不同喀斯特小生境中土壤丛枝菌根真菌的遗传多样性

 为探明西南喀斯特地区小生境土壤中丛枝菌根真菌(AMF)的遗传多样性特征, 利用巢式PCR和变性梯度凝胶电泳相结合的分子生物学方法, 对茂兰3种植被类型下的小生境(石缝、石沟、土面) AMF遗传多样性进行了研究。结果发现: 各类小生境都含有丰富的AMF遗传多样性, 灌木林土面的多样性指数和物种丰富度最高, 为4.06和68; 次生林石缝的最低, 为3.16和29, 所研究的9个小生境多样性指数和物种丰富度的平均值分别高达3.67和48, 高于同类研究在其他地区的结果, 这可能主要与喀斯特生态系统复杂的结构和较高的植物多样性有关; 聚类分析显示各类小生境间的AMF群落结构差异显著, 相似性指数最高仅为0.45, 说明小生境所带来的空间异质性对AMF的遗传多样性产生了显著影响; 基因测序显示球囊霉属(Glomus)极有可能是喀斯特地区AMF的优势菌属, 在以后筛选喀斯特地区的高效生态恢复菌种时可重点考虑球囊霉属的一些菌种。     

喀斯特植被演替过程土壤丛枝菌根真菌(AMF)多样性

喀斯特生态系统维持了丰富的微生物多样性,丛枝菌根真菌(Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi,AMF)结构和组成会随喀斯特植被演替而改变。以贵州贵阳花溪、毕节织金和关岭花江典型喀斯特区域按时空替代法采集了乔木林、灌木林和草本群落样地土壤,采用Illumina HiSeq分子测序技术,通过OTU聚类分析、物种注释及数据库比对,探索了喀斯特不同演替阶段土壤AMF物种多样性。结果表明:(1)喀斯特生境土壤获得球囊菌门Glomeromycota OTU为275个,分属于4目8科13属19种,属水平上AMF丰度表明根内根孢囊霉属Rhizophagus为优势属,花江拥有最高AMF丰富度,缩隔球囊霉Septoglomus constrictum、根内根孢囊霉Rhizophagus intraradices、Claroideoglomus sp. MIB8381和稀有内养囊霉Entrophospora infrequens均分布于各样地的不同植被演替阶段,为常见种。(2)AM真菌多样性Shannon指数与Simpson指数在不同演替阶段表现为花溪:乔木≈灌木草本(P0.05)、花江:灌木≈草本乔木(P0.05)、织金:乔木灌木草本,但差异不显著,Chao1和Abundance-based coverag estimator(ACE)指数表现为花江灌木≈草地乔木(P0.05)。(3)Spearman相关性分析表明土壤全磷与AMF ACE指数显著负相关,且与Chao1指数极显著负相关;速效磷与Shannon和Simpson指数显著负相关。(4)典范对应分析(Canonical Correlation Analysis,CCA)表明土壤全氮、速效氮、有机质、全磷和速效钾与AMF群落分布有显著相关性。结果表明喀斯特植被演替过程中土壤丛枝菌根真菌多样性随着演替进行或升高或降低,无一致变化规律,并与土壤理化性质关系密切,其中以磷的影响最大。     

石林风景区不同石漠化人工修复方式对木本植物群落组成及种群生态位的影响

石漠化是我国西南喀斯特地区生态修复最严重的障碍,植被恢复是石漠化治理的重要途径。近50年来,我国开展了大量石漠化植被恢复的实践与研究,包括自然恢复与人工修复。但是,长期以来缺乏对已完成人工修复的植被的演替特征和修复效果的研究,而人工修复植被的效果评价能为石漠化生态修复提供理论依据与实践经验。以石林风景区中两类人工修复植被——栽植植被(PV)与飞播植被(ASV)为研究对象,以地带性自然植被(ZNV)为对照,研究人工修复植被中木本植物群落组成、群落多样性和种群生态位特征,以期揭示不同人工修复方式下的植被构成规律以及对有限资源的利用程度。结果表明:(1)在地带性自然植被、栽植植被和飞播植被3种植被类型中分别记录到木本植物92种(45科80属)、138种(50科101属)与44种(26科37属),3种植被类型中的共有种12种。(2)3种植被类型的Patrick丰富度指数与Shannon-Wiener多样性指数排序均呈现为地带性自然植被栽植植被飞播植被(P0.01),栽植植被与地带性自然植被之间的Jaccard相似性指数为0.14,飞播植被与地带性自然植被之间的Jaccard相似性指数为0.12;(3)3种植被类型中任意两者之间的生态位宽度均存在较大差异,但是清香木(Pistacia weinmannifolia)在3种植被类型中生态位宽度排位均靠前,利用资源能力较强;(4)生态位重叠程度的排序为地带性自然植被飞播植被栽植植被。综上,与地带性自然植被相比,人工修复植被物种多样性较低,但是人工修复植被的优势种中乡土植物占89.33%,乡土植物生态位较广,生态位重叠值偏低,植被较为稳定。在人工修复植被中,栽植植被的修复效果优于飞播植被。研究结果对未来喀斯特石漠化地区进行人工植被修复的物种规划与群落构建时具有重要的参考价值。     

