Potential role of D-<Emphasis Type="Italic">myo</Emphasis>-inositol-3-phosphate synthase and 14-3-3 genes in the crosstalk between <Emphasis Type="Italic">Zea mays</Emphasis> and <Emphasis Type="Italic">Rhizophagus intraradices</Emphasis> under drought stress

Arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) symbiosis is known to stimulate plant drought tolerance. However, the mechanisms underlying the synergistic responses of the symbiotic partners to drought stress are largely unknown. A split-root experiment was designed to investigate the molecular interactions between a host plant and an AM fungus (AMF) under drought stress. In the two-compartment cultivation system, an entire or only a half root system of a maize plant was inoculated with an AMF, Rhizophagus intraradices, in the presence of localized or systemic drought treatment. Plant physiological parameters including growth, water status, and phosphorus concentration, and the expression of drought tolerance-related genes in both roots and R. intraradices were recorded. Although mycorrhizal inoculation in either one or both compartments systemically decreased abscisic acid (ABA) content in the whole root system subjected to systemic or local drought stress, we observed local and/or systemic AM effects on root physiological traits and the expression of functional genes in both roots and R. intraradices. Interestingly, the simultaneous increase in the expression of plant genes encoding D-myo-inositol-3-phosphate synthase (IPS) and 14-3-3-like protein GF14 (14-3GF), which were responsible for ABA signal transduction, was found to be involved in the activation of 14-3-3 protein and aquaporins (GintAQPF1 and GintAQPF2) in R. intraradices. These findings suggest that coexpression of IPS and 14-3GF is responsible for the crosstalk between maize and R. intraradices under drought stress, and potentially induces the synergistic actions of the symbiotic partners in enhancing plant drought tolerance.     

Impairment of NtAQP1 gene expression in tobacco plants does not affect root colonisation pattern by arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi but decreases their symbiotic efficiency under drought

We investigated in two tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum) plant lines (wildtype or antisense mutant) whether impairment in expression of the plasma membrane aquaporin gene (NtAQP1) affects the arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungal colonisation pattern or the symbiotic efficiency of AM fungi. These two objectives were investigated under well-watered and drought stress conditions. Both plant lines had a similar pattern of root colonisation under well-watered and drought stress conditions. In contrast, under drought stress, AM wildtype plants grew faster than mycorrhizal antisense plants. Plant gas exchange also appeared to depend on the expression of NtAQP1 and parallelled the determined growth increments. The implications of enhanced symplastic water transport via NtAQP1 for the efficiency of the AM symbiosis under drought stress conditions are further discussed.     

Cloning of cDNAs encoding SODs from lettuce plants which show differential regulation by arbuscular mycorrhizal symbiosis and by drought stress

In the present study three cDNA fragments were cloned using degenerate primers for Mn-sod genes and PCR: two showed a high degree of identity with Mn-sods from plants and the third with Fe-sod. Arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) symbiosis down-regulated their expression pattern under well-watered conditions. In contrast, AM symbiosis in combination with drought stress considerably increased the expression of the Mn-sod II gene and this correlated well with plant tolerance to drought. These results would suggest that mycorrhizal protection against oxidative stress caused by drought may be an important mechanism by which AM fungi protect the host plant against drought.     

Exogenous ABA accentuates the differences in root hydraulic properties between mycorrhizal and non mycorrhizal maize plants through regulation of PIP aquaporins

The arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) symbiosis has been shown to modulate the same physiological processes as the phytohormone abscisic acid (ABA) and to improve plant tolerance to water deficit. The aim of the present research was to evaluate the combined influence of AM symbiosis and exogenous ABA application on plant root hydraulic properties and on plasma-membrane intrinsic proteins (PIP) aquaporin gene expression and protein accumulation after both a drought and a recovery period. Results obtained showed that the application of exogenous ABA enhanced osmotic root hydraulic conductivity (L) in all plants, regardless of water conditions, and that AM plants showed lower L values than nonAM plants, a difference that was especially accentuated when plants were supplied with exogenous ABA. This effect was clearly correlated with the accumulation pattern of the different PIPs analyzed, since most showed reduced expression and protein levels in AM plants fed with ABA as compared to their nonAM counterparts. The possible involvement of plant PIP aquaporins in the differential regulation of L by ABA in AM and nonAM plants is further discussed.     

