模拟酸雨和接种外生菌根真菌对马尾松土壤养分、土壤团聚体及有机碳组分的影响

以2年生马尾松(Pinus massoniana)幼苗为试验对象,采用原位试验,研究了模拟酸雨和接种外生菌根真菌对土壤有机碳含量、土壤团聚体组成及土壤养分(N、P、K)含量的影响。设置3种强度(p H5.6(CK),4.5,3.5)的模拟酸雨条件,每个强度酸雨下分别设置接种外生菌根真菌和不接种外生菌根真菌,共计6个处理。结果表明:p H3.5酸雨处理显著降低了土壤中速效磷、总磷、速效钾、铵态氮、硝态氮及总氮含量,而外接外生菌根真菌则有效缓解了这一情况;与对照比,酸雨处理提高了微团聚体(0.053 mm,0.053～0.25 mm)含量,降低了大团聚体(0.25～2 mm)含量; pH3.5处理显著降低各粒级尤其是0.25～2 mm粒级团聚体有机碳含量,而接种外生菌根真菌显著增加了有机碳含量;未接种外生菌根真菌土壤中,酸雨处理显著降低了土壤轻组、重组有机碳含量,而接种外生菌根真菌显著提高了土壤轻组、重组有机碳含量;接种外生菌根真菌在一定程度上可以缓解酸雨胁迫对土壤质量的不利影响。     

摩西斗管囊霉改善连作花生根际土壤的微环境

花生(Arachis hypogaea)长期连作导致土壤环境恶化, 严重影响产量和品质。丛枝菌根真菌(AMF)作为有益真菌能够与80%的陆生植物根系形成共生关系, 这种共生体能够改善植物根系微环境, 提高植物对营养物质的吸收和对逆境胁迫的抗性。为了探究AMF对花生连作土壤微环境的影响, 该研究通过对花生连作土壤接种和未接种摩西斗管囊霉(Funneliformis mosseae)试验, 在花生不同生长期检测根际土壤的酶活性、土壤矿物质含量、土壤微生物群落结构和多度的变化情况, 以及对连作花生产量和品质的影响。研究结果表明: 1)摩西斗管囊霉能够显著提高花生根际土壤蔗糖酶、脲酶、碱性磷酸酶和硝酸还原酶的活性; 2)摩西斗管囊霉显著增加花生连作土壤中全氮、全磷、全钾、速效磷和速效钾的含量; 3)摩西斗管囊霉显著降低土壤中有害真菌曲霉菌属(Aspergillus)的多度, 减少镰刀菌属(Fusarium)和赤霉菌属(Gibberella)的多度, 但是没有达到显著水平, 显著增加有益细菌放线菌Gaiella属的多度; 4)摩西斗管囊霉显著提高连作花生的产量, 增加籽仁中蛋白质、油酸和亚油酸的含量。因此, 摩西斗管囊霉能够改善连作花生根际土壤微生态环境, 增强连作土壤对致病菌的抵抗能力, 从而缓解连作障碍对花生根系的危害。     

丛枝菌根真菌和生物质炭对连作西瓜土壤肥力的影响

【背景】作为土壤改良剂生物质炭能够改善土壤条件,促进丛枝菌根(arbuscular mycorrhizal,AM)真菌侵染和植物生长发育。【目的】探究接种AM真菌配合施加生物质炭对连作土壤肥力和西瓜生长的效应。【方法】盆栽‘圆佳’西瓜(Citrullus lanatus)嫁接苗[砧木为‘全能铁甲’南瓜(Cucurbita maxima×C. moschata)],栽培基质为西瓜连作土壤,试验设接种或不接种AM真菌变形球囊霉(Glomus versiforme)并施加0%、1%、2%和4%的生物质炭,共8个处理,测定土壤理化特性、土壤酶活性、土壤微生物数量和植株生长量。【结果】接种AM真菌并施加生物质炭,可显著促进土壤大颗粒团聚体的形成和有机质的矿化,稳定土壤pH,增加土壤细菌和放线菌数量,降低真菌数量,提高土壤蔗糖酶、过氧化氢酶和脲酶的活性,活化土壤矿质养分,最终促进西瓜植株的生长发育。其中,以接种变形球囊霉并施加2%?4%生物质炭组合的效应最大。两者互作在一定程度上提高了连作土壤的pH、饱和含水量及孔隙度,降低了土壤容重,有利于土壤大颗粒团聚体的形成,提高了土壤酶活性,改善了根围土壤微生物组成。【结论】 AM真菌接种配合施加2%?4%的生物质炭可以显著改善连作土壤的肥力状况。     