荒漠和草原生态系统丛枝菌根真菌多样性和群落结构

丛枝菌根真菌(arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi,AMF)是自然生态系统和农业生态系统中分布最为广泛的土壤真菌,能够与绝大多数陆地植物形成互惠共生体并具有重要的生态功能。以内蒙古地带性植被区及甘肃、青海非地带性植被区荒漠和草原生态系统为研究对象,基于Illumina Miseq高通量测序平台比较荒漠和草原土壤AMF多样性和群落结构的差异,结合环境因子探讨其主要影响因素,以期为AMF在草原荒漠化生态恢复中的应用提供理论基础。基于高通量数据分析共得到159个AMF-OTUs,分属于1门1纲3目5科8属,其中Glomus属在荒漠和草原土壤中均为优势属。地带性植被区和非地带性植被区的草原土壤AMF丰富度、香农多样性、系统发育α多样性都显著高于荒漠。地带性植被区的荒漠和草原土壤AMF群落结构有显著差异,而非地带性植被区荒漠和草原土壤AMF群落结构没有显著差异。相关分析揭示了环境因子与土壤AMF群落结构和多样性的相关关系,变差分解的结果进一步表明,土壤理化性质和气候因子对AMF群落结构的解释率比植物群落和地理距离要高,荒漠和草原土壤AMF群落结构主要受土壤理化性质和气候因子形成的环境过滤的影响。     

内蒙古大青山土庄绣线菊根围丛枝菌根真菌群落垂直分布特征

土庄绣线菊Spiraea pubescens是内蒙古大青山干旱地区重要的护土灌木,以水磨村垂直分布(海拔1 515m,1 410m,1 305m)的土庄绣线菊根围土壤和根系为研究对象,分析丛枝菌根真菌(arbuscular mycorrhiza fungi,AMF)菌根侵染率、孢子密度、多样性及群落组成。结果表明,孢子密度和菌根侵染率在海拔1 515m处显著高于海拔1 410m和1 305m处,丛枝丰度在3个海拔间无显著差异。Illumina MiSeq测序共得到71个AMF OTUs(operational taxonomic units)。不同海拔优势属均为Glomus,且AMF群落组成存在显著差异。Margalef丰富度指数、Chao 1丰富度指数和Shannon‐Wiener多样性指数均随海拔升高而升高,海拔1 515m处显著高于海拔1 410m和1 305m处,Simpson多样性指数在不同海拔间无显著差异。土壤有机质和植被盖度与孢子密度呈显著负相关;速效磷、含水量和植被盖度与菌根侵染率呈显著负相关;海拔与Shannon‐Wiener多样性指数、Simpson多样性指数、Chao 1丰富度指数和Margalef丰富度指数呈显著正相关,而速效磷和植被盖度与其呈显著负相关。研究结果为进一步探索AMF对土庄绣线菊在干旱环境中生存发挥的作用奠定理论基础。     

