水分胁迫下AM真菌对枳实生苗叶片矿质营养吸收的影响

在温室盆栽条件下研究丛枝菌根真菌(AM真菌)Glomus versiforme对水分胁迫下(正常水分为对照)的枳[Poncirus trifoliata (L.) Raf.]实生苗叶片矿质营养吸收的影响.研究表明,水分胁迫显著抑制AM真菌对枳实生苗根系的侵染.无论在正常水分还是在水分胁迫下,AM真菌的感染显著提高枳实生苗叶片P、K和Ca的含量,水分胁迫下的菌根贡献率均高于对照;AM真菌的接种对叶片N、Mg和Cu含量没有显著影响.与未接种处理相比,AM真菌处理仅对水分胁迫下的枳实生苗叶片Fe和Zn含量有显著促进作用.研究还表明,接种处理降低叶片Mn含量,正常水分下达到显著水平.     

水分胁迫下丛枝菌根AM真菌对民勤绢蒿生长与抗旱性的影响

采用盆栽试验,研究了水分胁迫下接种丛枝菌根AM真菌对民勤绢蒿(Seriphidium minchünense)生长和抗旱性的影响。结果表明,不同水分条件下,接种AM真菌提高了民勤绢蒿菌根侵染率和生物量,增加了地上部和地下部全P含量,重度胁迫下接种株地上部总黄酮含量显著升高,而对分枝数和地上部、地下部全N含量无显著影响。水分胁迫提高了民勤绢蒿菌根依赖性和全N、全P菌根贡献率。不同生长时期接种AM真菌均能提高植株叶片相对含水量、可溶性蛋白和叶绿素含量;前期接种株叶片可溶性糖含量显著低于未接种株,而中后期可溶性糖含量显著高于未接种株;整个生长时期接种株比未接种株叶片维持较低的脯氨酸含量;不同生长时期接种株叶片全N和全P含量显著升高,重度胁迫下接种株叶片总黄酮含量显著升高。AM真菌促进宿主植物生长和增强抗旱性可能是AM真菌直接促进宿主植物根系对土壤水分和矿质元素吸收和间接改善植株体内生理代谢活动的缘故。     

水分胁迫下AM真菌对沙打旺生长和抗旱性的影响

利用盆栽试验研究了水分胁迫条件下接种AM真菌对优良牧草和固沙植物沙打旺(Astragalus adsurgens Pall.)生长和抗旱性的影响。在土壤相对含水量为70%、50%和30%条件下,分别接种摩西球囊霉(Glomus mosseae)和沙打旺根际土著菌,不接种处理作为对照。结果表明,水分胁迫显著降低了沙打旺植株(无论接种AM真菌与否)的株高、分枝数、地上部干重和地下部干重,并显著提高了土著AM真菌的侵染率,对摩西球囊霉的侵染率无显著影响。接种AM真菌可以促进沙打旺生长和提高植株抗旱性,但促进效应因土壤含水量和菌种不同而存在差异。不同水分条件下,接种AM真菌显著提高了植株菌根侵染率、根系活力、地下部全N含量和叶片CAT活性。土壤相对含水量为30%和50%时,接种株地上部全N、叶片叶绿素、可溶性蛋白、脯氨酸含量和POD活性显著高于未接种株;接种AM真菌显著降低了叶片MDA含量;接种土著AM真菌的植株株高、分枝数、地上部和地下部干重显著高于未接种株。土壤相对含水量为30%时,接种AM真菌显著增加了地上部全P含量和叶片相对含水量;接种摩西球囊霉的植株株高、分枝数、地上部和地下部干重显著高于未接种株。水分胁迫40d,接种AM真菌显著提高了叶片可溶性糖含量。水分胁迫80d,接种株叶片SOD活性显著增加。菌根依赖性随水分胁迫程度增加而提高。沙打旺根际土著菌接种效果优于摩西球囊霉。水分胁迫和AM真菌的交互作用对分枝数、菌根侵染率、叶片SOD、CAT和POD活性、叶绿素、脯氨酸、可溶性蛋白、地上部全N和全P、地下部全N和根系活力有极显著影响,对叶片丙二醛和地下部全P有显著影响。AM真菌促进根系对土壤水分和矿质营养的吸收,改善植物生理代谢活动,从而提高沙打旺抗旱性,促进其生长。试验结果为筛选优良抗旱菌种,充分利用AM真菌资源促进荒漠植物生长和植被恢复提供了依据。     

