The Success of Root Cuttings is Endangered Kalapi (Kalappia celebica Kosterm.) by Giving Rootone-F Growth Regulator

Kalapi (Kalappia celebica Kosterm.) is endemic in Sulawesi and Endangered species. Plant propagation needs to be done but is constrained by limited seeds. Vegetative propagation of plants can be an alternative method such as using the root cutting technique that has been done previously on other types of species. This study aims to determine the success of vegetative propagation of kalapi (K. celebica), an endangered tree species by root cuttings using Rootone F. as root growth regulator. The research took place from March to June 2019 conducted at the plastic house of the Indonesian Mycorrhizal Association (AMI) Southeast Sulawesi Branch, Kendari. This study used a Randomized Block Design (RBD) consisting of 6 treatments of Rootone-F concentration : (a) 0 ppm, (b) 100 ppm, (c) 200 ppm, (d) 300 ppm, (e) 400 ppm and (f) 500 ppm. Each treatment was repeated three times and three units of the plant so that the total experimental unit used was 54 units. The results showed that the provision of Rootone-F could increase the success of the growth of kalapi root cuttings. Rootone-F concentration of 500 ppm gives the best results on the percentage of cuttings, percentage of sprouts, percentage of roots, number of shoots and shoot dry weight. The results showed that kalapi can be propagated by root cuttings.

Warming effects on biomass allocation are jointly regulated by precipitation and mycorrhizal association in terrestrial plants

Biomass allocation in plants is fundamental for understanding and predicting terrestrial carbon storage. Recent studies suggest that climate warming can differentially affect root and shoot biomass, and subsequently alter root: shoot ratio. However, warming effects on root: shoot ratio and their underlying drivers at a global scale remain unclear. Using a global synthesis of >300 studies, we here show that warming significantly increases biomass allocation to roots (by 13.1%), and two factors drive this response: mean annual precipitation of the site, and the type of mycorrhizal fungi associated with a plant. Warming-induced allocation to roots is greater in relatively drier habitats compared to shoots (by 15.1%), but lower in wetter sites (by 4.9%), especially for plants associated with arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi compared to ectomycorrhizal fungi. Root-biomass responses to warming predominantly determine the biomass allocation in terrestrial plants suggesting that warming can reinforce the importance of belowground resource uptake. Our study highlights that the wetness or dryness of a site and plants’ mycorrhizal associations strongly regulate terrestrial carbon cycle by altering biomass allocation strategies in a warmer world.

Mycorrhizal Association in Wheat Genotypes Submitted to Variable Irrigation in the Brazilian Cerrado

Mycorrhizal association contributes to plant growth, influencing tolerance to abiotic stresses such as water deficit. There is considerable variation in infection by arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) in cultivars of the same crop, but there is little information regarding these differences in wheat. The objective of this work was to evaluate the influence of water deficit on the arbuscular mycorrhizal association in wheat genotypes in the Cerrado region and the association between soil attributes and mycorrhizal colonization. The experiment was conducted in a no-till system, using different water regimes. The experimental design was a randomized block with subdivided plots scheme, with 12 treatments and 3 repetitions. The plots consisted of 4 wheat genotypes and the subplots included 3 water regimes. Mycorrhizal colonization, soil microbial biomass carbon, total soil organic carbon, easily extractable glomalin-related soil protein, spore number and AMF species diversity were evaluated. Mycorrhizal colonization was not influenced by wheat genotypes, but it was favored by the higher water regime, being 44.8% higher when compared to the lower water regime. The soil moisture was positively correlated with the soil attributes with the exception of the number of AMF spores. The community of AMF associated with wheat genotypes was similar, comprising of 12 species, predominantly Claroideoglomus etunicatum and Glomus macrocarpum. The low variation among wheat genotypes for AMF diversity suggests no selective influence of the plants on the AMF community in the area of the study. Water regime was shown to be a dominant factor in mycorrhizal association.

Influence of fungicide and fertilizer amendments on mycorrhizal association in Quiona (Chenopodium quinoa. Willd.)

Effect of soil factor like alkaline cultivated versus saline non-cultivated soil, fertilization with organic (PYM) and inorganic (DAP) manure and addition of fungicides (Bavistin + Thiram, Difolatan and Thiram) on indigenous VA mycorrhizal fungi was examined in Quinoa (Chenopodium quinoa Willd). DAP in combination with Bavistin + Thiram enhanced the spore population ad decreased mycorrhizal formation. FYM in combination with Difolatan enhanced both. Adverse effects of fungicides were nullified by fertilizers. Activity of Glomus was enhanced in the presence of DAP and Gigaspora was favoured by FYM.

Effects of culture medium and temperature on fungal growth of Mycena and marasmioid isolates and in vitro symbiotic culture in mycoheterotrophic orchid, Gastrodia pubilabiata

In vitro symbiotic culture of Gastrodia pubilabiata seeds were conducted with the fungal isolates from G. pubilabiata roots. We obtained five fungal isolates, which belonged to Mycena, Marasmiaceae and Omphalotaceae. Firstly, optimal temperature and culture medium for subculture of these fungal isolates were examined. All five isolates grew the fastest on malt extract agar medium. Mycelial growth rate was highest at 25 °C between 10 °C and 40 °C. Secondly, we evaluated suitable culture vessels and organic materials for symbiotic culture. Seeds germinated well in petri dishes with Quercus leaf disc on water agar medium, and the seed germination process was well observed without dense mycelium. The most developed seedlings were found in glass bottles filled with Japanese cedar leaves, but densely grew mycelium prevent accurate seedling counts. Leaves of Quercus, Japanese cedar and bamboo were used as organic materials for symbiotic culture. All three leaves induced seed germination with Mycena and Marasmiaceae fungi, but material types affected subsequent seedling growth. Our method will contribute to understanding the mycorrhizal association of Gastrodia species and also other mycoheterotrophic plants.