西南喀斯特高原盆地石漠化环境植物群落结构与物种多样性时空动态

为阐明西南典型喀斯特石漠化类型——喀斯特高原盆地石漠化植物群落结构和物种多样性特征及其演变规律,科学支撑喀斯特石漠化治理,选取了喀斯特高原盆地典型石漠化区贵州清镇簸箩小流域为研究区域,对其植被进行广泛的野外勘察,设置典型样方研究其植物群落结构和物种多样性特征;运用空间替代时间方法,研究石漠化演变过程中植物群落结构和物种多样性变化;基于2013—2015连续3 a的监测数据,研究其年际变化。结果表明:研究区群落结构简单,共记录到的植物分布58种,其中草本层18科24属28种、木本层17科25属30种;单种属的比例很高,为82.86%。不同等级石漠化环境植物群落高度、平均地径、平均冠幅、草本层生物量和灌木层生物量均具有显著差异;植物种群密度在不同等级石漠化环境变化依次为轻度石漠化中度石漠化潜在石漠化无石漠化。不同等级石漠化环境植物多样性指数、均匀度指数、丰富度指数和优势度指数均偏低,而且4种指数均与石漠化等级演替无明显耦合关系。不同年份植物群落高度、平均地径、种群密度和灌木层生物量随着时间的推移均呈增加趋势,但相邻年份增加不显著。研究区生态系统人为干扰逐渐减弱,植被呈现出正向演替的趋势,优势种的重要性趋于降低。该研究结果对我国西南喀斯特盆地生态功能恢复和石漠化植被重建具有一定的理论意义和实践指导价值。     

贵州煤矸石山香根草根系及根际土丛枝菌根真菌（AMF）群落的季节动态研究

以煤矸石山种植年限为17年的香根草Vetiveria zizanioides为研究对象,采用高通量测序技术研究香根草根系及根际土丛枝菌根真菌（arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi,AMF）群落的季节动态。并利用Spearman、NMDS、RDA和Mantel-test等统计学方法分析了AMF孢子密度、菌根侵染率、土壤理化性质、丰富度及多样性指数之间的相关性。结果表明：（1）AMF孢子密度和菌根侵染率均表现为夏季显著高于春秋两季。（2）3个季节根系中共得到127个OTUs,根际土中共得到258个OTUs,根和根际土中共享96个OTUs,共分离鉴定4科7属AMF,球囊霉属Glomus是该煤矸石山的优势属。（3）根系中AMF多样性和丰富度指数随季节变化先降后升;根际土中AMF多样性指数随季节变化先降后升,但丰富度指数随季节变化呈递减趋势;春季根际土香农、Chao1和ACE指数均显著高于根系,夏季根际土Chao1指数显著高于根系。（4）NMDS分析表明,夏季根系AMF群落分布与其他季节差异显著。Spearman分析表明,根系全钾含量与多样性和丰富度指数显著正相关,速效磷与丰富度指数显著负相关。RDA分析表明,AMF群落组成在根系春季和夏季、根际土夏季和秋季与全磷、全氮、全钾和速效磷正相关,与有机质负相关。Mantel-test分析表明,pH、有机质、全氮、全钾、速效磷和采样季节极显著影响菌根侵染率,有机质和全氮是影响孢子密度的主导因子。     

黔西北地区不同演替阶段植物群落结构与物种多样性特征

该文采用"空间代替时间"的方法,研究了贵州省威宁县喀斯特地区植被演替过程中的群落结构、物种组成、生活型谱和物种多样性的变化规律。结果表明:(1)该调查共记录到种子植物174种,隶属于52科117属,物种分布较多的有菊科、蔷薇科、禾本科、杜鹃花科、小檗科、唇形科、蓼科。(2)随着植被的正向演替,物种丰富度逐渐增加,群落结构趋于复杂,高位芽植物所占比例逐渐增大。(3)随着植被的恢复,群落层次分化逐渐明显,大径级植株所占比例呈现增加趋势。(4)随着植被的恢复,群落各层次的ShannonWiener多样性指数(H)、Simpson多样性指数(DS)、均匀度指数(J)和Margalef丰富度指数(DM)逐渐增加;不同演替阶段植物群落之间的Srensen相似系数呈现先上升后下降的趋势,Cody指数则表现为逐渐增加的趋势。黔西北地区不同演替阶段植物群落结构和物种多样性不同,建群种和关键种发生了明显变化,不同演替阶段植物群落结构和物种多样性的研究对喀斯特地区植被演替规律的认识和生态恢复具有重要意义。     