丛枝菌根真菌和施氮量对茶树生长、矿质元素吸收与茶叶品质的影响

采用盆栽法研究了不同施氮水平下接种丛枝菌根（arbuscular mycorrhiza,AM）真菌Glomus mosseae对茶树生长、矿质元素吸收及茶叶品质的影响。结果表明,适量的施氮利于AM真菌的侵染和菌根发育,当施氮过量时则会抑制菌根发育。在不同施氮水平下接种AM真菌均提高了茶树地上部、地下部和总干物质量,其中又以接种AM真菌同时施氮量为0.53g kg-1的茶树总干物质量最大,为对照的1.63倍。不同矿质元素受AM真菌和氮肥的影响不一致,在一定施氮水平下接种AM真菌可提高茶树叶片中N、P、K、Ca、Zn和Fe含量,降低Mn和Cu含量;显著增加根中N、P、K、Mg和Zn含量,降低Mn含量,施高浓度的氮（1.06 g kg-1）显著降低了根系Ca和Fe含量。不同施氮水平下AM真菌处理可增加茶叶中可溶性糖和可溶性蛋白含量,提高了茶叶中茶多酚、咖啡碱、氨基酸和水浸出物含量,降低酚氨比,显著改善茶叶品质。本实验条件下,茶树施氮量为0.53 g kg-1时,接种AM真菌改善茶叶品质的效果最佳。     

不同水肥条件下AM真菌对丹参幼苗生长和营养成分的影响

利用盆栽接种试验,探讨不同水肥条件下AM真菌摩西球囊霉Glomus mosseae对丹参幼苗生长和微量元素的影响,为丹参水肥合理施用提供理论依据。结果表明,不同水肥条件下,接种AM真菌显著提高了根系侵染率和生物量。40%相对含水量、不同施P水平,接种株丹参酮含量升高,总黄酮、丹参素及地下部总酚酸含量降低,植株Zn及地上部Ca、K、Mn、Fe含量升高,而对植株Mg、Cu和地下部Ca、K、Mn、Fe无显著影响;接种效应随施P量不同而变化。70%相对含水量、不同施P水平,接种株药用成分含量显著升高,植株Ca、Mn和地上部K、Cu及地下部Fe和Zn含量升高,而对植株Mg、地下部K、Cu和地上部Fe和Zn含量无显著影响。不同水分和同一施P水平,接种株丹参酮含量升高,地上部Ca、K和地下部Zn含量升高,接种效应因土壤含水量不同而变化,其中以70%含水量时效果最好。说明AM真菌能促进宿主植物根系对水分和矿质元素的吸收与利用,提高水分和P肥利用率,降低水分和P胁迫对丹参的伤害程度,其中以70%相对含水量,施P量为0.16 gP/kg土时AM真菌对丹参的接种效果最佳。     

水分胁迫下AM真菌对柠条锦鸡儿(Caragana korshinskii)生长和抗旱性的影响

利用盆栽实验研究了水分胁迫条件下AM真菌对柠条锦鸡儿(Caragana korshinskii)生长和抗旱性的影响.在土壤相对含水量为80%、60%和40%条件下,分别接种摩西球囊霉(Glomus mosseae)和柠条锦鸡儿根际土著菌,结果表明,水分胁迫对AM真菌的接种效果有显著影响.不同水分条件下,接种AM真菌显著提高了宿主植物根系菌根侵染率.土壤相对含水量为40%～60%时,接种株的株高、茎粗、生物干重和叶片保水力明显高于不接种株;接种AM真菌提高了植株对土壤有效N和有效P的利用率,增加了植株全P、叶片叶绿素和可溶性糖含量以及SOD、POD、CAT等保护酶活性.土壤相对含水量为40%时,叶片MDA含量明显下降.水分胁迫条件下,以接种柠条锦鸡儿根际土著菌的效果最佳.AM真菌增强宿主植物的抗旱性可能源于促进宿主植物根系对土壤水分和矿质元素吸收的直接作用和改善植物体内生理代谢活动、提高保护酶活性的间接作用.     

