The role of mycorrhizal infection in the resistance of Vaccinium macrocarpon to manganese

The role of mycorrhizal infection in the resistance of Vaccinium macrocarpon to manganese was investigated in perlite culture containing nutrient solution amended with Mn at 0, 250, 500 or 1000 g/ml. Shoot and root dry weights of the mycorrhizal plants were higher than nonmycorrhizal plants. The mycorrhizal plants produced significantly longer main roots than the nonmycorrhizal plants. Differences between shoot and root Mn concentrations of mycorrhizal and nonmycorrhizal plants arose by reduction of Mn in the leaves of mycorrhizal plants and a corresponding increase in root tissues.     

Effects of a vesicular-arbuscular mycorrhizal fungus and other soil microorganisms on growth,mineral nutrient acquisition and root exudation of soil-grown maize plants

Maize (Zea mays L. cv. Alize) plants were grown in a calcareous soil in pots divided by 30-m nylon nets into three compartments, the central one for root growth and the outer ones for hyphal growth. Sterle soil was inoculated with either (1) rhizosphere microorganisms other than vesicular-arbuscular mycorrhizal (VAM) fungi, (2) rhizosphere microorganisms together with a VAM fungus [Glomus mosseae (Nicol. and Gerd.) Gerdemann and Trappel], or (3) with a gamma-irradiated inoculum as control. Plants were grown under controlled-climate conditions and harvested after 3 or 6 weeks. VAM plants had higher shootroot ratios than non-VAM plants. After 6 weeks, the concentrations of P, Zn and Cu in roots and shoots had significantly increased with VAM colonization, whereas Mn concentrations had significantly decreased. Root exudates were collected on agar sheets placed on the interface between root and hyphal compartments. Six-week-old VAM and non-VAM plants had similar root exudate compositions of 72–73% reducing sugars, 17–18% phenolics, 7% organic acids and 3% amino acids. In another experiment in which root exudates were collected on agar sheets with or without antibiotics, the amounts of amino acids and carbohydrates recovered were similar in VAM and non-VAM plants. However, threeto sixfold higher amounts of carbohydrates, amino acids and phenolics were recovered when antibiotics were added to the agar sheets. Thus, the high microbial activity in the rhizosphere and on the rhizoplane limits the exudates recovered from roots.     

Contribution of an arbuscular mycorrhizal fungus to the uptake of cadmium and nickel in bean and maize plants

Two experiments were carried out in pots with three compartments, a central one for root and hyphal growth and two outer ones which were accessible only for hyphae of the arbuscular mycorrhizal fungus, Glomus mosseae ([Nicol. and Gerd.] Gerdemann and Trappe). In the first experiment, mycorrhizal and nonmycorrhizal bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) plants were grown in two soils with high geogenic cadmium (Cd) or nickel (Ni) contents. In the second experiment, mycorrhizal and nonmycorrhizal maize (Zea mays L.) or bean plants were grown in a non-contaminated soil in the central compartment, and either the Cd- or Ni-rich soil in the outer compartments. In additional pots, mycorrhizal plants were grown without hyphal access to the outer compartments. Root and shoot dry weight was not influenced by mycorrhizal inoculation, but plant uptake of metals was significantly different between mycorrhizal and nonmycorrhizal plants. In the first experiment, the contribution of mycorrhizal fungi to plant uptake accounted for up to 37% of the total Cd uptake by bean plants, for up to 33% of the total copper (Cu) uptake and up to 44% of the total zinc (Zn) uptake. In contrast, Ni uptake in shoots and roots was not increased by mycorrhizal inoculation. In the second experiment, up to 24% of the total Cd uptake and also up to 24% of the total Cu uptake by bean could be attributed to mycorrhizal colonisation and delivery by hyphae from the outer compartments. In maize, the mycorrhizal colonisation and delivery by hyphae accounted for up to 41% of the total Cd uptake and 19% of the total Cu uptake. Again, mycorrhizal colonisation did not contribute to Ni uptake by bean or maize. The results demonstrate that the arbuscular mycorrhizal fungus contributed substantially not only to Cu and Zn uptake, but also to uptake of Cd (but not Ni) by plants from soils rich in these metal cations. Deceased 21 September 1996 Deceased 21 September 1996     