Aquaporin genes GintAQPF1 and GintAQPF2 from Glomus intraradices contribute to plant drought tolerance

Arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) symbiosis, established between AM fungi (AMF) and roots of higher plants, occurs in most terrestrial ecosystems. It has been well demonstrated that AM symbiosis can improve plant performance under various environmental stresses, including drought stress. However, the molecular basis for the direct involvement of AMF in plant drought tolerance has not yet been established. Most recently, we cloned two functional aquaporin genes, GintAQPF1 and GintAQPF2, from AM fungus Glomus intraradices. By heterologous gene expression in yeast, aquaporin localization, activities and water permeability were examined. Gene expressions during symbiosis in expose to drought stress were also analyzed. Our data strongly supported potential water transport via AMF to host plants. As a complement, here we adopted the monoxenic culture system for AMF, in which carrot roots transformed by Ri-T DNA were cultured with Glomus intraradices in two-compartment Petri dishes, to verify the aquaporin gene functions in assisting AMF survival under polyethylene glycol (PEG) treatment. Our results showed that 25% PEG significantly upregulated the expression of two aquaporin genes, which was in line with the gene functions examined in yeast. We therefore concluded that the aquaporins function similarly in AMF as in yeast subjected to osmotic stress. The study provided further evidence to the direct involvement of AMF in improving plant water relations under drought stresses.     

Mycorrhizal and non-mycorrhizal Lactuca sativa plants exhibit contrasting responses to exogenous ABA during drought stress and recovery

The arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) symbiosis enhances plant tolerance to water deficit through the alteration of plant physiology and the expression of plant genes. These changes have been postulated to be caused (among others) by different contents of abscisic acid (ABA) between AM and non-AM plants. However, there are no studies dealing with the effects of exogenous ABA on the expression of stress-related genes and on the physiology of AM plants. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the influence of AM symbiosis and exogenous ABA application on plant development, physiology, and expression of several stress-related genes after both drought and a recovery period. Results show that the application of exogenous ABA had contrasting effects on AM and non-AM plants. Only AM plants fed with exogenous ABA maintained shoot biomass production unaltered by drought stress. The addition of exogenous ABA enhanced considerably the ABA content in shoots of non-AM plants, concomitantly with the expression of the stress marker genes Lsp5cs and Lslea and the gene Lsnced. By contrast, the addition of exogenous ABA decreased the content of ABA in shoots of AM plants and did not produce any further enhancement of the expression of these three genes. AM plants always exhibited higher values of root hydraulic conductivity and reduced transpiration rate under drought stress. From plants subjected to drought, only the AM plants recovered their root hydraulic conductivity completely after the 3 d recovery period. As a whole, the results indicate that AM plants regulate their ABA levels better and faster than non-AM plants, allowing a more adequate balance between leaf transpiration and root water movement during drought and recovery.     

The application of a treated sugar beet waste residue to soil modifies the responses of mycorrhizal and non mycorrhizal lettuce plants to drought stress

Positive effects of sugar beet (SB) application on soil properties and performance of several woody shrub legumes have been described under heavy metal stress and in diverse degraded environments, especially when combined with arbuscular mycorrhiza (AM). However, information on the combined effect of SB amendments and AM symbiosis in horticultural crop plants under drought stress is scarce. Thus, the main objective of this work was to determine if the combination of treated SB waste and AM fungi results in improved drought tolerance of an horticultural food crop such as lettuce and whether or not the effects observed are linked to enhanced antioxidant activities and regulation of two stress-related genes. Lettuce plants inoculated or not with Glomus intraradices and grown on soil amended or not with a treated SB waste were cultivated under well-watered conditions or subjected to drought stress. Plant growth, expression of two drought responsive genes encoding for ??¹-pyrroline-5-carboxylate synthetase and 9-cis-epoxycarotenoid dioxygenase, oxidative damage to lipids and the activity of four antioxidant enzymes were measured. Results showed that the application of treated SB waste resulted negative for the development of AM and nonAM plants (both under well-watered and under drought stress conditions). This effect can not be ascribed to the impairment of specific plant antioxidant defenses. In contrast, a lack of induction of a gene from the ABA biosynthetic pathway was observed in SB-treated plants, which could have contributed to the low performance of these plants. The positive effects of combined application of treated SB waste as amendment and AM fungi have not been shown for a horticultural food crop such as Lactuca sativa. Thus, before starting a program aimed at the utilization of different amendments based on transformed wastes, basic studies on functional and physiological compatibility between the plant and the amendment are necessary.     