EFFECTS OF AM FUNGI AND WATER STRESS ON DROUGHT RESISTANCE OF ARTEMISIA ORDOSICA IN DIFFERENT SOILS

 利用两种不同土壤研究了水分胁迫和接种AM真菌(摩西球囊霉(Glomus mosseae)和油蒿(Artemisia ordosica)根际土著AM真菌)对毛乌素沙地重要演替物种油蒿生长和抗旱性的影响。结果表明, 两种土壤中水分胁迫没有显著影响油蒿的植株形态和含水量, 但严重抑制了菌根侵染率。水分胁迫促使油蒿提高叶片保水能力, 抑制N、P在地上部的分配。在胁迫前期SOD活性较高, 而POD活性在后期较高。同一水分条件下接种AM真菌显著提高了AM真菌侵染率, 土壤中孢子数显著增多, 提高了植株分枝数并促进侧根发育, 显著提高根冠比和植株保水能力, 加强了根系对全磷、全氮的吸收。接种AM真菌的植株可溶性糖和丙二醛含量较低, 可溶性蛋白含量无显著变化, SOD和POD活性提高, 油蒿抗旱性加强。水分胁迫下在不同土壤中接种不同AM真菌对油蒿的促进效应差异较大, 接种土著AM真菌的效果优于摩西球囊霉单一接种。干旱导致菌根侵染率下降是宿主植物吸水能力下降的原因之一, 在植物生长前期接种AM真菌可以增强植物抵抗生长中后期环境干旱的能力。     

纳米氧化锌和接种丛枝菌根真菌对大豆生长及营养吸收的影响

纳米氧化锌是应用最广的人工纳米颗粒(nanoparticles,NPs)之一,具有一定生物毒性。丛枝菌根(arbuscular mycorrhizal,AM)真菌能与陆地上80%以上的高等植物形成丛枝菌根共生体,并能改善宿主植物矿质营养,提高其抗逆性。然而纳米ZnO与丛枝菌根的关系尚不清楚。通过温室沙培盆栽试验,研究了施加不同水平纳米ZnO(0、500、1000、2000、3000 mg/kg)和接种AM真菌Acaulospora mellea对大豆生长及营养状况的影响。结果表明,3000 mg/kg的纳米ZnO显著抑制大豆植株生长,表现出植物毒性,在其他水平时没有显著影响。纳米ZnO在施加水平500、1000 mg/kg时没有抑制AM真菌对大豆根系的侵染,但是高施加水平(2000 mg/kg)时对AM真菌产生毒害,几乎完全抑制大豆根系菌根侵染。接种AM真菌仅在500 mg/kg纳米ZnO时显著促进大豆生长,增加大豆植株对P、K、N的吸收,降低根系Zn含量。纳米ZnO可能会持续释放锌离子,并抑制大豆根系对矿质营养元素的吸收,从而产生生物毒性,而AM真菌与大豆根系的共生可起到有益作用。     

AM真菌对盐胁迫下白芨生长和养分吸收的影响

土壤盐渍化是世界性的生态环境问题之一。关于丛枝菌根真菌(AM真菌)对盐胁迫下白芨生长和养分吸收的影响研究相对较少。以白芨幼苗为研究对象，设置盐处理(0 mM和200 mM)和AM真菌处理(不接种AM真菌和接种摩西球囊霉)各两个水平共计4个处理组合，探讨盐胁迫下AM真菌对白芨幼苗生长和养分吸收的影响。结果表明，盐胁迫显著降低白芨根系侵染率、总干重和地上部分P含量分别约56.1%、48.9%和10%；在对照盐浓度下，接种AM真菌显著提高了白芨根系侵染率、总干重、地上部分N含量及地上部分P含量分别约14%、56.1%、10.8%和8.2%而在高盐浓度下，接种AM真菌则显著提高白芨根系侵染率、总干重、地上部分N含量及地下部分P含量分别约42.7%、30.7%、12.1%和11%，说明接种AM真菌可降低盐胁迫对白芨的生长和养分吸收的抑制作用。以上结果表明，接种AM真菌有助于提高白芨的耐盐能力，这对应用菌根技术提高白芨在盐化生境的种植和管理具有理论和实践指导意义。     