生境因子对岩质边坡生态恢复过程中植被多样性的影响

通过对舟山市已生态恢复的岩质边坡进行植物群落调查,记录了36个不同生境条件下边坡样地中的植物种及生境因子,计算了4个植物物种多样性指数,利用广义线性混合模型分析了生境因子与边坡植被多样性交化的关系,以揭示生境因子对岩质边坡生态恢复植被的影响.结果表明:从1 a到7 a的岩质边坡生态恢复过程中,坡位对边坡植被多样性的影响最显著(P＜0.05),不同坡位的Shannon-Wiener指数、Margalef指数、物种丰富度差异明显,其变化呈现一致的趋势为下坡＞中坡＞上坡;坡向与Margalef指数显著相关(P＜0.05),从阳坡、半阳坡、半阴坡到阴坡,植被多样性呈总体上升趋势;随着边坡恢复年限的延长,边坡植被多样性逐渐增加,但没有表现出统计学意义上的差异(P＞0.05);坡度、海拔、土壤厚度对边坡植被多样性的变化无明显影响(P＞0.05);Pielou均匀度指数与各个生境因子均无显著关系,在边坡植被恢复过程中基本保持稳定的状态.因此,坡位、坡向是影响岩质边坡生态恢复过程中植被多样性最重要的因子;Margalef丰富度指数和Shannon-Wiener多样性指数是岩质边坡生态恢复过程中植物群落变化的主要指示因子.     

不同石漠化类型喀斯特地区土壤螨类群落结构的差异

【目的】揭示以潜在-轻度石漠化为主体和以中-强度石漠化为主体的喀斯特地区及其不同等级石漠化环境之间土壤螨类群落结构的差异。【方法】分别在以潜在-轻度石漠化为主体的高原山地区和以中-强度石漠化为主体的峡谷区采集潜在、轻度、中度和强度石漠化环境下的土壤螨类,通过标本鉴定和数据分析,判别不同环境下土壤螨类科、属、个体、捕食性螨类和甲螨生态类群以及群落多样性的差异。【结果】共捕获土壤螨类72科132属,甲螨是研究区土壤螨类组成的主体。中-强度石漠化喀斯特地区拥有丰富的螨类科和属;不同石漠化类型喀斯特地区螨类科、属的组成存在季节变化,随着石漠化程度的加剧,螨类科、属总体上逐渐减少;不同喀斯特区拥有不同的优势属群,且优势属的分布存在生境和季节差异;捕食性螨类和甲螨生态类群也随环境与季节的变化而变化;群落多样性指数以中-强度石漠化喀斯特区的稍高,但整体差异并不明显。【结论】不同石漠化主体类型喀斯特地区的土壤螨类群落结构存在差异,石漠化对土壤螨类群落结构造成影响,利用螨类优势属群可以对石漠化土壤环境进行初步指示,捕食性螨类和甲螨生态类群的分布与石漠化等级存在一定的不协调性,这种不协调性的机制有待进一步研究。     

丛枝菌根真菌物种多样性研究进展

丛枝菌根真菌(Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi,AMF)在不同生态系统均发挥至关重要的作用,研究其多样性能够为AMF物种资源的保护和利用提供科学依据。AMF不能被离体纯培养以及自身的高变异性等因素严重阻碍了对其进行深入研究,随着研究方法的不断改进,尤其是新一代测序技术的运用,极大加速了人们对AMF物种多样性的认识。本文主要从AMF分类系统、不同宿主植物和不同生境中的AMF物种多样性及AMF物种多样性研究方法(包括形态鉴定、Sanger测序和高通量测序)方面介绍AMF物种多样性研究进展,并且探讨AMF物种多样性研究中存在的主要问题,认为在今后AMF物种多样性研究中不仅要注重运用新的研究手段,还应该着重解决AMF不能离体纯培养的问题。     

Genetic variability in a population of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi causes variation in plant growth

Different species of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) alter plant growth and affect plant coexistence and diversity. Effects of within-AMF species or within-population variation on plant growth have received less attention. High genetic variation exists within AMF populations. However, it is unknown whether genetic variation contributes to differences in plant growth. In our study, a population of AMF was cultivated under identical conditions for several generations prior to the experiments thus avoiding environmental maternal effects. We show that genetically different Glomus intraradices isolates from one AMF population significantly alter plant growth in an axenic system and in greenhouse experiments. Isolates increased or reduced plant growth meaning that plants potentially receive benefits or are subject to costs by forming associations with different individuals in the AMF population. This shows that genetic variability in AMF populations could affect host-plant fitness and should be considered in future research to understand these important soil organisms.     

Genetic diversity and its effect on fitness in an endangered plant species, <Emphasis Type="Italic">Dracocephalum austriacum</Emphasis> L.