Differential Effects of Pseudomonas mendocina and Glomus intraradices on Lettuce Plants Physiological Response and Aquaporin PIP2 Gene Expression Under Elevated Atmospheric CO2 and Drought

Arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) symbiosis and plant-growth-promoting rhizobacterium (PGPR) can alleviate the effects of water stress in plants, but it is unknown whether these benefits can be maintained at elevated CO₂. Therefore, we carried out a study where seedlings of Lactuca sativa were inoculated with the AM fungus (AMF) Glomus intraradices N.C. Schenk & G.S. Sm. or the PGPR Pseudomonas mendocina Palleroni and subjected to two levels of watering and two levels of atmospheric CO₂ to ascertain their effects on plant physiological parameters and gene expression of one PIP aquaporin in roots. The inoculation with PGPR produced the greatest growth in lettuce plants under all assayed treatments as well as the highest foliar potassium concentration and leaf relative water content under elevated [CO₂] and drought. However, under such conditions, the PIP2 gene expression remained almost unchanged. G. intraradices increased significantly the AMF colonization, foliar phosphorus concentration and leaf relative water content in plants grown under drought and elevated [CO₂]. Under drought and elevated [CO₂], the plants inoculated with G. intraradices showed enhanced expression of the PIP2 gene as compared to P. mendocina or control plants. Our results suggest that both microbial inoculation treatments could help to alleviate drought at elevated [CO₂]. However, the PIP2 gene expression was increased only by the AMF but not by the PGPR under these conditions.     

Aquaporin gene expression and physiological responses of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Robinia pseudoacacia</Emphasis> L. to the mycorrhizal fungus <Emphasis Type="Italic">Rhizophagus irregularis</Emphasis> and drought stress

The influence of arbuscular mycorrhiza (AM) and drought stress on aquaporin (AQP) gene expression, water status, and photosynthesis was investigated in black locust (Robinia pseudoacacia L.). Seedlings were grown in potted soil inoculated without or with the AM fungus Rhizophagus irregularis, under well-watered and drought stress conditions. Six full-length AQP complementary DNAs (cDNAs) were isolated from Robinia pseudoacacia, named RpTIP1;1, RpTIP1;3, RpTIP2;1, RpPIP1;1, RpPIP1;3, and RpPIP2;1. A phylogenetic analysis of deduced amino acid sequences demonstrated that putative proteins coded by these RpAQP genes belong to the water channel protein family. Expression analysis revealed higher RpPIP expression in roots while RpTIP expression was higher in leaves, except for RpTIP1;3. AM symbiosis regulated host plant AQPs, and the expression of RpAQP genes in mycorrhizal plants depended on soil water condition and plant tissue. Positive effects were observed for plant physiological parameters in AM plants, which had higher dry mass and lower water saturation deficit and electrolyte leakage than non-AM plants. Rhizophagus irregularis inoculation also slightly increased leaf net photosynthetic rate and stomatal conductance under well-watered and drought stress conditions. These findings suggest that AM symbiosis can enhance the drought tolerance in Robinia pseudoacacia plants by regulating the expression of RpAQP genes, and by improving plant biomass, tissue water status, and leaf photosynthesis in host seedlings.     

Azospirillum and arbuscular mycorrhizal colonization enhance rice growth and physiological traits under well-watered and drought conditions

The response of rice plants to inoculation with an arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungus, Azospirillum brasilense, or combination of both microorganisms, was assayed under well-watered or drought stress conditions. Water deficit treatment was imposed by reducing the amount of water added, but AM plants, with a significantly higher biomass, received the same amount of water as non-AM plants, with a poor biomass. Thus, the water stress treatment was more severe for AM plants than for non-AM plants. The results showed that AM colonization significantly enhanced rice growth under both water conditions, although the greatest rice development was reached in plants dually inoculated under well-watered conditions. Water level did not affect the efficiency of photosystem II, but both AM and A. brasilense inoculations increased this value. AM colonization increased stomatal conductance, particularly when associated with A. brasilense, which enhanced this parameter by 80% under drought conditions and by 35% under well-watered conditions as compared to single AM plants. Exposure of AM rice to drought stress decreased the high levels of glutathione that AM plants exhibited under well-watered conditions, while drought had no effect on the ascorbate content. The decrease of glutathione content in AM plants under drought stress conditions led to enhance lipid peroxidation. On the other hand, inoculation with the AM fungus itself increased ascorbate and proline as protective compounds to cope with the harmful effects of water limitation. Inoculation with A. brasilense also enhanced ascorbate accumulation, reaching a similar level as in AM plants. These results showed that, in spite of the fact that drought stress imposed by AM treatments was considerably more severe than non-AM treatments, rice plants benefited not only from the AM symbiosis but also from A. brasilense root colonization, regardless of the watering level. However, the beneficial effects of A. brasilense on most of the physiological and biochemical traits of rice plants were only clearly visible when the plants were mycorrhized. This microbial consortium was effective for rice plants as an acceptable and ecofriendly technology to improve plant performance and development.     

