Mycorrhizal Fungal Partners Remain Constant during a Root Lifecycle of Pleione bulbocodioides (Orchidaceae)

Mycorrhizal mutualisms are vital for orchids through germination to adulthood. Fungal species diversity and community composition vary across seasons and plant development stages and affect plant survival, adaptation, and community maintenance. Knowledge of the temporal turnover of mycorrhizal fungi (OMF) remains poorly understood in the eco-physiologically diverse orchids (especially in epiphytic orchids), although it is important to understand the function and adaptation of mycorrhizae. Some species of Pleione are epiphytic plants with annual roots and may recruit different fungal partners during their root lifecycle. Based on continuous samplings of Pleione bulbocodioides during a whole root lifecycle, we characterized the fungal temporal dynamics using Illumina sequencing of the ITS2 region. Our data showed that the plants of P. bulbocodioides were quickly colonized by OMF at root emergence and had a constant OMF composition throughout one root lifecycle, although the OMF richness declined with root aging after a peak occurrence during root elongation. In contrast, the richness of root-inhabiting fungal endophytes kept increasing with root aging and more drastic turnovers were found in their species compositions. Our findings of OMF temporal turnover contribute to further understanding of mycorrhizal associations and adaptation of Orchidaceae and will benefit orchid resource conservation and utilization.

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Phylogenetic analysis of fungal aquaporins provides insight into their possible role in water transport of mycorrhizal associations

Botany ◽

10.1139/cjb-2013-0041 ◽

2013 ◽

Vol 91 (8) ◽

pp. 495-504 ◽

Cited By ~ 21

Author(s):

Hao Xu ◽

Janice E.K. Cooke ◽

Janusz J. Zwiazek

Keyword(s):

Water Transport ◽

Mycorrhizal Fungi ◽

Functional Characterization ◽

Arbuscular Mycorrhizal ◽

Gene Families ◽

Fungal Species ◽

Comparative Genomic ◽

Mycorrhizal Associations ◽

Insight Into

In mycorrhizal associations, water transport properties of the fungal hyphae may have a profound effect on water transport of the host plant. The importance of aquaporins, water-transporting members of the major intrinsic protein (MIP) family, in facilitating water transport has been widely acknowledged and extensively studied in plants. However, until recently, relatively little was known about the structure, function, and regulation of fungal MIPs. The rapid increase in the number of sequenced fungal genomes, including Laccaria bicolor and other mycorrhizal fungi, has enabled functional and comparative genomic investigations to delineate the role that fungal MIPs play in mycorrhizal-facilitated plant water transport. Phylogenic analysis of 229 fungal MIPs from 88 species revealed that MIPs of mycorrhizal fungal species fall into four clusters delineated by functionally characterized fungal MIPs: the orthodox aquaporins, the aquaglyceroporins, the facultative fungal aquaporins, and the X intrinsic proteins. This comparative genomics analysis, together with in silico structural characterization of predicted MIPs and recently published functional characterization of MIPs from a small number of ectomycorrhizal and arbuscular mycorrhizal species, provide new insight into MIP gene families of mycorrhizal fungi and possible roles for fungal aquaporins in water relations of mycorrhizal plant–fungus symbioses.

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Characterization of the Endophyte Mycobiome in Cowpea (Vigna Unguiculata) Using Illumina Sequencing

10.21203/rs.3.rs-668175/v1 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Tonjock R. Kinge ◽

S. Ghosh ◽

Errol Cason ◽

Marieka Gryzenhout

Keyword(s):