The aim of this study was to estimate genetic diversity and assess its importance for plant fitness in a species belonging to the most endangered species in Europe, Dracocephalum austriacum L., and to select the most valuable populations for conservation of genetic diversity within the species in the studied regions. We analyzed allozyme variation of 12 populations in three distinct regions (Czech Karst, Moravia and Slovak Karst) in Central Europe. The results showed high genetic diversity within populations (80.14%) and relatively low differentiation among populations within regions (9.42%) and between regions (10.45%). Seed production was significantly higher in larger, genetically more diverse and less inbred populations. The results suggest that genetic diversity has important effect on seed production in this species and thus can be expected to have strong direct consequences for plant fitness and vitality of the whole populations. They also show large variation in genetic diversity between populations and indicate which populations should get a priority in attempts to conserve all the genetic diversity within the region.     

Genetic diversity and host plant preferences revealed by simple sequence repeat and mitochondrial markers in a population of the arbuscular mycorrhizal fungus Glomus intraradices

Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) are important symbionts of plants that improve plant nutrient acquisition and promote plant diversity. Although within-species genetic differences among AMF have been shown to differentially affect plant growth, very little is actually known about the degree of genetic diversity in AMF populations. This is largely because of difficulties in isolation and cultivation of the fungi in a clean system allowing reliable genotyping to be performed. A population of the arbuscular mycorrhizal fungus Glomus intraradices growing in an in vitro cultivation system was studied using newly developed simple sequence repeat (SSR), nuclear gene intron and mitochondrial ribosomal gene intron markers. The markers revealed a strong differentiation at the nuclear and mitochondrial level among isolates. Genotypes were nonrandomly distributed among four plots showing genetic subdivisions in the field. Meanwhile, identical genotypes were found in geographically distant locations. AMF genotypes showed significant preferences to different host plant species (Glycine max, Helianthus annuus and Allium porrum) used before the fungal in vitro culture establishment. Host plants in a field could provide a heterogeneous environment favouring certain genotypes. Such preferences may partly explain within-population patterns of genetic diversity.     

The relationship between the diversity of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi and grazing in a meadow steppe

Aims

To study the relationship between changes in soil properties and plant community characters produced by grazing in a meadow steppe grassland and the composition and diversity of spore-producing arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF).

Methods

A field survey was carried out in a meadow steppe area with a gradient of grazing pressures (a site with four grazing intensities and a reserve closed to grazing). The AMF community composition (characterized by spore abundance) and diversity, the vegetation characters and soil properties were measured, and root colonization by AMF was assessed.

Results

AMF diversity (richness and evenness) was higher under light to moderate grazing pressure and declined under intense grazing pressures. Results of multiple regressions indicated that soil electrical conductivity was highly associated with AMF diversity. The variation in AMF diversity was partially associated to the density of tillers of the dominant grass (Leymus chinensis), the above and below-ground biomass and the richness of the plant community.

Conclusions

We propose that the relationship between plants and AMF is altered by environmental stress (salinity) which is in turn influenced by animal grazing. Direct and indirect interactions between vegetation, soil properties, and AMF community need to be elucidated to improve our ability to manage these communities.     

茂兰地区白茅丛枝菌根真菌多样性及其对紫花苜蓿的接种效应研究

对贵州省荔波茂兰国家自然保护区内优势草本植物白茅(Imperata cylindrica)根际丛枝菌根(Arbuscular Mycorrhizal,AM)真菌多样性,优势种对紫花苜蓿的接种效应进行研究。结果表明:AM真菌对白茅根系的菌根侵染率为91.3%,白茅根际土壤共分离AM真菌2属35种,其中球囊霉属(Glomus)18种,无梗囊霉属(Acaulos pora)17种,黑球囊霉(Glomus melanosporum)、聚生球囊霉(G.fasciculatum)、红色无梗囊霉(Acaulospora capcicula)为优势AM真菌。以三叶草扩繁优势菌种,接种紫花苜蓿(Medicago sativa),均显著提高了生长量和超氧化物歧化酶(Superoxide dismutase,SOD)、过氧化物酶(Peroxidase,POD)、过氧化氢酶(Catalase,CAT)活性。     

Community structure of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi in undisturbed vegetation revealed by analyses of LSU rDNA sequences

Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) form a mutualistic symbiosis with plant roots and are found in most ecosystems. In this study the community structure of AMF in a clade of the genus Glomus was examined in undisturbed costal grassland using LSU rDNA sequences amplified from roots of Hieracium pilosella. Roots were sampled from May to November along eight 30-m transects, 30-120 m apart. Phylogenetic analysis of the sequences revealed 11 phylogenetic clusters within the clade of Glomus. The phylogenetic clusters were patchily distributed within the area; time had no influence on the distribution pattern. The dominant cluster covered up to 10 m along the transect, whereas other clusters formed what can be interpreted as small individual mycelia. Four of the phylogenetic clusters included known species; the other clusters, including the dominant sequence types, were unknown. The dominant phylogenetic cluster enclosed nine haplotypes, and analyses of genetic diversity of this phylogenetic cluster showed that the total diversity could be found within single root fragments, suggesting that the multiple sequences were derived from a single individual.     

