Arbuscular Mycorrhizal fungi (AM). Most involving the colouring of typical symbiosis structures, with the use of dyes such as Trypan Blue, which can be harmful to users' health (e.g., carcinogens) and the environment (e.g., pollutants). In order to use safe alternatives for AM fungi studies, a comparison and analysis of the use of industrial organic food dyes (Arcólor®) in blue and red colours, organic dye based on Euterpe oleracea Mart. pulp (açaí) and the traditional Trypan Blue (control), all of them diluted in commercial vinegar, for observation and quantification of the typical structures of mycorrhizal infection in the roots of Vigna unguiculata L., Schizolobium amazonicum Huber ex Ducke, Zea mays L. and Brachiaria sp. The results indicated that the organic dyes visually colour the structures of the AM fungi. However, blue food colouring is as effective as Trypan Blue, in addition to being a good option in teaching activities evolving AM fungi, mainly because it presents less risk to users' health. Thus, a good substitute for the Trypan Blue synthetic dye is presented, based on an effective, easily applicable, low cost and safe methodology for the study and teaching of AM fungi.

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