摩西管柄囊霉Funneliformis mosseae对连作大豆分枝期根系AM真菌群落结构的影响

本文研究摩西管柄囊霉Funneliformis mosseae对短期连作3个大豆品种分枝期根系AM真菌群落结构的影响,旨在探索不同大豆品种与AM真菌在连作土壤中的互作效应。通过向黑农44（HN44）、黑农48（HN48）和恳丰16（KF16）3个大豆品种盆栽土壤中接种F. mosseae,对接菌连作0年（未连作对照组）、连作1年、连作2年土壤中的大豆根系,采用Nested-Program Control Register-DGGE技术分析。结果表明,接种F. mosseae后,不同大豆品种根系AM真菌多样性指数和丰度值表现为连作2年的土壤>连作1年的土壤>未连作的土壤;其中,球囊霉属Glomus和F. mosseae为3个大豆品种根系中AM真菌的优势菌群。接种F. mosseae对连作1年、连作2年3个大豆品种根系AM真菌群落结构具有显著影响。     

AMF和PGPR联合修复菲和芘污染土壤的效应

丛枝菌根真菌（arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi,AMF）与根围促生细菌（plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria,PGPR）联合降解有毒有机物、修复污染土壤和促进植物生长的作用倍受关注。本试验旨在探究AMF与PGPR联合降解土壤中菲和芘的效应,以菲和芘1:1混合处理浓度各0、50mg/kg、100mg/kg和150mg/kg下对高羊茅Festuca elata接种AMF根内根孢囊霉Rhizophagus intraradices（Ri）、变形球囊霉Glomus versiforme（Gv）、PGPR荧光假单胞菌Pseudomonas fluorescens Ps2-6、芽孢杆菌Bacillus velezensis Ps3-2、Ri+Ps2-6、Ri+Ps3-2、Gv+Ps2-6、Gv+Ps3-2和不接种对照共36个处理。结果表明,供试AMF增加了PGPR的定殖数量;接种PGPR则显著提高AMF的侵染率。AMF、PGPR或AMF+PGPR处理均显著降低土壤中菲和芘含量,促进植物对土壤中菲和芘的吸收,显著提高高羊茅根系和叶片内的菲和芘含量。在土壤中菲和芘100mg/kg和150mg/kg水平下,Gv与Ps2-6及Ri与Ps2-6能相互促进对土壤中菲和芘的去除效应,其中接种Gv+Ps2-6组合处理的去除率最高,达到95%-98%,土壤中多酚氧化酶、脱氢酶和过氧化氢酶活性显著高于单接种处理和不接种对照,而酸性磷酸酶活性变化则表现为相反趋势。其中以Gv+Ps2-6组合处理的多酚氧化酶活性最高,为0.17mg/g,是不接种对照的1.9倍;脱氢酶和过氧化氢酶活性分别达到1.32µg/(g·h)和1.81mL/g;酸性磷酸酶活性则比不接种对照土壤降低27%-45%;易提取球囊霉素相关土壤蛋白含量和总球囊霉素相关土壤蛋白含量分别是不接种对照的1.6倍和1.5倍。     