水分胁迫和杀真菌剂对黄顶菊生长和抗旱性的影响

利用盆栽试验研究水分胁迫下AM真菌对黄顶菊生长和抗旱性的影响,揭示黄顶菊入侵过程中的微生物学机制。以苯菌灵为杀真菌剂,在土壤相对含水量为120%、80%、40%和20%条件下,分别设灭菌和不灭菌两种处理。结果表明,水分胁迫显著降低了黄顶菊株高、干重和主根长,而对AM真菌侵染率无显著影响。施用苯菌灵显著降低了菌根侵染率、叶片保水力、保护酶活性、可溶性糖和可溶性蛋白含量,提高了MDA含量。不灭菌处理下黄顶菊植株对土壤有效N和有效P的利用率较高,且植株全N、P含量显著高于灭菌处理,菌根贡献率随土壤相对含水量降低而逐渐提高,重度胁迫分别是渍水条件下的1.84和1.88倍。土壤水分状况和AM真菌的交互作用对黄顶菊生物量和生理指标影响显著。AM真菌共生能够促进黄顶菊根系对土壤水分和矿质营养吸收,改善植物代谢活动,提高抗旱性。实验结果为黄顶菊合理防控措施的制定提供了依据,同时作为丛枝菌根的基础性研究也具有重要的意义。     

Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungal species suppress inducible plant responses and alter defensive strategies following herbivory

In a greenhouse experiment using Plantago lanceolata, plants grown with different arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungal species differed in constitutive levels of chemical defense depending on the species of AM fungi with which they were associated. AM fungal inoculation also modified the induced chemical response following herbivory by the specialist lepidopoteran herbivore Junonia coenia, and fungal species varied in how they affected induced responses. On average, inoculation with AM fungi substantially reduced the induced chemical response as compared with sterile controls, and inoculation with a mixture of AM fungi suppressed the induced response of P. lanceolata to herbivory. These results suggest that AM fungi can exert controlling influence over plant defensive phenotypes, and a portion of the substantial variation among experimental tests of induced chemical responses may be attributable to AM fungi.     

Arbuscular mycorrhizas and ectomycorrhizas of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Uapaca bojeri</Emphasis> L. (Euphorbiaceae): sporophore diversity,patterns of root colonization,and effects on seedling growth and soil microbial catabolic diversity

The main objectives of this study were (1) to describe the diversity of mycorrhizal fungal communities associated with Uapaca bojeri, an endemic Euphorbiaceae of Madagascar, and (2) to determine the potential benefits of inoculation with mycorrhizal fungi [ectomycorrhizal and/or arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi] on the growth of this tree species and on the functional diversity of soil microflora. Ninety-four sporophores were collected from three survey sites. They were identified as belonging to the ectomycorrhizal genera Afroboletus, Amanita, Boletus, Cantharellus, Lactarius, Leccinum, Rubinoboletus, Scleroderma, Tricholoma, and Xerocomus. Russula was the most frequent ectomycorrhizal genus recorded under U. bojeri. AM structures (vesicles and hyphae) were detected from the roots in all surveyed sites. In addition, this study showed that this tree species is highly dependent on both types of mycorrhiza, and controlled ectomycorrhization of this Uapaca species strongly influences soil microbial catabolic diversity. These results showed that the complex symbiotic status of U. bojeri could be managed to optimize its development in degraded areas. The use of selected mycorrhizal fungi such the Scleroderma Sc1 isolate in nursery conditions could be of great interest as (1) this fungal strain is very competitive against native symbiotic microflora, and (2) the fungal inoculation improves the catabolic potentialities of the soil microflora.     

Seasonal mycorrhizal colonization of winter wheat and its effect on wheat growth under dryland field conditions

 A field experiment was conducted to determine the seasonal patterns of arbuscular mycorrhiza (AM) in a dryland winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) system and to determine wheat growth and P uptake responses to inoculation with mycorrhizal fungus. Broadcast-incorporated treatments included (1) no inoculation with mycorrhizal fungus, with and without P fertilizer, and (2) mycorrhizal fungal inoculation at a rate of 5000 spores of Glomus intraradices (Schenck and Smith), per 30 cm in each row, with and without fertilizer P. Winter wheat was seeded within a day after treatments were imposed, and roots were sampled at five growth stages to quantify AM. Shoot samples were also taken for determination of dry matter, grain yield and yield components, and N and P uptake. No AM infection was evident during the fall months following seeding, which was characterized by low soil temperature, while during the spring, the AM increased gradually. Increases in wheat grain yields by enhanced AM were of similar magnitude to the response obtained from P fertilization. However, responses differed at intermediate growth stages. At the tillering stage, P uptake was mainly increased by P fertilization but not by fungal inoculation. At harvest, enhanced AM increased P uptake regardless of whether or not fertilizer P was added. The AM symbiosis increased with rising soil temperatures in the spring, in time to enhance late-season P accumulation and grain production. Accepted: 15 July 1998     