Arbuscular mycorrhizal contribution to heavy metal uptake by maize (Zea mays L.) in pot culture with contaminated soil

In two pot-culture experiments with maize in a silty loam (P2 soil) contaminated by atmospheric deposition from a metal smelter, root colonization with indigenous or introduced arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi and their influence on plant metal uptake (Cd, Zn, Cu, Pb, Mn) were investigated. Soil was -irradiated for the nonmycorrhizal control. In experiment 1, nonirradiated soil provided the mycorrhizal treatment, whereas in experiment 2 the irradiated soil was inoculated with spores of a fungal culture from P2 soil or a laboratory reference culture, Glomus mosseae. Light intensity was considerably higher in experiment 2 and resulted in a fourfold higher shoot and tenfold higher root biomass. Under the conditions of experiment 1, biomass was significantly higher and Cd, Cu, Zn and Mn concentrations significantly lower in the mycorrhizal plants than in the nonmycorrhizal plants, suggesting a protection against metal toxicity. In contrast, in experiment 2, biomass did not differ between treatments and only Cu root concentration was decreased with G. mosseae-inoculated plants, whereas Cu shoot concentration was significantly increased with the indigenous P2 fungal culture. The latter achieved a significantly higher root colonization than G. mosseae (31.7 and 19.1%, respectively) suggesting its higher metal tolerance. Zn shoot concentration was higher in both mycorrhizal treatments and Pb concentrations, particularly in the roots, also tended to increase with mycorrhizal colonization. Cd concentrations were not altered between treatments. Cu and Zn, but not Pb and Cd root-shoot translocation increased with mycorrhizal colonization. The results show that the influence of AM on plant metal uptake depends on plant growth conditions, on the fungal partner and on the metal, and cannot be generalized. It is suggested that metal-tolerant mycorrhizal inoculants might be considered for soil reclamation, since under adverse conditions AM may be more important for plant metal resistance. Under the optimized conditions of normal agricultural practice, however, AM colonization even may increase plant metal absorption from polluted soils.     

Moisture retention properties of a mycorrhizal soil

The water relations of arbuscular mycorrhizal plants have been compared often, but virtually nothing is known about the comparative water relations of mycorrhizal and nonmycorrhizal soils. Mycorrhizal symbiosis typically affects soil structure, and soil structure affects water retention properties; therefore, it seems likely that mycorrhizal symbiosis may affect soil water relations. We examined the water retention properties of a Sequatchie fine sandy loam subjected to three treatments: seven months of root growth by (1) nonmycorrhizal Vigna unguiculata given low phosphorus fertilization, (2) nonmycorrhizal Vigna unguiculata given high phosphorus fertilization, (3) Vigna unguiculata colonized by Glomus intraradices and given low phosphorus fertilization. Mycorrhization of soil had a slight but significant effect on the soil moisture characteristic curve. Once soil matric potential (_m) began to decline, changes in _m per unit change in soil water content were smaller in mycorrhizal than in the two nonmycorrhizal soils. Within the range of about –1 to –5 MPa, the mycorrhizal soil had to dry more than the nonmycorrhizal soils to reach the same _m. Soil characteristic curves of nonmycorrhizal soils were similar, whether they contained roots of plants fed high or low phosphorus. The mycorrhizal soil had significantly more water stable aggregates and substantially higher extraradical hyphal densities than the nonmycorrhizal soils. Importantly, we were able to factor out the possibly confounding influence of differential root growth among mycorrhizal and nonmycorrhizal soils. Mycorrhizal symbiosis affected the soil moisture characteristic and soil structure, even though root mass, root length, root surface area and root volume densities were similar in mycorrhizal and nonmycorrhizal soils.     

Endomycorrhizal fungal species mediate 15N transfer from soybean to maize in non-fumigated soil

The effect of mycorrhizal inoculation on ¹⁵N transfer from soybean to maize was studied in fumigated and non-fumigated soil. Three Glomus species and a non-inoculated control were compared.In spite of higher levels of root colonization and more abundant hyphae associated with plants growing in fumigated soil, mycorrhizae-enhanced ¹⁵N transfer to maize was significant only in non-fumigated plots. High ¹⁵N transfer was not only associated with high mycelium density in soil but also with low soil microbial carbon, suggesting that the effect of mycorrhizal fungi on soil microbial populations may be an important factor affecting N transfer between mycorrhizal plants.     