Low Income ◽

Phylogenetic Analyses ◽

Fungal Endophytes ◽

Illumina Miseq ◽

Fungal Species ◽

Small Scale ◽

Its2 Region ◽

Below Ground ◽

Generic Groups ◽

Small Scale Farmers

Abstract Cowpea is an important crop for small-scale farmers in poor areas, but is also being developed for commercial agriculture as a possible substitute for commercial legumes. Endophytic fungi are omnipresent and play crucial but diverse roles in plants. This study characterized the endophyte component of the cowpea mycobiome from leaves, main and crown stems, and roots using Illumina MiSeq of the ITS2 region of the ribosomal operon. Ascomycetes exhibited the highest diversity, with Molecular Operational Taxonomic Units (MOTUs) assigned as Macrophomina, Cladosporium, Phoma, Fusarium and Cryptococcus, among the most dominant genera. The highest fungal species richness was found in roots followed by leaves. Certain MOTUS showed preferential colonization patterns for above or below ground tissues. Several MOTU generic groups known to include phytopathogenic species were found, with relative abundances ranging from high to very low. Phylogenetic analyses of reads for some MOTUs showed that a level of identification could be obtained to species level, while the absences of other species, including phytopathogens, could be shown. This is the first study that adopted a holistic metagenomic typing approach to study the fungal endophytes of cowpea, a crop that is so integral for low-income households of the world.

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Influence of temperature on the mycorrhizal associations of Pinus radiata D. Don

Australian Journal of Botany ◽

10.1071/bt9710013 ◽

1971 ◽

Vol 19 (1) ◽

pp. 13 ◽

Cited By ~ 27

Author(s):

C Theodorou ◽

GD Bowen

Keyword(s):

Pinus Radiata ◽

Mycorrhizal Fungi ◽

Linear Growth ◽

Root Colonization ◽

Fungal Species ◽

Field Inoculation ◽

Mycorrhizal Associations ◽

Influence Of Temperature On ◽

Soil Temperatures ◽

Stimulate Plant Growth

The growth on Melin-Norkrans medium by 12 out of 13 isolates (five species) of mycorrhizal fungi declined rapidly between 20 and 16°C, as did colonization of the rhizosphere of Pinus radiata by four out of five isolates (three species). Mycorrhizal production in soil was optimal at 25° and declined markedly between 20 and 15°. Large differences occurred between strains within a fungal species in length of root colonized and in the intensity of growth on the root at 16°C. Extremely poor colonization by some fungi at 16° compared with 20° reveals a necessity to select fungi for field inoculation on the basis of root colonization at soil temperatures appropriate to the area and season as well as on ability to stimulate plant growth. The effect of tem- perature on the linear growth of different fungal isolates in a rich laboratory medium was a poor guide to their growth in the rhizosphere.

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Specificity of assemblage, not fungal partner species, explains mycorrhizal partnerships of mycoheterotrophic Burmannia plants

The ISME Journal ◽

10.1038/s41396-020-00874-x ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Zhongtao Zhao ◽

Xiaojuan Li ◽

Ming Fai Liu ◽

Vincent S. F. T. Merckx ◽

Richard M. K. Saunders ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Mycorrhizal Fungi ◽

Arbuscular Mycorrhizal ◽

Fungal Species ◽

Mycorrhizal Associations ◽

Fungal Partner ◽

Gradual Loss ◽

Fungal Assemblages ◽

Fungal Associations ◽

Mycorrhizal Interactions ◽

Species Specific

AbstractMycoheterotrophic plants (MHPs) growing on arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) usually maintain specialized mycorrhizal associations. The level of specificity varies between MHPs, although it remains largely unknown whether interactions with mycorrhizal fungi differ by plant lineage, species, and/or by population. Here, we investigate the mycorrhizal interactions among Burmannia species (Burmanniaceae) with different trophic modes using high-throughput DNA sequencing. We characterized the inter- and intraspecific dynamics of the fungal communities by assessing the composition and diversity of fungi among sites. We found that fully mycoheterotrophic species are more specialized in their fungal associations than chlorophyllous species, and that this specialization possibly results from the gradual loss of some fungal groups. In particular, although many fungal species were shared by different Burmannia species, fully MHP species typically host species-specific fungal assemblages, suggesting that they have a preference for the selected fungi. Although no apparent cophylogenetic relationship was detected between fungi and plants, we observe that evolutionarily closely related plants tend to have a greater proportion of shared or closely related fungal partners. Our findings suggest a host preference and specialization toward fungal assemblages in Burmannia, improving understanding of interactions between MHPs and fungi.

