球囊霉素相关土壤蛋白的分布及环境功能研究进展

球囊霉素相关土壤蛋白(GRSP)是由丛枝菌根真菌(AMF)在土壤中产生的一种糖蛋白,其在土壤中大量存在,可分为总球囊霉素、易提取球囊霉素、免疫反应性总球囊霉素、免疫反应性易提取球囊霉素.土地利用方式、施肥条件、AMF及宿主类型、外界环境条件等均会影响土壤中GRSP的含量及分布.GRSP能改善土壤团聚体的水稳定性、降低陆地生态系统土壤中CO₂排放、促进土壤中碳贮存、降低土壤中重金属的有效性、减弱重金属的植物毒害.GRSP的提取及定量表征技术仍是限制人们深入了解其在土壤中分布及环境功能的瓶颈.今后有关GRSP的研究应重视以蛋白及其编码该蛋白的基因为基础,阐释GRSP在土壤生态系统中的分子生物学作用及机制,以及GRSP对土壤中有机污染物环境行为的影响.     

赤红壤地区森林土壤球囊霉素相关蛋白测定方法

球囊霉素是丛枝菌根真菌菌丝产生的一种糖蛋白,被证明具有改善土壤结构、固定土壤中重金属、保护有机碳等重要的生态功能。球囊霉素目前尚无法纯化,一般通过测定球囊霉素相关蛋白(GRSP)来对其定量。由于GRSP测定方法的非专一性,目前尚无适宜于各种陆地生态系统的标准测定方法。本文针对GRSP测定结果可能受到提取时间、离心力以及测定前再次离心时离心力的大小等因素的影响,设置对比试验,对亚热带赤红壤地区土壤GRSP提取测定,以期获取适合于该地区的GRSP测定方法。结果表明:当提取时离心时间为10 min,10000×g的离心力提取的易提取GRSP(EE-GRSP)是5000×g提取的1.15~1.82倍,但离心力大小对总GRSP(T-GRSP)影响不显著;当提取时离心力为5000×g时,离心时间由10 min延长至15 min能够显著提高EE-GRSP含量;测定之前对上清液再次离心,若使用较大的离心力(≥10000×g),将显著影响GRSP测定值;经过6次连续提取,能够提取T-GRSP理论最大含量的97.7%~99.8%;因此,在亚热带酸性赤红壤森林生态系统中,GRSP的提取建议采用10000×g 10 min的离心力和离心时间组合,测定前对上清液再次离心时,应以≥10000×g的离心力为宜,研究结果为该地区GRSP的标准化测定提供了理论依据。     

球囊霉素相关土壤蛋白的分布及环境功能研究进展

球囊霉素相关土壤蛋白(GRSP)是由丛枝菌根真菌(AMF)在土壤中产生的一种糖蛋白,其在土壤中大量存在,可分为总球囊霉素、易提取球囊霉素、免疫反应性总球囊霉素、免疫反应性易提取球囊霉素.土地利用方式、施肥条件、AMF及宿主类型、外界环境条件等均会影响土壤中GRSP的含量及分布.GRSP能改善土壤团聚体的水稳定性、降低陆地生态系统土壤中CO_2排放、促进土壤中碳贮存、降低土壤中重金属的有效性、减弱重金属的植物毒害.GRSP的提取及定量表征技术仍是限制人们深入了解其在土壤中分布及环境功能的瓶颈.今后有关GRSP的研究应重视以蛋白及其编码该蛋白的基因为基础,阐释GRSP在土壤生态系统中的分子生物学作用及机制,以及GRSP对土壤中有机污染物环境行为的影响.     