三峡库区消落带常见野生植物AM真菌

从三峡库区消落带3种常见野生植物的15个根际土壤样本中共分离鉴定出24种丛枝菌根真菌（Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi,AMF）,包括球囊霉属Glomus 15种、无梗囊霉属Acaulospora 3种、近明球囊霉属Claroideoglomus 2种和多样孢霉属Diversispora、内养囊霉属Entro phospora、巨孢囊霉属Gigaspora及类球囊霉属Paraglomus各1种。其中地表多样孢囊霉D. epigaea 和伯氏类球囊霉P. pernambucanum是我国的新记录种。研究发现这3种植物根际土壤中丛枝菌根真菌的优势属为球囊霉属,优势种为地球囊霉G. geosporum、单孢球囊霉G. monosporum、地表球囊霉G. versiforme、副冠球囊霉G. coronatum 和黄孢球囊霉G. flavisporum。研究还发现在这3种植物根际土壤中丛枝菌根真菌的孢子密度平均为839±170个/100g土,物种丰富度在14-22种之间,Shannon-Wiener多样性指数和均匀度分别在1.97-2.21、0.409-0.479之间波动。结果表明三峡库区消落带是一个AMF多样性研究的资源库。     

丛枝菌根真菌对西瓜嫁接苗抗南方根结线虫病的影响

根结线虫病是西瓜主要土传病害之一,长期连作往往加重西瓜根结线虫病害。利用抗病砧木嫁接可有效减轻瓜类蔬菜线虫病害,而接种丛枝菌根真菌(arbuscular mycorrhiza fungi,AMF)则能拮抗根结线虫,提高寄主植物抗病性。本试验旨在研究嫁接技术配合接种AMF降低瓜类蔬菜病害和促进生长的效应。试验以不同抗性南瓜杂交种(Cucurbita maxima×C.moschata)"青农2号"和"青农3号"分别嫁接西瓜Citrullus lanatus品种"京欣2号","青农2号"嫁接苗和"青农3号"嫁接苗先分别接种摩西管柄囊霉Funneliformis mosseae、变形球囊霉Glomus versiforme、根内根孢囊霉Rhizophagus intraradices,后接种南方根结线虫Meloidogyne incognita,测定AMF对不同西瓜嫁接苗根结线虫病和生长的影响。结果表明,接种AMF能不同程度地减轻嫁接苗根结线虫病害,其中,以"青农2号"嫁接苗接种变形球囊霉促生防病的效应最大。这可能与AMF提高根系活力、可溶性糖含量、超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)活性、过氧化物酶(POD)活性和过氧化氢酶(CAT)活性,降低丙二醛(MDA)含量有关。结果表明,"青农2号"嫁接苗结合接种变形球囊霉是生产上具有应用潜力的技术组合。     

AMF和DSE组合菌剂促生防线虫病效应

本试验旨在探究丛枝菌根真菌（AMF）和暗隔内生真菌（DSE）组合菌剂对南方根结线虫Meloidogyne incognita发育、侵染、黄瓜根结线虫病以及黄瓜生长发育的影响,为进一步探索AMF和DSE协同发挥生理生态效应的作用机制奠定基础。试验对“津优35号”黄瓜接种南方根结线虫、Phoma leveillei（DSE）、Funneliformis mosseae（AMF）、Glomus versiforme（AMF）、Acaulospora laevis（AMF）和/或Scutellospora aurigloba（AMF）。结果表明,供试AMF与DSE 能促进黄瓜生长、提高产量和增强抗病性。AMF+DSE组合处理的菌根和DSE的定殖数量、株高、茎粗、地上部和根系干重、单株产量等显著优于单接种AMF或单接种DSE处理。以F. mosseae + P. leveillei组合抑制南方根结线虫的发育、降低线虫繁殖数量、根内定殖数量、发病率和根结指数的效果最好。     