Drought Tolerance and Antioxidant Activities in Lavender Plants Colonized by Native Drought-tolerant or Drought-sensitive <Emphasis Type="Italic">Glomus</Emphasis> Species

This study compared the effectiveness of four arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungal isolates (two autochthonous presumably drought-tolerant Glomus sp and two allochthonous presumably drought-sensitive strains) on a drought-adapted plant (Lavandula spica) growing under drought conditions. The autochthonous AM fungal strains produced a higher lavender biomass, specially root biomass, and a more efficient N and K absorption than with the inoculation of similar allochthonous strains under drought conditions. The autochthonous strains of Glomus intraradices and Glomus mosseae increased root growth by 35% and 100%, respectively, when compared to similar allochthonous strains. These effects were concomitant with an increase in water content and a decline in antioxidant compounds: 25% glutathione, 7% ascorbate and 15% H₂O₂ by G. intraradices, and 108% glutathione, 26% ascorbate and 43% H₂O₂ by G. mosseae. Glutathione and ascorbate have an important role in plant protection and metabolic function under water deficit; the low cell accumulation of these compounds in plants colonized by autochthonous AM fungal strains is an indication of high drought tolerance. Non-significant differences between antioxidant activities such as glutathione reductase (GR), catalase (CAT) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) in colonized plants were found. Thus, these results do not allow the generalization that GR, CAT and SOD were correlated with the symbiotic efficiency of these AM fungi on lavender drought tolerance. Plants colonized by allochthonous G. mosseae (the less efficient strain under drought conditions) had less N and K content than those colonized by similar autochthonous strain. These ions play a key role in osmoregulation. The AM symbiosis by autochthonous adapted strains also produced the highest intraradical and arbuscular development and extraradical mycelial having the greatest fungal SDH and ALP-ase activities in the root systems. Inoculation of autochthonous drought tolerant fungal strains is an important strategy that assured the greatest tolerance water stress contributing to the best lavender growth under drought.     

Arbuscular mycorrhizal symbiosis induces strigolactone biosynthesis under drought and improves drought tolerance in lettuce and tomato

Arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) symbiosis alleviates drought stress in plants. However, the intimate mechanisms involved, as well as its effect on the production of signalling molecules associated with the host plant–AM fungus interaction remains largely unknown. In the present work, the effects of drought on lettuce and tomato plant performance and hormone levels were investigated in non‐AM and AM plants. Three different water regimes were applied, and their effects were analysed over time. AM plants showed an improved growth rate and efficiency of photosystem II than non‐AM plants under drought from very early stages of plant colonization. The levels of the phytohormone abscisic acid, as well as the expression of the corresponding marker genes, were influenced by drought stress in non‐AM and AM plants. The levels of strigolactones and the expression of corresponding marker genes were affected by both AM symbiosis and drought. The results suggest that AM symbiosis alleviates drought stress by altering the hormonal profiles and affecting plant physiology in the host plant. In addition, a correlation between AM root colonization, strigolactone levels and drought severity is shown, suggesting that under these unfavourable conditions, plants might increase strigolactone production in order to promote symbiosis establishment to cope with the stress.     

Influence of Salinity on the <Emphasis Type="Italic">In Vitro</Emphasis> Development of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Glomus intraradices</Emphasis> and on the <Emphasis Type="Italic">In Vivo</Emphasis> Physiological and Molecular Responses of Mycorrhizal Lettuce Plants