覆膜与接种AM真菌对半干旱区玉米根际土壤理化性质的影响

本研究采用裂区试验设计,主区设置了3种覆膜方式:露地平播(即常规播种方法,无覆膜)、半覆膜平作(即常规播种方法,覆膜占小区面积一半)、全膜垄上穴播(即起垄后小区全覆膜,垄上播种),副区设置了2个丛枝菌根(AM)真菌接种水平:接种AM真菌(AM)和不接种对照(CK),研究了大田条件3种覆膜方式下接种AM真菌对半干旱区春播玉米根际土壤养分、有机碳含量及AM真菌特性(侵染率、根外菌丝密度与土壤球囊霉素)的影响。结果表明:3种覆膜方式下,与不接种对照相比,接种AM真菌显著提高了根系侵染率、根外菌丝密度、土壤中球囊霉素和有机碳含量、植株干重、碳氮比和土壤含水量,同时显著促进了土壤养分吸收(个别例外),其中土壤根外菌丝密度、易提取球囊霉素、有机碳、速效磷和速效钾含量、碳氮比随着覆膜方式由无覆膜-半覆膜-全覆膜的变化呈降低趋势,而植株干重、土壤中总球囊霉素、全氮和含水量随着覆膜方式由无覆膜-半覆膜-全覆膜的变化呈升高的趋势。全覆膜结合接种AM真菌在促进西北半干旱地区田间作物生长、提高土壤含水量、以及改善菌根侵染率、菌丝密度与土壤中球囊霉素含量的作用最大,但降低了土壤养分,后期还可能需要通过合理施肥措施加以维持土壤肥力水平。相关分析表明,土壤根外菌丝密度和球囊霉素含量与土壤矿质养分和水分存在一定程度的协同效应,接种AM真菌有助于根际土壤养分转化,促进植物生长。     

荒漠油蒿根围AM真菌与球囊霉素的时空分布

2007年4月、7月和10月分别于陕西省榆林市北部沙地的油蒿(Artemisia.ordosica)根围分0～10 cm,10～20 cm,20～30 cm,30～40 cm和40～50 cm 5个土层采集土壤样品,系统研究了油蒿根围丛枝菌根(Arbuscular mycorrhiza,简称AM)真菌和球囊霉素的时空分布及与土壤因子的相关性.结果表明,油蒿根围AM真菌总定殖率为89.54%、泡囊定殖率为26.24%,丛枝定殖率为21.08%,孢子密度为2.91～6.17个/g土,说明油蒿能与AM真菌形成良好共生关系.从土壤样品中共分离出4属21种AM真菌,其中球囊霉属(Glomus)为优势属,地球囊霉 (G.geosporum)为优势种.油蒿根围AM真菌和球囊霉素具有明显的时空异质性,并与土壤因子密切相关.菌丝定殖率随季节变换逐渐增加,泡囊定殖率和丛枝定殖率在夏季最低,春秋相对较高,与孢子密度季相变化相反.油蒿根围总球囊霉素在0～20 cm 土层含量最高,随土层深度增加而递减.易提取球囊霉素含量随土层深度增加波动较大.球囊霉素春季含量最高,夏秋含量降低.总球囊霉素和易提取球囊霉素与土壤养分、土壤酶活性、AM真菌孢子密度均有极显著相关性,二者能综合反应土壤AM真菌群落、有机C动态和养分循环进程,应作为土壤质量及功能评价的新指标进一步深入研究.     

石油污染土壤中不同人工林木根际丛枝菌根真菌与球囊霉素的研究

以陕西延长县石油污染区常见的13种人工种植林木为材料,测定了各人工种植林木根际丛枝菌根(AM)真菌发育状况、污染土壤的理化性质、土壤酶活性和球囊霉素含量,探讨AM真菌在石油污染土壤生态修复中的作用。结果表明,13种林木均能形成AM,其定殖率平均为63.2%,孢子密度平均为1.93个.g-1干土,其中受污染程度最低的柠条AM真菌定殖率和孢子密度最高,分别为91.6%和4.73个.g-1干土;毛白杨、狼牙刺和刺槐的根际土壤养分(有机碳、碱解氮、速效磷)含量相对较高;各种人工种植林木的根际土壤球囊霉素含量、多酚氧化酶和过氧化氢酶活性随根际土壤石油烃污染浓度的增加而明显升高,其中刺槐、狼牙刺和酸枣根际土壤的过氧化氢酶和多酚氧化酶活性都较高,同时这3种林木的球囊霉素含量也较高。因此,林木根际土壤球囊霉素含量、多酚氧化酶和过氧化氢酶活性可以作为石油污染的敏感指标。     