丛枝菌根真菌对郁金香生长及其切花生理的影响

为认识丛枝菌根真菌（arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi,AMF）对郁金香Tulipa gesneriana生长、光合特性以及切后瓶插期生理的影响,通过温室盆栽接种试验,以摩西斗管囊霉Funneliformis mosseae和幼套近明球囊霉Claroideoglomus etunicatum分别单独接种和共同接种,进行温室盆栽实验。结果表明,共同接种F. mosseae和C. etunicatum的郁金香叶片叶绿素a含量、叶绿素b含量和总叶绿素含量均显著高于不接种对照,分别增加了32%、18%和28%。与不接种对照相比,接种AMF处理的郁金香叶片的净光合速率、气孔导度、胞间CO₂浓度和蒸腾速率均显著提高,共同接种F. mosseae和C. etunicatum的郁金香在正午12点达到光合参数最大值。接种AMF处理的郁金香花葶长、地上干物质质量、地上鲜物质质量和叶面积均高于不接种对照,开花期早于不接种对照。切花瓶插期间,接种AMF处理的郁金香切花花瓣可溶性糖含量、可溶性蛋白质含量、超氧化物歧化酶（SOD）和过氧化物酶（POD）等抗氧化酶活性比不接种对照显著提高;且降低了膜脂过氧化产物丙二醛（MDA）含量和相对电导率。接种处理有效地改善切花花枝的水分平衡,并延长郁金香切花的瓶插寿命、最佳观赏期和花期。     

摩西斗管囊霉改善连作花生根际土壤的微环境

花生(Arachis hypogaea)长期连作导致土壤环境恶化,严重影响产量和品质。丛枝菌根真菌(AMF)作为有益真菌能够与80%的陆生植物根系形成共生关系,这种共生体能够改善植物根系微环境,提高植物对营养物质的吸收和对逆境胁迫的抗性。为了探究AMF对花生连作土壤微环境的影响,该研究通过对花生连作土壤接种和未接种摩西斗管囊霉(Funneliformis mosseae)试验,在花生不同生长期检测根际土壤的酶活性、土壤矿物质含量、土壤微生物群落结构和多度的变化情况,以及对连作花生产量和品质的影响。研究结果表明:1)摩西斗管囊霉能够显著提高花生根际土壤蔗糖酶、脲酶、碱性磷酸酶和硝酸还原酶的活性; 2)摩西斗管囊霉显著增加花生连作土壤中全氮、全磷、全钾、速效磷和速效钾的含量; 3)摩西斗管囊霉显著降低土壤中有害真菌曲霉菌属(Aspergillus)的多度,减少镰刀菌属(Fusarium)和赤霉菌属(Gibberella)的多度,但是没有达到显著水平,显著增加有益细菌放线菌Gaiella属的多度; 4)摩西斗管囊霉显著提高连作花生的产量,增加籽仁中蛋白质、油酸和亚油酸的含量。因此,摩西斗管囊霉能够改善连作花生根际土壤微生态环境,增强连作土壤对致病菌的抵抗能力,从而缓解连作障碍对花生根系的危害。     

miR160a与其靶基因在西瓜嫁接苗中参与抵御低温胁迫

miR160在许多研究中被报道靶向生长素响应因子(ARF)并参与植物的生长发育,但其在葫芦科作物以及嫁接西瓜耐冷性中的调控机制尚不清晰。本研究利用生物信息学技术对miR160a进行了保守性分析、候选靶基因ARF的预测及验证、结合位点分析以及ARF基因家族的进化分析。本文以西瓜(Citrullus lanatus )为接穗材料,分别以印度南瓜(Cucurbita maxima )、中国南瓜(Cucurbita moschata )和美洲南瓜(Cucurbita pepo) 作为嫁接的砧木材料,以C6实生苗为对照,通过8^oC低温处理7 d后统计冷害指数,检测不同组织中miR160a和靶基因ARF的表达情况来探究嫁接西瓜miR160a与其靶基因在抵御低温胁迫中的调控作用。结果表明:嫁接显著提高了西瓜植株的抗冷性,影响了miR160a和其ARF靶基因的表达,并且miR160a与其靶基因整体上呈现负向调控的模式来参与嫁接西瓜抵御低温胁迫的过程。本文为今后深入研究嫁接耐冷体系提供了新的参考依据和研究基础。     