Genotype-specific benefits and risks of a mutualist association during natural epidemics

While both plant-associated pathogenic and mutualistic microbes are ubiquitous across ecosystems, how they interact to determine disease risk in natural, genetically diverse populations is not known. To test whether mycorrhizal fungi provide protection against infection, and whether this functions in a genotype-specific manner, we conducted a field experiment in three naturally-occurring epidemics of a fungal pathogen, Podosphaera plantaginis, infecting a host plant, Plantago lanceolata, in the Åland Islands, Finland. In each population, we collected field epidemiological data on mycorrhizal-inoculated and non-mycorrhizal experimental plants originating from six allopatric populations. Mycorrhizal association caused host genotype-specific changes in growth and infection rates in the host populations, but reduced infection severity in hosts from every genetic origin. Protection occurred via changes in the relationship between growth and infection in the host individuals: mycorrhizal individuals grew larger without increasing their infection risk or load. More susceptible host genotypes received stronger protective effects from mycorrhizae. Our results show that mycorrhizal fungi produce host genotype-specific growth and defensive benefits and alter infection risks in wild host populations. Understanding how mutualism-derived protection alters host susceptibility to disease will be important for predicting infection outcomes in ecological communities and in agriculture.

Melanogaster coccolobae sp. nov. (Paxillaceae, Boletales), a tropical hypogeous fungus from the urban areas of Quintana Roo, Mexico

Background and Aims: The genus Melanogaster is characterized by its hypogeous to semi hypogeous habit, brownish basidiomata, gel-filled gleba locules, and globose to ellipsoid basidiospores. The genus is distributed in temperate zones, but sequences from Coccoloba root tips and a few basidiome collections have revealed its presence in the tropics. The aim of this article is to describe a new species of Melanogaster based on ecological, molecular, and morphological data. Methods: Specimens were collected in urban vegetation of Quintana Roo in the Yucatán Peninsula, Mexico. For morphological description, the classic protocols for sequestrate fungi were followed. The dried material was deposited in the mycological herbarium “José Castillo Tovar” of the Instituto Tecnológico de Ciudad Victoria (ITCV) and the herbarium of the Universidad Autónoma de Yucatán (UADY). Key results: Melanogaster coccolobae is presented as a new species from the urban gardens of Quintana Roo based on ecological, molecular, and morphological evidence. This species is characterized by its hypogeous to semi hypogeous basidioma, greyish orange, brown to reddish brown peridium composed of two layers, sweet smell, subglobose, ellipsoid or piriform basidiospores, and by its mycorrhizal association with Coccoloba spicata. Conclusions: Melanogaster coccolobae is the first species described from the Mexican Caribbean from urban gardens with Coccoloba spicata. More studies about the tropical sequestrate fungi are recommended.

Influence of Rhizobium and Mycorrhizae in the Production of Seedlings of Caesalpinia Spinosa L. Taya in San Pablo, Peru

This research study evaluated the symbiotic influence of Mycorrhizae in the production of propagating material of Caesalpinia Spinosa L. Taya, as well as the characterization of strains of mycorrhitic fungi in field, nursery, and laboratory work. No nodules were found as a product of nitrifying bacteria in the roots of plants Caesalpinea spinosa L., and ectomycorrhitic fungi were identified in the rhizosphere, such as Basidiomicetes and species of Rhizoctonia sp and Fusarium sp. From the evaluations, T4 exceeded all treatments, such as in height, neck diameter, number of leaves, root length, and the wet and dry weight of Taya seedling. In conclusion, we say that the Caesalpinia Spinosa L. Taya, despite of belonging to the legume family, does not present nodulation; but the presence of ectomycorrhitic fungi such as the basidiomicetes in the rhizosphere and high content of organic matter, positively influences the increase in the volume of seedling in the nursery, also reflected in the absorption of protein and phosphorus. Keywords: mycorrhizal association, seedlings, rhizobium. Resumen En el presente trabajo de investigación se evaluó la influencia simbiótica de micorrizas en la producción de plantones de Caesalpinea spinosa L. Taya, así como la caracterización de cepas de hongos micorríticos, realizándose el trabajo en campo, vivero, y laboratorio. No se encontró nódulos como producto de bacterias nitrificantes en las raíces de las plantas de Caesalpinea spinosa L., y se identificó hongos ectomicorríticos en la rizósfera, tales como Basidiomicetes y especies de Rhizoctonia sp y Fusarium sp. De las evaluaciones el T4, supera a todos los tratamientos como en altura, diámetro de cuello, número de hojas, longitud de raíz, peso húmedo y peso seco de plántula.Concluyendo finalmente, diremos que la Caesalpinea spinosa L. taya, a pesar de pertenecer a la familia de las Leguminosas no presenta nodulación; pero la presencia de los hongos ectomicorríticos como los basidiomicetes en la rizósfera y el alto contenido de materia orgánica, influye positivamente en el incremento del volumen de la plántula en vivero, reflejado también en la absorción de proteínas y fosforo. Palabras clave: asociación micorrítica, plantones, rizobium.