松嫩平原农业区土壤理化性质与真菌代谢产物——球囊霉素相关土壤蛋白的关系

对不同土壤深度的真菌特征代谢产物球囊霉素相关土壤蛋白(glomalin-related soil protein,GRSP)与土壤理化性质相关关系的研究,有助于揭示土壤真菌在不同土壤深度对养分的调节作用。本研究在松嫩平原农田5个土层(0~100 cm)采集360个土样,分析了易提取球囊霉素相关土壤蛋白(EE-GRSP)、总提取球囊霉素相关土壤蛋白(T-GRSP)含量和11个土壤理化性质指标及其相关关系。结果表明:表层EE-GRSP和T-GRSP平均含量为0.74和6.0 mg·g-1,随土层加深均呈显著下降趋势;深层土壤养分储量较大,有机碳、全氮、全磷、全钾、碱解氮、速效磷和速效钾储量在深层(40~100 cm)占总储量的41.2%~62.8%;土壤p H、容重、含水量和电导率也表现了明显的垂直变化规律;各理化性质在不同土层与GRSP的相关关系不同,有机碳在全部深度与GRSP均有显著的相关关系,而p H与GRSP均在20~100 cm深度有极显著的相关性(P0.01),且与EE-GRSP、T-GRSP显著相关的理化性质指标分别在60~80、20~60 cm最多,在表层最少;GRSP在深层土壤与各指标的相关性与表层不同,可能会影响GRSP对不同土壤深度养分的调节功能;鉴于深层土壤中GRSP与养分显著相关,本研究提出,种植与土壤真菌具有共生关系的深根性植物是对富集养分的深层土壤进行生物修复的有效方法。     

球囊霉素相关土壤蛋白与根系形态的相关性研究

球囊霉素相关土壤蛋白(GRSP)是丛枝菌根(AM)真菌菌丝分泌的糖蛋白,能够促进土壤团聚体的形成。多种因素影响GRSP的产量,植物根系形态是否通过碳素竞争机制影响GRSP产量目前尚不清楚。以Glomus mosseae的两个生态型菌株和红三叶草Trifolium repense为试材,通过砂培试验探讨宿主的根系形态与GRSP产量的相关性。发现接种AM真菌导致宿主细根的比例降低,粗根的比例增加,但对总根长和根表面积没有影响;侵染率和菌丝长度随着时间的延长而增加,菌株之间存在显著差异;接种AM真菌导致GRSP产量显著提高;GRSP产量与根系形态没有显著的相关性,但是与侵染率和菌丝长度显著相关。结果表明,尽管宿主根系形态建成和AM真菌都对碳素具有竞争关系,但是前者并没有抑制GRSP的形成,可能存在根系碳素分配的自调控机制。     

丛枝菌根真菌产球囊霉素研究进展

球囊霉素（Glomalin）是由丛枝菌根真菌（arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi,AMF）产生的一种含金属离子的糖蛋白,由于丛枝菌根真菌在自然和人工陆生生态系统中广泛分布,丛枝菌根真菌在生态系统中的生态学功能一直是菌根生物学研究中诱人的问题。自1996年球囊霉素被发现以来,球囊霉素在土壤生态系统中的生态学功能、生态学地位日益受到重视。本文对球囊霉素作为土壤主要有机源和超级胶的功能作了简介,综述了球囊霉素的研究现状,并对其研究前景作了展望。     