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Food preferences of a fungal-feeding Aphelenchoides species

Nematology ◽

10.1163/156854100508962 ◽

2000 ◽

Vol 2 (2) ◽

pp. 223-230 ◽

Cited By ~ 51

Author(s):

Liliane Ruess ◽

Erick J. Garcia Zapata ◽

John Dighton

Keyword(s):

Mycorrhizal Fungi ◽

Food Source ◽

Food Preferences ◽

Fungal Species ◽

Fungal Host ◽

Toxic Metabolites ◽

Mycorrhizal Associations ◽

Marked Preference ◽

Choice Chamber

Abstract The growth of Aphelenchoides sp. populations was investigated in vitro with 17 different fungal species as food source. Nematode mass cultures were obtained with saprophytic (Agrocybe, Chaetomium) and especially with mycorrhizal fungi (Cenococcum, Hymenoscyphus, Laccaria). Mitosporic species, like Alternaria, Monocillium or Penicillium, were generally meagre or non-hosts. This poor host suitability is likely due to the release of toxic metabolites (e.g. antibiotics) and/or to morphological differences (e.g., forming of conidiophores) by the fungi. Frequent grazing of nematodes on mycorrhizal mycelia may be of major significance for the establishment and maintenance of mycorrhizal associations in the field. Food preference of Aphelenchoides sp. was tested in choice chamber experiments. Nematodes showed a marked preference for particular fungal species. They changed food source with time, indicating a “mixed diet” selection, probably a strategy to avoid the concentration of toxic metabolites. The attractiveness of a fungus was not necessarily correlated with its suitability as a host. That a poor fungal host can be a strong nematode attractant and influence their spatial distribution in the soil has implications for nematode populations in the field. In Laborexperimenten wurde die Vermehrung des Nematoden Aphelenchoides sp. mit 17 verschiedenen Pilzspezies als Nahrungsgrundlage untersucht. Neben saprophytischen Arten (Agrocybe, Chaetomium) eigneten sich insbesondere Mykorrhizapilze (Cenococcum, Hymenoscyphus, Laccaria) für eine Massenvermehrung. Eine schlechte Nahrungsquelle stellten mitosporische Arten, wie Alternaria, Monocillium oder Penicillium, dar. Dies dürfte auf toxische Stoffwechselprodukte (z.B., Antibiotika) und/oder auf morphologische Unterschiede (z.B., Sporenbildung) zurückzuführen sein. Die gute Vermehrung der Nematoden an Mykorrhizapilzen ist von weitreichender Bedeutung für das Freiland. Negative Auswirkungen auf die Ausbildung und Funktion von Mykorrhiza im Boden sind zu erwarten. In Nahrungswahlexperimenten zeigte Aphelenchoides sp. eine ausgeprägte Präferenz für bestimmte Pilzarten. Das Wechseln zwischen den einzelnen Pilzspezies weist auf die Bevorzugung von “Mischnahrung” hin. Dies dürfte eine Strategie zur Vermeidung von hohen Konzentrationen toxischer Nahrungsbestandteile sein. Präferenz und Nahrungsqualität standen nur in geringem Zusammenhang. Somit können auch Pilze, die eine schlechte Nahrungsquelle darstellen, attraktiv auf Nematoden wirken und deren Verbreitung in Boden und Rhizosphäre beeinflussen.