Root exudation from Leucaena leucocephala in relation to mycorrhizal colonization

Lower amounts of root eduxates (13 mg/g dry root) emerged from leucaena plants inoculated with the mycorrhizal fungus, Glomus fasciculatum, than uninoculated plants (21 mg/g dry root). Mycorrhizal plants exuded less K⁺, P_i and sugars (mainly glucose) but more protein, nitrogen, phenolics and gibberellins than uninoculated plants. Glycine, alanine, cysteine, arginine, tryptophan and valine occurred only in the root exudates of the former. Uninoculated plants exuded more of a root-elongation inhibitory substance than the uninoculated ones.R.J. Mada and D.J. Bagyaraj are with the Department of Agricultural Microbiology, University of Agricultural Sciences, GKVK Campus, Bangalore 560065, India.     

Influence of Mycorrhizal Fungus, Phosphorus,and Burrowing Nematode Interactions on Growth of Rough Lemon Citrus Seedlings

Rough lemon seedlings were grown in mycorrhizal-infested or phosphorus-amended soil (25 and 300 mg P/kg) in greenhouse experiments. Plants Were inoculated with the citrus burrowing nematode, Radopholus citrophilus (0, 50, 100, or 200 nematodes per pot). Six months later, mycorrhizal plants and nonmycorrhizal, high-P plants had larger shoot and root weights than did non-mycorrhizal, low-P plants. Burrowing nematode population densities were lower in roots of mycorrhizal or nonmycorrhizal, high-P plants than in roots of nonmycorrhizal, low-P plants; however, differences in plant growth between mycorrhizal and nonmycorrhizal plants were not significant with respect to initial nematode inoculum densities. Phosphorus content in leaf tissue was significantly greater in mycorrhizal and nonmycorrhizal, high-P plants compared with nonmycorrhizal, low-P plants. Nutrient concentrations of K, Mg, and Zn were unaffected by nematode parasitism, whereas P, Ca, Fe, and Mn were less in nematode-infected plants. Enhanced growth associated with root colonization by the mycorrhizal fungus appeared to result from improved P nutrition and not antagonism between the fungus and the nematode.     

Controls for rhizosphere microorganisms to study effects of vesicular-arbuscular mycorrhizae on Artemisia tridentata

Seven treatments were set up to test the effects of vesicular-arbuscular (VA) mycorrhizal fungi and other rhizosphere microorganisms on the growth of Artemisia tridentata ssp. tridentata. Soil sievings had no significant effect on root or shoot mass. Spores and surface-sterile spores were a poor inoculum source, but roots and fresh soil caused 45–75% mycorrhizal infection. Whereas root-inoculated plants still had low growth responses by the end of the experiment, fresh soil inoculum caused the greatest response, and partial fresh inoculum caused a lesser response. These results suggest that fresh soil is an appropriate inoculum for this plant-fungal-soil system, and that the major effect on plant growth of the fresh soil inoculum is from the mycorrhizal fungi and not from the other microorganisms, because the sievings had no effect on plant growth. In addition, soil dilution plating of saprophytic fungi showed 85% species similarity between sterile and fresh soil inoculum by the end of the experiment. Since the effects of non-VA microorganisms are complex and varied, we suggest that researchers work out the type of mycorrhizal controls that best suit their system.     

Quantitative estimation of root exudation of maize plants

Summary The rate of root exudation of maize plants was estimated by measuring the rate of denitrification in a hermetically sealed root system. While CO₂ production measured in the rhizosphere results both from root respiration and microbial respiration N₂O production during nitrate respiration is solely related to the amount of root exudates available for bacterial degradation. With 4 week old plants growing in quartz sand or soil root exudation amounted to 7% of the net photosynthates. Calculations revealed that about 25% of the organic matter flowing into the root system was excreted into the rhizosphere.     