Increased salinization of arable land is expected to have devastating global effects in the coming years. Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) have been shown to improve plant tolerance to abiotic environmental factors such as salinity, but they can be themselves negatively affected by salinity. In this study, the first in vitro experiment analyzed the effects of 0, 50, or 100 mM NaCl on the development and sporulation of Glomus intraradices. In the second experiment, the effects of mycorrhization on the expression of key plant genes expected to be affected by salinity was evaluated. Results showed that the assayed isolate G. intraradices DAOM 197198 can be regarded as a moderately salt-tolerant AMF because it did not significantly decrease hyphal development or formation of branching absorbing structures at 50 mM NaCl. Results also showed that plants colonized by G. intraradices grew more than nonmycorrhizal plants. This effect was concomitant with a higher relative water content in AM plants, lower proline content, and expression of Lsp5cs gene (mainly at 50 mM NaCl), lower expression of the stress marker gene Lslea gene, and lower content of abscisic acid in roots of mycorrhizal plants as compared to nonmycorrhizal plants, which suggest that the AM fungus decreased salt stress injury. In addition, under salinity, AM symbiosis enhanced the expression of LsPIP1. Such enhanced gene expression could contribute to regulating root water permeability to better tolerate the osmotic stress generated by salinity.     

Interactions between Lotus japonicus genotypes and arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi

Abstract

Interactions between three genotypes (Ljsym 71-1, Ljsym 71-2 and Ljsym 72) of Lotus japoicus and one isolate from each of four species of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (Glomus sp. R-10, Glomus intraradices, Glomus etunicatum, and Gigaspora margarita) were investigated and compared with the wild-type ‘Gifu’ B-129. All the three genotypes showed no or defective internal colonization after inoculation with these AM fungi. In Ljsym72 mutant, the AM fungi produced deformed appressoria on the root surface, but failed to form any internal structures (internal hyphae, arbuscules and vesicles) except only in Glomus intraradices. The Ljsym71-1 and Ljsym71-2 mutants had more deformed appressoria and occasionally formed internal hyphae, arbuscules and vesicles, depending on AM fungi used. Wild-type ‘Gifu’ (nod⁺myc⁺) plants had typical colonization. The colonization of mutants by several fungi varied and provides a basis for studying recognition and compatibility between plants and mycorrhizal fungal species. These mutants also will be useful in studies of the genetics of the symbiosis between plant species and AM fungi.     

Relative importance of an arbuscular mycorrhizal fungus (Rhizophagus intraradices) and root hairs in plant drought tolerance

Both arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi and root hairs play important roles in plant uptake of water and mineral nutrients. To reveal the relative importance of mycorrhiza and root hairs in plant water relations, a bald root barley (brb) mutant and its wild type (wt) were grown with or without inoculation of the AM fungus Rhizophagus intraradices under well-watered or drought conditions, and plant physiological traits relevant to drought stress resistance were recorded. The experimental results indicated that the AM fungus could almost compensate for the absence of root hairs under drought-stressed conditions. Moreover, phosphorus (P) concentration, leaf water potential, photosynthetic rate, transpiration rate, stomatal conductance, and water use efficiency were significantly increased by R. intraradices but not by root hairs, except for shoot P concentration and photosynthetic rate under the drought condition. Root hairs even significantly decreased root P concentration under drought stresses. These results confirm that AM fungi can enhance plant drought tolerance by improvement of P uptake and plant water relations, which subsequently promote plant photosynthetic performance and growth, while root hairs presumably contribute to the improvement of plant growth and photosynthetic capacity through an increase in shoot P concentration.     

Arbuscular mycorrhizae and nitrogen assimilation in maize after drought and recovery

In a greenhouse experiment, the effect of arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungus (Glomus intraradices Schenck & Smith) colonization on N assimilation in maize (Zea mays L.) was examined after well-watered, drought and recovery periods. Seeds of selection cycles C0 (drought-sensitive) and C8 (drought-resistant) of the tropical maize cultivar Tuxpeño sequía were used for this study. Maize plants were exposed or not to drought stress for 3 weeks (45-65 days after sowing, DAS) followed by 3 weeks of recovery (66-86 DAS) at the preflowering stage. Root and shoot samples harvested at the end of the drought or well-watered and recovery periods were determined for key enzymes involved in N assimilation (NR, nitrate reductase; NiR, nitrite reductase; GS, glutamine synthetase; GOGAT, glutamate synthase), protein and amino acid concentrations, and total N contents. Drought stress significantly (P ≤ 0.01 or P ≤ 0.001) decreased all the enzyme activities except NiR in the roots and shoots of both cultivars. After 3 weeks of drought, the AM roots of both cultivars had higher activities of NR (C0, 45%; C8, 26%), GS (C0, 76%; C8, 33%) and GOGAT (C0, 41%; C8, 53%) than non-AM roots and were comparable to well-watered plants. These enzyme activities were also enhanced in drought-stressed AM shoots of C0 and C8. Total amino acid concentrations in AM plants of C0 were 4.6 and 1.6 times higher in roots and shoots, respectively, compared to non-AM plants. The predominant amino acids detected were Ala, Arg, Asn, Asp, Gln and Glu which constituted approximately 56 and 75% of the total pool in roots and shoots, respectively. Soluble proteins and total N contents were also higher in AM plants than non-AM plants under drought conditions. The enhancement of N-assimilating enzymes and nitrogenous compounds in maize may indicate a transfer of NO₃^? through the extraradical mycelium or increased N assimilation due to the AM symbiosis. Our overall results suggest that AM association plays an important role in enhancing N assimilation or N nutritional status which enables the host plant to withstand drought conditions and recover after stress is relieved.     