Grafting of cucumber as a means to minimize copper toxicity

The aim of the current work was to determine whether grafting could improve copper (Cu) tolerance of cucumber, and to study the changes induced by the rootstock in the shoot growth at agronomical and physiological levels. A greenhouse experiment was carried out to determine yield, growth, fruit quality, leaf gas exchange, chlorophyll and carotenoids contents, electrolyte leakage, mineral composition and assimilate partitioning of cucumber plants (Cucumis sativus L. cv. ‘Akito’), either ungrafted or grafted onto the commercial rootstock ‘Shintoza’ (Cucurbita maxima Duchesne × Cucurbita moschata Duchesne) and cultured in nutrient film technique (NFT). Plants were supplied with nutrient solutions having three levels of Cu concentration [0.3 (control), 47, or 94 μM]. Significant depression of yield, shoot and root biomass production, and fruit quality (low fruit pH, and high Cu content) in Cu treated cucumber plants was observed, and this effect varied as a function of Cu concentration in NFT solution. The relative yield of cucumber decreased by ≈3.4% for each unit of increase in leaf tissue Cu concentrations above the threshold value (7.8 μg g⁻¹). At the two higher Cu concentrations (47 and 94 μM Cu), the percentages of yield, shoot and root biomass weight reductions were significantly lower in grafted plants in comparison to those of the ungrafted plants. Excessive Cu, especially at 94 μM Cu, inhibited photosynthesis, pigment synthesis, and membrane integrity. The Cu-related reductions in net assimilation, stomatal conductance, chlorophyll and carotenoid content were more severe in ungrafted plants in comparison with those grafted on 'Shintoza’. The percentage of electrolyte leakage was significantly higher in ungrafted plants especially those with severe Cu toxicity (94 μM Cu). The accumulation of Cu in leaf tissue at 47 and 94 μM Cu, with respect to control, were significantly lower in grafted plants (138 and 181%, respectively) in comparison to that of ungrafted plants (about 235 and 392%, respectively). Significant reduction of macro- (N, K, Ca and Mg) and micro-elements (Fe, Mn and Zn) in cucumber leaf tissue was found under moderate and severe Cu stresses especially on ungrafted plants. The improved crop performance of grafted plants was attributed to their strong capacity to inhibit Cu accumulation in the aerial parts and to maintain a better plant nutritional status.     

单列毛壳菌通过促进秸秆降解并调控激素响应基因表达促进玉米生长

为探究生防真菌单列毛壳菌(Chaetomium uniseriatum)对秸秆降解和玉米(Zea mays)生长的影响, 将单列毛壳菌接种到玉米盆栽土壤中, 其它条件不变, 以保证单一变量。于拔节期和抽雄期进行采样, 通过测定土壤有机碳、土壤可溶性碳/氮、微生物量碳/氮以及酶活性, 探究接种单列毛壳菌对土壤生物化学指标的影响。在抽雄期对秸秆降解率、地上部生物量、叶片SPAD值、玉米根系激素含量及根系转录组进行分析, 探究接种单列毛壳菌对秸秆降解和玉米植株生长发育的影响。结果表明, 接种单列毛壳菌后, 土壤养分含量未出现显著性变化, β-葡萄糖苷酶(β-GC)活性显著降低; 抽雄期玉米地上部生物量、叶片SPAD值以及秸秆降解率均显著高于对照组; 玉米根系生长激素(IAA)和玉米素(ZR)含量均显著低于对照组。不同处理下玉米根系转录组分析筛选得到990个差异表达基因(383个基因表达上调, 607个基因表达下调); 对差异基因进行GO富集分析, 得到5个植物激素相关的条目; KEGG富集分析得到1个与植物激素相关的通路(P value<0.05, Q value<0.05)。综上, 单列毛壳菌通过促进秸秆降解以及调控作物根系激素响应基因的表达, 进而促进玉米生长。     