当归不同生长时期根际丛枝真菌分布及土壤养分和酶活性的动态变化

【目的】探讨当归不同生长时期丛枝菌根真菌(Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi,AMF)的分布及土壤养分和土壤酶活的变化,以期了解当归不同生长时期AMF与土壤养分和土壤酶活的关系,为AMF在当归种植的应用提供理论依据。【方法】在当归不同生长时期分别采集根际土壤样品,测定其土壤养分、土壤酶活、AMF孢子密度和球囊霉素等因子,分析当归不同生长时期根际土壤AMF孢子密度、土壤养分和土壤酶活等指标的动态变化和相关性。【结果】随着当归生育期的完成,根际土壤AMF孢子密度先降低后持续升高;易提取球囊霉素(Easily extractable glomalin,EEG)和总球囊霉素(Total glomalin,TG)平稳增加,而且EET与TG和脲酶活性呈显著正相关(P0.01),EET和TG与根际土壤有机质和全氮含量以及酸性和中性磷酸酶活性均显著正相关(P0.05);根际土壤有机质和全氮表现为增加的总趋势;有效磷含量呈现为生长前期保持不变、中期显著降低、后期逐渐升高的趋势,而有效钾含量先逐渐增加,生长中后期显著降低的趋势;根际土壤酸性和中性磷酸酶活性均呈现逐渐增加趋势,而脲酶活性表现为生长前期逐渐增加,中后期显著降低;p H值在当归不同生长时期有所波动。相关性分析结果表明,AMF孢子密度与土壤酸性磷酸酶酶活性呈显著正相关,而酸性磷酸酶酶活性与根际土壤全氮、有机质、易提取球囊霉素和总球囊霉素呈显著正相关,与有效磷和有效钾含量呈显著负相关,表明AMF对根际土壤养分和酶活性具有一定的调节作用;主成分分析结果表明,不同生长时期是影响当归根际土壤理化指标的主要因素。【结论】AMF孢子密度在当归根际的动态变化一定程度上反映出了AMF分泌球囊霉素的能力,以及球囊霉素对增加根际土壤碳氮储存的贡献,同时表明球囊霉素影响了当归根际土壤酶活性和其它养分的代谢循环,对改良土壤和促进当归生长发挥重要的作用。     

Glomalin, an arbuscular-mycorrhizal fungal soil protein, responds to land-use change

Glomalin is a soil proteinaceous substance produced by arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi. Most of the information available concerning this protein has been collected in relation to its role in soil aggregation. In this study, we explored the distribution of glomalin across soil horizons, decomposition of glomalin, and relationship with soil C and N in an agricultural field, a native forest, and an afforested system. Glomalin was present in A, B, and C horizons in decreasing concentrations. Land-use type significantly affected glomalin concentrations (mg cm^–3), with native forest soils having the highest concentrations of the three land-use types in both A and B horizons. In terms of glomalin stocks (Mg ha^–1), calculated based on corrected horizon weights, the agricultural area was significantly lower than both afforested and native forest areas. As measured after a 413 day laboratory soil incubation, glomalin was least persistent in the A horizon of the afforested area.. In agricultural soils and native soils, ca. 50% of glomalin was still remaining after this incubation, indicating that some glomalin may be in the slow or recalcitrant soil C fraction. Comparison of glomalin decomposition with CO₂-C respired during incubation indicates that glomalin makes a large contribution to active soil organic C pools. Soil C and N were highly correlated with glomalin across all soils and within each land-use type, indicating that glomalin may be under similar controls as soil C. Our results show that glomalin may be useful as an indicator of land-use change effects on deciduous forest soils.     

Seasonality of arbuscular mycorrhizal hyphae and glomalin in a western Montana grassland

In order to more fully understand the basic biology of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF), and their role in natural ecosystems, it is necessary to document seasonal changes of various aspects of the life history of these fungi. Due to their unique position at the root-soil interface, AMF have been described as `keystone mutualists' in ecosystems. Despite the importance of AMF in ecosystems, few studies exist that examine the seasonality of external hyphae and their exuded products (e.g. glomalin), the AMF variables directly related to ecosystem function through their contributions to soil aggregation. This study examined seasonal dynamics of several soil variables, with a specific interest in the seasonality of external hyphae and glomalin, a glycoprotein produced by AMF, which is correlated with soil aggregate stability. Here we measured glomalin concentrations and external AMF and non-AMF hyphal length, as well as soil moisture, percent fungal root colonization (AMF and non-AMF), and root length in soil in an intermountain grassland in western Montana over one growing season (13 time points). Of the glomalin pools and hyphal lengths measured, significant seasonal changes occurred for total glomalin (TG; 24.5% change), immunoreactive easily extractable glomalin (IREEG; 53.8% change), and AM hyphal length (107% change). Prior studies on glomalin in natural systems have not considered seasonal effects. The small seasonal change in glomalin pools lends further support to the hypothesis that glomalin is relatively stable in soils, and suggests that one-time sampling may be sufficient to satisfactorily capture this response variable. However, the generality of this observation has yet to be tested in a wider range of ecosystems.     