Growth response of marigold (Tagetes erecta L.) to inoculation withGlomus mosseae,Trichoderma aureoviride andPythium ultimum in a peat-perlite mixture

The interactions between the mycorrhizal fungusGlomus mosseae, the plant pathogenPythium ultimum, and a pathogen-antagonistTrichoderma aureoviride in the rhizosphere ofTagetes erecta (marigold) were studied for their effects on plant growth in a peat-perlite substrate. Mycorrhizal fungus inoculation protected the plant againstP. ultimum, since both phytomass production and foliar development were higher in mycorrhizal plants.T. aureoviride had no effect on nonmycorrhizal plants in the presence or absence ofP. ultimum. However, more biomass was produced by mycorrhizal plants whenT. aureoviride was present, whether or not soil was infested withP. ultimum. ei]R Rodriguez-Kabana     

Effects of liming and mycorrhizal colonization on soil phosphate depletion and phosphate uptake by maize (Zea mays L.) and soybean (Glycine max L.) grown in two tropical acid soils

The effects of liming and inoculation with the arbuscular mycorrhizal fungus, Glomus intraradices Schenck and Smith on the uptake of phosphate (P) by maize (Zea mays L.) and soybean (Glycine max [L.] Merr.) and on depletion of inorganic phosphate fractions in rhizosphere soil (Al-P, Fe-P, and Ca-P) were studied in flat plastic containers using two acid soils, an Oxisol and an Ultisol, from Indonesia. The bulk soil pH was adjusted in both soils to 4.7, 5.6, and 6.4 by liming with different amounts of CaCO₃.In both soils, liming increased shoot dry weight, total root length, and mycorrhizal colonization of roots in the two plant species. Mycorrhizal inoculation significantly increased root dry weight in some cases, but much more markedly increased shoot dry weight and P concentration in shoot and roots, and also the calculated P uptake per unit root length. In the rhizosphere soil of mycorrhizal and non-mycorrhizal plants, the depletion of Al-P, Fe-P, and Ca-P depended in some cases on the soil pH. At all pH levels, the extent of P depletion in the rhizosphere soil was greater in mycorrhizal than in non-mycorrhizal plants. Despite these quantitative differences in exploitation of soil P, mycorrhizal roots used the same inorganic P sources as non-mycorrhizal roots. These results do not suggest that mycorrhizal roots have specific properties for P solubilization. Rather, the efficient P uptake from soil solution by the roots determines the effectiveness of the use of the different soil P sources. The results indicate also that both liming and mycorrhizal colonization are important for enhancing P uptake and plant growth in tropical acid soils.     

Nitrogen nutrition,photosynthesis and carbon allocation in ectomycorrhizal pine

Summary Studies examined net photosynthesis (Pn) and dry matter production of mycorrhizal and nonmycorrhizalPinus taeda at 6 intervals over a 10-month period. Pn rates of mycorrhizal plants were consistently greater than nonmycorrhizal plants, and at 10 months were 2.1-fold greater. Partitioning of current photosynthate was examined by pulse-labelling with¹⁴CO₂ at each of the six time intervals. Mycorrhizal plants assimilated more¹⁴CO₂, allocated a greater percentage of assimilated¹⁴C to the root systems, and lost a greater percentage of¹⁴C by root respiration than did nonmycorrhizal plants. At 10 months, the quantity of¹⁴CO₂ respired by roots per unit root weight was 3.6-fold greater by mycorrhizal than nonmycorrhizal plants. Although the stimulation of photosynthesis and translocation of current photosynthate to the root system by mycorrhiza formation was consistent with the source-sink concept of sink demand, foliar N and P concentrations were also greater in mycorrhizal plants.Further studies examined Pn and dry matter production ofPinus contorta in response to various combinations of N fertilization (3, 62, 248 ppm), irradiance and mycorrhizal fungi inoculation. At 16 weeks of age, 6 weeks following inoculation with eitherPisolithus tinctorius orSuillus granulatus, Pn rates and biomass were significantly greater in mycorrhizal than nonmycorrhizal plants. Mycorrhizal plants had significantly greater foliar %P, but not %N, than did nonmycorrhizal plants. Fertilization with 62 ppm N resulted in greater mycorrhiza formation than either 3 or 248 ppm. Increased irradiance resulted in increased mycorrhiza formation.     