三叶鬼针草与不同本地植物竞争对土壤 微生物和土壤养分的影响

入侵植物三叶鬼针草(Bidens pilosa)对我国农牧业生产造成了重大的损失。本文主要研究三叶鬼针草入侵与不同本地植物竞争对土壤微生物群落结构和土壤养分的影响。利用磷脂脂肪酸方法(phospholipid fatty acids, PLFAs)测定土壤微生物群落组成, 同时测定土壤养分和酶活性, 并利用Canoco4.5软件分析了土壤微生物、土壤养分和土壤酶活性的相关性。结果表明: (1)三叶鬼针草对革兰氏阳性菌、革兰氏阴性菌、丛枝菌根真菌等土壤微生物具有较强的聚集能力, 且其根际土壤聚集的微生物类群与本地植物种类密切相关。(2)三叶鬼针草入侵显著增加了入侵地土壤的有机碳含量, 降低了铵态氮的含量; 土壤中的速效钾、速效磷和硝态氮的含量则与本地植物种类密切相关。(3)相关性分析表明, 16:00和16:1 ω5c对铵态氮的含量影响较大, 而三叶鬼针草入侵地16:00和16:1 ω5c的含量显著高于裸土对照, 进而推测这一状况导致了铵态氮含量的降低。(4) 15:1 anteiso A和18:1 ω5c与速效钾的含量呈显著正相关, 而其含量在狗尾草(Setaria viridis)中显著高于其他处理, 三叶鬼针草与狗尾草混种处理中土壤中速效钾的含量高于其他处理。以上结果说明, 三叶鬼针草通过改变土壤微生物群落结构影响了土壤酶活性和土壤养分, 且这种改变与入侵地本地植物种类有关。     

Water relations of Fino lemon plants on two rootstocks under flooded conditions

Potted two-year-old Fino lemon plants (Citrus limon (L.) Burm. fil.) grafted on two different rootstocks: sour orange (C. aurantium) (SO), and C. macrophylla (CM) were submitted to two different treatments: non-flooded (control) and flooded for 8 days, under field conditions. Lemon/CM plants had lower plant plus soil resistance to water flow (R_(p+s)) values for both treatments. The decrease in leaf water potential (Ψ_l) and leaf turgor potential (Ψ_p) values, observed in the last part of the flooding period, in both flooded scion/rootstock combinations, can be related to the increase in the resistance to water flow. The maintenance in Ψ_l and Ψ_p values in flooded plants at values similar to those of the control plants, at the beginning of the flooding period and during the recovery period, can be ascribed to the stomatal control observed (decrease in leaf conductance (g₁) values). The later g₁ recovery in lemon/CM than in lemon/SO flooded plants, could explain the lower vegetative growth of lemon/CM plants by flooding effect. The observed g₁ response to soil flooding suggested that porometry is a reliable indicator of the altered behaviour caused by flooding in lemon plant.     

The presence of aluminum in arbuscular mycorrhizas of Clusia multiflora exposed to increased acidity

In this work, we present the results obtained after 9 months of watering with acidic solutions seedlings of Clusia multiflora, inoculated with arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF). The fungi were isolated from acid and neutral soil. C.multiflora is a tropical woody species that naturally grows on acid soils high in soluble Al. The research evaluated if arbuscular mycorrhizas (AM) could be responsible at least partially for the tolerance to acidity and to aluminum of C.multiflora and if an inoculum of AM fungi (AMF) coming from acid soils contributes more to the tolerance of acidity of C. multiflora than one coming from neutral soils. Results showed that in the absence of AMF (control treatment), the seedlings of C. multiflora did not grow, indicating that this species is highly dependent on AMF. When C. multiflora was exposed to a very acidic solution (pH 3), plants inoculated with AMF from acid soils were taller than those inoculated with AMF from neutral soils. Acidity affected root growth and root length. Plants inoculated with AMF from neutral soils showed thicker roots and lower shoot-root relationships than those inoculated with AMF from acid soils. Acidity did not affect root growth of C. multiflora inoculated with AMF from acid soils even when they were watered with solutions of pH 3. All plants accumulated high quantities of Al in roots (>10000 mg.kg ^–1), but plants inoculated with AMF from acid soils, accumulated less aluminum in roots than plants from the other treatments. A histochemical study of the distribution of Al in roots showed that in mycorrhizal plants, the aluminum was bound to the cell walls in the mycelium of the fungus, mainly in the vesicles or in auxiliary cells, a fact showed for the first time in this work.     