内蒙古中部地区马铃薯根际和根系丛枝菌根真菌类群的多样性

【背景】丛枝菌根真菌(arbuscular mycorrhizal fungus,AMF)是菌根真菌中分布最广泛的一类真菌,能够与90%以上的植物形成菌根共生体,并通过调节宿主体内的代谢活动增强植物的抗逆性。【目的】揭示内蒙古马铃薯主产区土壤中AMF的结构与组成,解析马铃薯不同发育阶段以及连作对AMF类群的影响。【方法】以内蒙古中部地区大井村、徐麻夭村和红格尔图村采集的马铃薯根系及根际土为材料,通过PCR扩增建立18S rRNA基因文库,研究不同地点、不同马铃薯生育阶段以及连作对马铃薯根系内和根际土中的AMF类群组成和多样性的影响。【结果】大井村和红格尔图村马铃薯根际土中的AMF的类群多样性优于徐麻夭村,其中Glomus为大井村和红格尔图村马铃薯根际土样本中AMF的优势菌群,而徐麻夭村样本根际土中的优势类群为Diversispora。马铃薯根系中的AMF多样性的研究结果表明,3个供试地点根系内AMF类群的类型没有显著差异,但是AMF类群的比例却不同。大井村根系样本中AMF的优势菌为Diversispora,而Rhizophagus是红格尔图村和徐麻夭村根系样本中的优势AMF类群。同一供试地点马铃薯苗期和块茎膨大期根际土中的AMF类群的类型多于块茎形成期,其中Glomus是马铃薯不同发育阶段根际土中的优势类群;而Rhizophagus是3个不同发育阶段根系内的优势类群。2015和2016年马铃薯连作地块中根际土和根系内AMF类群的类型完全相同,但是不同的AMF类群的相对丰度随着马铃薯的连作呈现出显著的变化。其中,根际土样本中Glomus和Archaeospora类群的相对丰度随着连作有所上升,相应的Entrophospora和Diversispora相对丰度有所下降;根系样本中AMF的优势类群随着连作从Glomus转变为Rhizophagus。AMF多样性测定结果表明,连作对马铃薯根际土中AMF多样性的影响显著高于对根系内类群的影响。【结论】AMF类群的多样性会因土壤组成成分、马铃薯生育期和连作效应而呈现不同变化。     

Effects of beech (Fagus sylvatica), ash (Fraxinus excelsior) and lime (Tilia spec.) on soil chemical properties in a mixed deciduous forest

Background and aims

We investigated the genetic diversity of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) in soils and the roots of Phalaris aquatica L., Trifolium subterraneum L., and Hordeum leporinum Link growing in limed and unlimed soil, the influence of lime application on AMF colonization and the relationship between AMF diversity and soil chemical properties.

Methods

The sampling was conducted on a long-term liming experimental site, established in 1992, in which lime was applied every 6 years to maintain soil pH (in CaCl₂) at 5.5 in the 0–10 cm soil depth. Polymerase chain reaction, cloning and sequencing techniques were used to investigate the diversity of AMF.

Results

Altogether, 438 AMF sequences from a total of 480 clones were obtained. Sequences of phylotypes Aca/Scu were detected exclusively in soil, while Glomus sp. (GlGr Ab) and an uncultured Glomus (UnGlGr A) were detected only in plant roots. Glomus mosseae (GlGr Aa) was the dominant AMF in the pastures examined; however, the proportion of G. mosseae was negatively correlated with soil pH, exchangeable Ca and available P. Generally, diversity of the AMF phylotypes was greater in the bulk unlimed soil and plants from this treatment when compared to the limed treatments.

Conclusions

Long-term lime application changed soil nutrient availability and increased AMF colonization, but decreased AMF phylotype diversity, implying that soil chemistry may determine the distribution of AMF in acid soils. Future studies are required to explore the functions of these AMF groups and select the most efficient AMF for sustainable farming in acid soils.