Evaluation of Bacillus thuringiensis bioinsecticidal protein effects on soil microorganisms

The effect of B. thuringiensis and its crystal protein on plant growth and on functional groups of microorganisms is not well understood. Soybean (Glycine max) var. Br 322 was grown in non-sterile soil infested with three B. thuringiensis (Bt) inocula: insecticidal crystal protein producer (Cry+), a mutant non-producer (Cry–), or insecticidal crystal protein (ICP), at a rate of 10⁷ cells g^–1 dry soil or 1.25 mg of protein g^–1 dry soil. Non-inoculated plants were maintained as control. Measurements were carried out on soil samples before sowing (time zero) and after sowing and inoculation (5, 15, 25, 35 and 45 d) on samples of rhizosphere soil. The effect of spore and crystal protein produced by B. thuringiensis on the populations of functional groups of microorganisms (bacteria including actinomycetes and fungi) involved in the biogeochemical cycling of carbon (cellulolytic, amylolytic and proteolytic), phosphorus (arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi), and nitrogen (number of nodules and proteolytic) were evaluated. Population sizes of culturable heterotrophic bacteria and saprophytic fungi were also evaluated. No difference was found in heterotrophic bacterial populations inoculated with B. thuringiensis. Difference was observed in functional groups of C-cycling microorganisms. Nodule formation and plant growth were increased by Cry+ strain and ICP when compared with uninoculated plants. Crystal protein did not show any effect on arbuscular mycorrhiza (AM) colonization. However, a deleterious effect was observed with Cry+ and Cry– strains that inhibited colonization of AM fungi when compared with uninoculated plants.     

Increased tolerance to the root-lesion nematode Pratylenchus vulnus in mycorrhizal micropropagated BA-29 quince rootstock

The interaction between Glomus intraradices and the root-lesion nematode Pratylenchus vulnus was studied on micropropagated BA-29 quince rootstock during one growing season. Inoculation with G. intraradices significantly increased growth of plants in low P soil and was more effective than P fertilization at increasing top-plant development. In the presence of the nematode, mycorrhizal plants achieved higher values in all growth parameters measured. P. vulnus caused a significant decrease in the percentage of root length colonized by G. intraradices and fewer internal vesicles were formed within the host roots. Enhanced root mass production accounted for the twofold increase in final nematode population recovered from plants with combined inoculations of pathogen and symbiont. Low levels were found of Al, Fe, Mn and Zn in nonmycorrhizal nematode-infected plants in low P soil. G. intraradices-inoculated plants reached the highest foliar levels of N, Ca, Mg, Mn, Cu and Zn. Mycorrhizal plants infected with P. vulnus maintained normal to high levels of Mn, Cu, and Zn. Inoculation with G. intraradices favours quince growth and confers protection against P. vulnus by improving plant nutrition.     

Mycorrhizal responsiveness of aerobic rice genotypes is negatively correlated with their zinc uptake when nonmycorrhizal

Plant Zn uptake from low Zn soils can be increased by Zn-mobilizing chemical rhizosphere processes. We studied whether inoculation with arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) can be an additional or an alternative strategy. We determined the effect of AMF inoculation on growth performance and Zn uptake by rice genotypes varying in Zn uptake when nonmycorrhizal. A pot experiment was conducted with six aerobic rice genotypes inoculated with Glomus mosseae or G. etunicatum or without AMF on a low Zn soil. Plant growth, Zn uptake and mycorrhizal responsiveness were determined. AMF-inoculated plants produced more biomass and took up more Zn than nonmycorrhizal controls. Mycorrhizal inoculation, however, significantly increased Zn uptake only in genotypes that had a low Zn uptake in the nonmycorrhizal condition. We conclude that genotypes that are less efficient in Zn uptake when nonmycorrhizal are more responsive to AMF inoculation. We provide examples from literature allowing generalization of this conclusion on a trade off between mycorrhizal responsiveness and nutrient uptake efficiency.     