Glomalin: an arbuscular mycorrhizal fungal soil protein

Glomalin is abundant in soils and is closely correlated with aggregate water stability. Glomalin contains carbon and, hence, constitutes a non-trivial portion of the terrestrial carbon pool. Possibly far more importantly, however, stabilization of aggregates amplifies the role of glomalin in soils because carbonaceous compounds are protected from degradation inside of aggregates. Increased atmospheric CO₂ can lead to increased production of glomalin because of the symbiotic association that exists between plants and producers of glomalin, arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF). Glomalin concentrations in soils are influenced by management practices, for example, in agroecosystems, further highlighting the role of this protein in carbon storage. Glomalin is an unusual molecule that has proven difficult to analyze biochemically due to its recalcitrance and complexity. Future research will be directed towards the elucidation of its structure and controls on its production.     

The influence of different stresses on glomalin levels in an arbuscular mycorrhizal fungus--salinity increases glomalin content

Glomalin is a glycoprotein produced by arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi, and the soil fraction containing glomalin is correlated with soil aggregation. Thus, factors potentially influencing glomalin production could be of relevance for this ecosystem process and for understanding AM fungal physiology. Previous work indicated that glomalin production in AM fungi may be a stress response, or related to suboptimal mycelium growth. We show here that environmental stress can enhance glomalin production in the mycelium of the AM fungus Glomus intraradices. We applied NaCl and glycerol in different intensities to the medium in which the fungus was grown in vitro, causing salinity stress and osmotic stress, respectively. As a third stress type, we simulated grazing on the extraradical hyphae of the fungus by mechanically injuring the mycelium by clipping. NaCl caused a strong increase, while the clipping treatment led to a marginally significant increase in glomalin production. Even though salinity stress includes osmotic stress, we found substantially different responses in glomalin production due to the NaCl and the glycerol treatment, as glycerol addition did not cause any response. Thus, our results indicate that glomalin is involved in inducible stress responses in AM fungi for salinity, and possibly grazing stress.     

库布齐沙漠白沙蒿根际丛枝菌根及其球囊霉素的时空异质性

为探明流动沙地先峰植物白沙蒿(Artemisia sphaerocephala)根际丛枝菌根真菌产球囊霉素时空分布, 在库布齐沙漠选设白沙蒿样地, 于春、夏和秋季分0-10, 10-20, 20-30, 30-40和40-50 cm土层采集土壤样品, 测定其根际丛枝菌根真菌的菌丝侵染率、孢子密度、球囊霉素含量和土壤理化因子, 并系统分析了两两间的相互关系。结果表明: ①白沙蒿和丛枝菌根真菌具有良好的共生关系, 夏季和秋季的真菌菌丝侵染率略高于春季, 夏季平均为89.75%, 秋季平均达到92.37%, 两季的最大值都出现在20-30 cm土层。②白沙蒿根际丛枝菌根真菌活性有明显的空间异质性。真菌孢子密度为1.21-12.31 个·g土-1, 最大值出现在夏季的0-10 cm土层。孢子密度在不同季节有显著差异, 夏季>秋季>春季, 各季都随土层加深而递减。③白沙蒿根际土壤中总球囊霉素含量范围为0.37-1.27 mg·g-1, 易提取球囊霉素含量范围为0.19-0.81 mg·g-1, 两者在各季节最大值都出现在0-10cm土层, 呈现明显的表层土富集性。④球囊霉素与土壤中真菌孢子密度呈极显著正相关, 并和土壤养分及大多土壤酶活性呈显著正相关, 可作为评价土壤丛枝菌根真菌活性和土壤肥力的重要指标。     

A survey of soils for aggregate stability and glomalin,a glycoprotein produced by hyphae of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi

Understanding the contributions of soil microorganisms to soil stabilization at the molecular level will lead to ways to enhance inputs for sustainable agricultural systems. Recent discoveries of copious production of glycoprotein (glomalin) by arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi and the apparent recalcitrance of this material in soils led to the comparison between concentration of glomalin and aggregate stability. Stability was measured on air-dried aggregates rewetted by capillary action and then subjected to wet sieving for 10 min. Thirty-seven samples from four geographic areas of the U.S. and one area of Scotland were tested. The monoclonal antibody used to discover glomalin on AM hyphae was employed to assess immunoreactive glomalin on aggregate surfaces by immunofluorescence and in extracts from aggregates by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Immunofluorescence was observed on at least some surfaces of aggregates from all soils examined, but was most evident on aggregates with high glomalin concentrations. Easily extractable glomalin (EEG) was solubilized by 20 mM citrate, pH 7.0 at 121 °C for 30 min, and total glomalin (TG) was solubilized with 50 mM citrate, pH 8.0 at 121 °C for 90 to 450 min. Some soils required up to seven sequential extractions to remove all of the glomalin. Aggregate stability was linearly correlated (p < 0.001) with all measures of glomalin (mg/g of aggregates) in these soils. The best predictor of aggregate stability (AS) was immunoreactive easily extractable glomalin (IREEG) according to the following relationship: AS = 42.7 +61.3 × log₁₀ IREEG (r₂ = 0.86; p <0.001, n = 37).     