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Inoculation with Ericoid Mycorrhizal Associations Alleviates Drought Stress in Lowland and Upland Velvetleaf Blueberry (Vaccinium myrtilloides) Seedlings

Plants ◽

10.3390/plants10122786 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 10 (12) ◽

pp. 2786

Author(s):

Deyu Mu ◽

Ning Du ◽

Janusz J. Zwiazek

Keyword(s):

Drought Stress ◽

Drought Resistance ◽

Mycorrhizal Fungi ◽

Fungal Species ◽

The North ◽

Mycorrhizal Associations ◽

Oidiodendron Maius ◽

Drought Survival ◽

Vaccinium Myrtilloides

Although velvetleaf blueberry (Vaccinium myrtilloides) is usually associated with sandy (upland) areas of the North American boreal forest, lowland populations can be also found in bogs, suggesting possible adaptations to different site conditions. In this study, we examined the role of ericoid mycorrhizal (ERM) fungi in conferring drought resistance to the upland and lowland velvetleaf blueberry seedlings. The seedlings were inoculated with four ERM fungi (Pezicula ericae, Pezoloma ericae, Meliniomyces variabilis, and Oidiodendron maius) isolated from the roots of ericaceous plants and grown under controlled environmental conditions in sterilized soil. The inoculated and non-inoculated (inoculation control) plants were subsequently subjected to three cycles of drought stress by withdrawing watering. Lowland plants appeared to benefit relatively more from mycorrhizal colonization, compared with the upland plants, in terms of plant growth and drought survival. After three weeks of treatments, the dry weights of non-inoculated well-watered upland plants were higher compared to the non-inoculated lowland plants. However, these differences were offset by the inoculation of plants with ERM fungi, some of which also significantly improved drought resistance characteristics of the upland and lowland plants. There were no major differences in the effects of different ERM fungal species on drought responses of upland and lowland plants. Of the examined ericoid mycorrhizal fungi, inoculation with Pezicula ericae was the most effective in conferring drought resistance characteristics to both upland and lowland seedlings and helped maintain higher shoot water potentials, net photosynthetic, and transpiration rates in plants subjected to drought stress.

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Temporal dynamics of mycorrhizal fungal communities and co-associations with grassland plant communities following experimental manipulation of rainfall

10.32942/osf.io/t82ug ◽

2019 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Coline Deveautour ◽

Sally Power ◽

Kirk Barnett ◽

Raul Ochoa-Hueso ◽

Suzanne Donn ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Community Composition ◽

Plant Community ◽

Plant Communities ◽

Fungal Community ◽

Mycorrhizal Fungi ◽

Temporal Dynamics ◽

Arbuscular Mycorrhizal ◽

Fungal Communities ◽

Plant Responses ◽

Rainfall Regimes

Climate models project overall a reduction in rainfall amounts and shifts in the timing of rainfall events in mid-latitudes and sub-tropical dry regions, which threatens the productivity and diversity of grasslands. Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi may help plants to cope with expected changes but may also be impacted by changing rainfall, either via the direct effects of low soil moisture on survival and function or indirectly via changes in the plant community. In an Australian mesic grassland (former pasture) system, we characterised plant and arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungal communities every six months for nearly four years to two altered rainfall regimes: i) ambient, ii) rainfall reduced by 50% relative to ambient over the entire year and iii) total summer rainfall exclusion. Using Illumina sequencing, we assessed the response of AM fungal communities sampled from contrasting rainfall treatments and evaluated whether variation in AM fungal communities was associated with variation in plant community richness and composition. We found that rainfall reduction influenced the fungal communities, with the nature of the response depending on the type of manipulation, but that consistent results were only observed after more than two years of rainfall manipulation. We observed significant co-associations between plant and AM fungal communities on multiple dates. Predictive co-correspondence analyses indicated more support for the hypothesis that fungal community composition influenced plant community composition than vice versa. However, we found no evidence that altered rainfall regimes were leading to distinct co-associations between plants and AM fungi. Overall, our results provide evidence that grassland plant communities are intricately tied to variation in AM fungal communities. However, in this system, plant responses to climate change may not be directly related to impacts of altered rainfall regimes on AM fungal communities. Our study shows that AM fungal communities respond to changes in rainfall but that this effect was not immediate. The AM fungal community may influence the composition of the plant community. However, our results suggest that plant responses to altered rainfall regimes at our site may not be resulting via changes in the AM fungal communities.