Biocontrol of Fusarium Root Rot in the Common Bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) by using Symbiotic Glomus mosseae and Rhizobium leguminosarum

Abstract The interaction between VA mycorrhiza Glomus mosseae (Gm), root rodulating symbiont Rhizobium leguminosarum (Rl), and root rot pathogen Fusarium solani (Fs) on the common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris) in relation to plant growth, nutrient uptake, disease severity, rhizosphere microbial biomass, and nutrient availability was investigated. Mycorrhizal plants yielded significantly greater plant biomass and mobilized more N and P uptake as compared to nonmycorrhizal plants or those infected with Fs. However, the mycorrhizal root colonizing ability, in presence of Fs, was reduced by 27%, whereas Rl enhanced it by 37%. The inoculation of Gm, besides decreasing propagule number of Fs in the rhizosphere, decreased pathogenic root rot by 34 to 77%. However, in the presence of Rl, Gm-inoculated plants were more tolerant of the fungal root pathogen. The Gm + Rl inoculated plants not only had maximum plant biomass and root nodulation, but also exhibited higher microbial biomass, alkaline phosphatase activity, and available phosphorus in their rhizosphere. Rl, alone or in association with Gm, caused the maximum increase in mineral nitrogen (NH₄ ⁺ and NO₃ ⁻) content in soil. These results indicate that Gm has a vital role in inhibiting the root pathogen from invasion, more so in the presence of R. leguminosarum. Received: 26 February 1996; Revised: 12 July 1996     

Isolation and characterization of different plant associated bacteria and their potential to degrade polychlorinated biphenyls

In our experiments the effect of different plants on microbial activities resulting in degradation and PCB removal from long-term contaminated soil was evaluated. Total bacteria and bacteria representing the dominating microflora within rhizosphere of individual plant species – tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum), black nightshade (Solanum nigrum), horseradish (Armoracia rusticana) and goat willow (Salix caprea) planted in PCB contaminated soil as well as from the same, but non-vegetated PCBs soil, were isolated and biochemically characterized. PCB bacterial degraders, stimulated by root exudates of individual plants, were detected after isolation from rhizosphere soil and precultivation on minimal medium with biphenyl as the sole carbon source. Detection of BphA1 gene (first gene of bacterial aerobic PCB degradative pathway) in genomes of rhizosphere microorganisms was performed by nested PCR technique using previously designed specific primers. Rhizosphere of individual plants contained different bacterial species, mostly gram-negative non-fermenting bacteria of Pseudomonas, Agrobacterium, Ochrobactrum and other species. Gene BphA1 was identified in genome of only several of them. From tested species, S. caprea and A. rusticana have shown to be promising candidates for rhizoremediation purposes.     

菌根植物根际环境对污染土壤中Cu、Zn、Pb、Cd形态的影响

采用根垫法和连续形态分析技术,分析了生长在污灌土壤中菌根小麦和无菌根小麦根际Ｃｕ、Ｚｎ、Ｐｂ、Ｃｄ的形态分布和变化趋势。结果表明,下对照土壤相比,菌根际土壤中交换态Ｃｕ含量显著增加,交换态Ｃｄ呈减少的趋势;与非菌根际相比,Ｃｕ、Ｚｎ、Ｐｂ的有机结合态在菌根根际中显著增加,而４种测定金属２的碳酸盐态和铁锰氧化态都没有显著改变,该结果表明,植物根系能影响根际中金属形态的变化,且菌根比无菌根的影响程度大     

Benefit and cost analysis and phosphorus efficiency of VA mycorrhizal fungi colonizations with sorghum (Sorghum bicolor) genotypes grown at varied phosphorus levels

Sorghum [Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench] was grown in a greenhouse in a low P (3.6 mg kg^-1) soil (Typic Argiudolls) inoculated with the vesicular-arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (VMAF) Glomus fasciculatum and P added at 0, 12.5, 25.0, and 37.5 mg kg^-1 soil to determine the effects of VAMF-root associations on plant growth, benefit and cost analysis, and P efficiency (dry matter produced/unit P absorbed). Root colonization with VAMF and shoot growth enhancements decreased with increased soil P applications. Mycorrhizal plants were less P efficient than nonmycorrhizal plants. Shoot dry matter differences between mycorrhizal and nonmycorrhizal plants were considered the benefit derived by plants from VAMF-root associations. Shoot dry matter differences between mycorrhizal and nonmycorrhizal plants with similar P concentrations were considered the costs paid by plants for VAMF-root associations. Values of benefit and cost analysis for VAMF-root associations were highest when soil P was lowest and decreased with increasing P applications. Genotypic differences for calculated costs were pronounced, but not benefits. Benefit and cost analysis.may be helpful to evaluate host plant genotypes and VAMF species to optimize efficiencies of VAMF symbiosis in different soil environments.