Mycorrhizal responses to nitrogen fertilization in boreal ecosystems: potential consequences for soil carbon storage

Mycorrhizal fungi can contribute to soil carbon sequestration by immobilizing carbon in living fungal tissues and by producing recalcitrant compounds that remain in the soil following fungal senescence. We hypothesized that nitrogen (N) fertilization would decrease these carbon stocks, because plants should reduce investment of carbon in mycorrhizal fungi when N availability is high. We measured the abundance of two major groups of mycorrhizal fungi, arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) and ectomycorrhizal (ECM) fungi, in the top 10 cm of soil in control and N-fertilized plots within three Alaskan boreal ecosystems that represented different recovery stages following severe fire. Pools of mycorrhizal carbon included root-associated AM and ECM structures; soil-associated AM hyphae; and glomalin, a glycoprotein produced by AM fungi. Total mycorrhizal carbon pools decreased by approximately 50 g C m⁻² in the youngest site under N fertilization, and this reduction was driven mostly by glomalin. Total mycorrhizal carbon did not change significantly in the other sites. Root-associated AM structures were more abundant under N fertilization across all sites, and root-associated ECM structures increased marginally significantly. We found no significant N effects on AM hyphae. Carbon sequestered within living mycorrhizal structures (0.051–0.21 g m⁻²) was modest compared with that of glomalin (33–203 g m⁻²). We conclude that our hypothesis was only supported in relation to glomalin stocks within one of the three study sites. As N effects on glomalin were inconsistent among sites, an understanding of the mechanisms underlying this variation would improve our ability to predict ecosystem feedbacks to global change.     

A fluorescent antibody assay for hyphae and glomalin from arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi

Studies on the role of arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi in soil have been aided by the use of a monoclonal antibody that detects a molecule common to all isolates of these fungi studied to date. The molecule, glomalin, is a glycoprotein that forms on hyphae, but apparently sloughs off and adheres to soil particles or imbedded plastic mesh. An indirect immunofluorescence (IF) assay is described for detection of glomalin on hyphae attached to roots, in roots, on hyphae traps and on the surface of soil aggregates. Small sieves are used to process hyphae attached to roots and soil aggregates. Glomalin on hyphae and glomalin attached to plastic or nylon are assayed on a 1 cm² section of meshes. Examples of IF assay results are shown and discussed. This revised version was published online in June 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Elevated carbon dioxide and irrigation effects on water stable aggregates in a Sorghum field: a possible role for arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi

While soil biota and processes are becoming increasingly appreciated as important parameters for consideration in global change studies, the fundamental characteristic of soil structure is a neglected area of research. In a sorghum [Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench] field experiment in which CO₂[supplied using free‐air CO₂ enrichment (FACE) technology] was crossed factorially with an irrigation treatment, soil aggregate (1–2 mm) water stability increased in response to elevated CO₂. Aggregate water stability was increased by 40% and 20% in response to CO₂, at ample and limited water supply treatments, respectively. Soil hyphal lengths of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) increased strongly (with a threefold increase in the dry treatment) in response to CO₂, and the concentrations of one fraction (easily extractable glomalin, EEG) of the AMF‐produced protein glomalin were also increased. Two fractions of glomalin, and AMF hyphal lengths were all positively correlated with soil aggregate water stability. The present results further support the hypothesis that AMF can become important in global change scenarios. Although in this field study a causal relationship between hyphal length, glomalin and aggregate stability cannot be demonstrated, the present data do suggest that AMF could mediate changes in soil structure under elevated CO₂. This could be of great importance in agricultural systems threatened by erosional soil loss.