Displacement of an herbaceous plant species community by mycorrhizal and non-mycorrhizal Gmelina arborea, an exotic tree, grown in a microcosm experiment

Gmelina arborea Roxb. (Gmelina, Yemane) is a fast growing tree, native from India and considered as a potentially invasive woody plant in West Africa. Mycorrhizal inoculation of seedlings with Glomus intraradices was performed to study (1) the effect on the growth of G. arborea, (2) the impact on the catabolic diversity of soil microbial communities and (3) the influence on the structure of herbaceous plant species communities in microcosms. Treatments consisted of control plants, pre-planting fertilizer application and arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) inoculation. After 4 months’ culture in autoclaved soil, G. arborea seedlings were either harvested for growth measurement or transferred into containers filled with the same soil but not sterilized. Other containers were kept without G. arborea seedlings. After 12 months’ further culture, effects of fertilizer amendment and AM inoculation on the growth of G. arborea seedlings were recorded. AM colonization was significantly and positively correlated with plant diversity. The substrate-induced respiration response to carboxylic acids was significantly higher in the absence of G. arborea and in the presence of G. intraradices as compared to the other treatments. The influence of AM symbiosis on plant coexistence and on allelopathic processes of invasive plants are discussed.     

Effects of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi and drought stress on growth and nutrient uptake of two wheat genotypes differing in drought resistance

 The effects of an arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungus and drought stress on the growth, phosphorus, and micronutrient uptake of two wheat genotypes exhibiting differences in drought resistance were investigated. Plants were grown on a low P (4 mg kg^–1 soil) silty clay (Typic Xerochrept) soil-sand mix. Mycorrhizal infection was higher under well-watered than under dry soil conditions and the drought-resistant genotype CR057 had a higher mycorrhizal colonization than the drought-sensitive genotype CR006. Total and root dry matter yields and total root length were higher in mycorrhizal than in nonmycorrhizal plants of both genotypes. CR057 had higher total dry matter but not root dry matter than CR006 plants. The enhancement in total dry matter due to AM inoculation was 42 and 39% under well-watered and 35 and 45% under water-stressed for CR057 and and CR006, respectively. For both genotypes, the contents of P, Zn, Cu, Mn, and Fe were higher in mycorrhizal than in nonmycorrhizal plants and higher under well-watered than under dry soil conditions. The enhancement of P, Zn, Cu, Mn, and Fe uptake due to AM inoculation was more pronounced in CR006 than in CR057, particularly under water-stressed conditions. Thus CR006 benefitted from AM infection more than the CR057 under dry soil conditions, despite the fact that CR057 roots were highly infected. It appears that CR006 is more dependent on AM symbiosis than CR057. Accepted: 12 February 1997     

PIP Aquaporin Gene Expression in Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Glycine max and Lactuca sativa Plants in Relation to Drought Stress Tolerance

Although the discovery of aquaporins in plants has resulted in a paradigm shift in the understanding of plant water relations, the relationship between aquaporins and plant responses to drought still remains elusive. Moreover, the contribution of aquaporin genes to the enhanced tolerance to drought in arbuscular mycorrhisal (AM) plants has never been investigated. Therefore, we studied, at a molecular level, whether the expression of aquaporin-encoding genes in roots is altered by the AM symbiosis as a mechanism to enhance host plant tolerance to water deficit. In this study, genes encoding plasma membrane aquaporins (PIPs) from soybean and lettuce were cloned and their expression pattern studied in AM and nonAM plants cultivated under well-watered or drought stressed conditions. Results showed that AM plants responded to drought stress by down-regulating the expression of the PIP genes studied and anticipating its down-regulation as compared to nonAM plants. The possible physiological implications of this down-regulation of PIP genes as a mechanism to decrease membrane water permeability and to allow cellular water conservation is further discussed.