Synergistic effect of soil pathogenic fungi and nematodes reducing bioprotection of Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi on the grass Leymus arenarius

We examined the role ofarbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) in thebioprotection of the sand dune grass Leymus arenarius against soil fungi andnematodes. Six soil fungi (Fusariumnivale, Fusarium sp., Cladosporiumherbarum, Cladosporium sp., Phomasp., Sporothrix sp.) and four species ofnematodes (Pratylenchoidesmagnicauda, Paratylenchusmicrodorus, Rotylenchus goodeyi, Merlinius joctus) were isolated from a coastalsand dune in Iceland where a population of L. arenarius was declining in vigour. Acommercial AMF inoculum (Microbio Ltd. England)containing Glomus caledonium, G.fasciculatum, and G. mossae was used.Seedlings of L. arenarius were grownunder controlled conditions in sterile sand andsubjected to the following treatments: (1)control, (2) + AMF, (3) + AMF + soil fungi, (4)+ AMF + nematodes, (5) + AMF + nematodes + soilfungi, (6) + soil fungi, (7) + soil fungi +nematodes, (8) + nematodes. Mycorrhizal plantshad significantly the highest root dry weightof all treatments. Mycorrhizal plants hadsignificantly higher leaf dry weight thanplants in other treatments, with the exceptionof AMF inoculated plants exposed to nematodes. Mycorrhizal plants exposed to soil fungi andnematodes had significantly higher growthparameters except total number of leaves thanAMF inoculated plants exposed to both soilfungi and nematodes. Mycorrhizal plantssubjected to a dual application of soil fungiand nematodes did not vary significantly in anygrowth parameters from plants without AMF thatwere exposed to a dual application of soilfungi and nematodes. This suggests asynergistic effect of soil fungi and nematodesthat break down the protection of AMF againstpathogens. The results are discussed inrelation to plant dynamics of sand duneecosystems.     

Local soil,but not commercial AMF inoculum,increases native and non‐native grass growth at a mine restoration site

Soil communities are often degraded in mined sites, and facilitating the recovery of soil mutualists such as arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) may assist with the restoration of native plants. At a grassland mine restoration site, I compared a commercial AMF inoculum with soil collected from beneath native grasses as a source of inoculum, as well as a control treatment. Field plots were broadcast‐inoculated and seeded with native grasses, and biomass of native and non‐native species was measured in three consecutive years. In addition, greenhouse‐grown seedlings of a native bunchgrass (Stipa pulchra) were inoculated with similar treatments, transplanted into the field, and assessed after 18 months. When broadcast inoculation was used, the local soil inoculum tended to increase non‐native grass biomass, and marginally decreased non‐native forb biomass in the second year of study, but did not significantly affect native grass biomass. Broadcast commercial inoculum had no detectable effects on biomass of any plant group. Stipa pulchra transplants had greater N content and mycorrhizal colonization, and marginally higher shoot mass and K content, when pre‐inoculated with local soil (relative to controls). Pre‐inoculation with commercial AMF increased AMF colonization of the S. pulchra transplants, but did not significantly affect biomass or nutrient content. The findings indicate that at this site, the use of local soil as an inoculum had greater effects on native and non‐native plants than the commercial product used. In order to substantially increase native grass performance, inoculation of transplanted plugs may be one potential strategy.