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Occurrence of Vesicular-Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi in Alberta, Canada

Zeitschrift für Naturforschung C ◽

10.1515/znc-1993-11-1216 ◽

1993 ◽

Vol 48 (11-12) ◽

pp. 923-929 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

S. M. Boyetchko ◽

J. P. Tewari

Keyword(s):

Electron Microscopy ◽

Scanning Electron Microscopy ◽

Mycorrhizal Fungi ◽

Arbuscular Mycorrhizal ◽

Fungal Species ◽

Glomus Aggregatum ◽

X Ray ◽

Vesicular Arbuscular ◽

Spore Walls ◽

Scanning Electron

Abstract Three V A mycorrhizal fungal species were isolated from soils in Alberta, Canada and examined by scanning electron microscopy and energy-dispersive X-ray microanalysis. Mature spores of Glomus aggregatum developed an outer hyaline wall which contained lower levels of calcium than the middle wall. Examination of G. pansihalos spores revealed a lower level of calcium in the outer evanescent wall as compared to the ornamented wall. When spores of Entrophospora infrequens were examined, the wall of the vesicle was found to contain similar levels of calcium as the ornamented wall of the spore. The significance of the results concerning the presence of calcium in mycorrhizal spore walls is discussed, as is the occurrence of the mycorrhizal species.

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Vesicular–arbuscular endomycorrhizal associations of some desert plants of Baja California

Canadian Journal of Botany ◽

10.1139/b81-144 ◽

1981 ◽

Vol 59 (6) ◽

pp. 1056-1060 ◽

Cited By ~ 22

Author(s):

Sharon L. Rose

Keyword(s):

Mycorrhizal Fungi ◽

Sonoran Desert ◽

Baja California ◽

Fungal Spores ◽

Desert Plants ◽

Endemic Plants ◽

Mycorrhizal Associations ◽

Glomus Spp ◽

Vesicular Arbuscular ◽

Va Mycorrhizal Fungi

Endemic plants of the Sonoran Desert of Baja California were sampled for mycorrhizal associations. Eight of the 10 plant species examined were colonized by vesicular–arbuscular (VA) mycorrhizal fungi. Soil sievings revealed chlamydospores of three VA mycorrhizal Glomus spp.; G. microcarpus, G. fasciculatus, and G. macrocarpus. At the time of sampling, the populations of VA fungal spores in the soil were low, with one to five chlamydospores per 100 g soil sample.

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Seasonal Diversity of Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi in Mangroves of Goa, India

International Journal of Biodiversity ◽

10.1155/2013/196527 ◽

2013 ◽

Vol 2013 ◽

pp. 1-7 ◽

Cited By ~ 12

Author(s):

James D’Souza ◽

Bernard Felinov Rodrigues

Keyword(s):

Species Richness ◽

Mycorrhizal Fungi ◽

Monsoon Season ◽

Arbuscular Mycorrhizal ◽

Fungal Spore ◽

Fungal Species ◽

Spore Density ◽

Species Variation ◽

Fungal Community Composition ◽

Mangrove Plant

Seasonal dynamics of arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungal community composition in three common mangrove plant species, namely, Acanthus ilicifolius, Excoecaria agallocha, and Rhizophora mucronata, from two sites in Goa, India, were investigated. In all three species variation in AM fungal spore density was observed. Maximum spore density and AM species richness were recorded in the premonsoon season, while minimum spore density and richness were observed during monsoon season at both sites. A total of 11 AM fungal species representing five genera were recorded. Acaulospora laevis was recorded in all seasons at both sites. Multivariate analysis revealed that season and host coaffected AM spore density and species richness with the former having greater influence than the latter.

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