AM真菌对采煤沉陷区黄花菜生长及根际土壤养分的影响

于陕北黄土沟壑采煤沉陷区内布设试验小区,对黄花菜(Hemerocallis citrina Baroni)接种丛枝菌根真菌(arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi,AMF)—摩西管柄囊霉菌,通过测定黄花菜光合性能、植株生长、抗逆性、土壤养分含量、根际微生物数量等,揭示AM真菌对黄花菜生长和土壤养分的影响。结果表明,黄花菜种植3—5个月后,接种AM真菌显著提高了黄花菜株高、冠幅及其根系菌根侵染率、菌丝密度。与不接种对照区相比,接种AM真菌后黄花菜叶片的光合速率、可溶性糖含量和过氧化氢酶活性分别提高了51%、12%、79%。接种AM真菌处理区黄花菜根际土壤的电导率、有机质、碱解氮和速效钾含量等均显著高于对照区,细菌数量和磷酸酶活性的菌根贡献率分别达77%和24%。表明采煤沉陷区扰动土壤接种AM真菌具有增强土壤微生物活性、改善土壤肥力和提高黄花菜植株抗逆性的作用,对促进陕北黄土沟壑采煤沉陷区经济作物生长和提高土壤质量具有重要现实生态意义。     

The effects of arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungal and garlic mustard introductions on native AM fungal diversity

Introduced, non-native organisms are of global concern, because biological invasions can negatively affect local communities. Arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungal communities have not been well studied in this context. AM fungi are abundant in most soils, forming symbiotic root-associations with many plant species. Commercial AM fungal inocula are increasingly spread worldwide, because of potentially beneficial effects on plant growth. In contrast, some invasive plant species, such as the non-mycorrhizal Alliaria petiolata, can negatively influence AM fungi. In a greenhouse study we examined changes in the structure of a local Canadian AM fungal community in response to inoculation by foreign AM fungi and the manipulated presence/absence of A. petiolata. We expected A. petiolata to have a stronger effect on the local AM fungal community than the addition of foreign AM fungal isolates. Molecular analyses indicated that inoculated foreign AM fungi successfully established and decreased molecular diversity of the local AM fungal community in host roots. A. petiolata did not affect molecular diversity, but reduced AM fungal growth in the greenhouse study and in a in vitro assay. Our findings suggest that both introduced plants and exotic AM fungi can have negative impacts on local AM fungi.     

Occurrence of arbuscular mycorrhiza in Castanospermum australe A. Cunn. & C. Fraser and effects on growth and production of castanospermine

 Castanospermum australe A. Cunn. & C. Fraser is the only species of the genus Castanospermum (the Moreton Bay chestnut or black bean) native to NE Australia. One constituent of the plant, castanospermine, can inhibit the AIDS virus. The present study investigated possible symbioses between its roots and arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi. The effects of mycorrhizal fungi on the growth of the plant and yield of alkaloid castanospermine were also studied. The mycorrhizosphere soil and roots of C. australe collected from various sites in and around Sydney, Australia showed AM symbiotic associations with roots, with arbuscules and vesicles in the root cortices. Wet sieving and decanting yielded AM fungal spores, mainly Glomus spp. A positive correlation was found between AM fungal infection and the castanospermine content of seeds of field-grown trees. Field study results were confirmed by growing seedlings under greenhouse conditions and inoculating them with Glomus intraradices Schenck and Smith (INVAM isolate KS906) and Gigaspora margarita Becker & Hall (INVAM isolate BR444–2). The AM fungi increased the growth and P contents of plants and the yield of castanospermine in the leaves, irrespective of the P treatment. No correlation was found between the alkaloid contents of leaves from mycorrhizal seedlings and from non-mycorrhizal plants which received P. No significant difference in the production of castanospermine was found between P treatments when G. margarita was used as inoculum. Accepted: 14 April 1999     

干旱条件下AM真菌对植物生长和土壤水稳定性团聚体的影响

采用分室培养系统,模拟正常水分和干旱胁迫两种环境条件,探讨不同丛枝菌根真菌(arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi,AMF)对紫花苜蓿(Medicago sativa L.)生长和土壤水稳性团聚体的影响.试验条件下,Glomus intraradices对苜蓿根系的侵染率均显著高于Acaulospora scrobiculata和Diversispora spurcum接种处理.正常水分条件下,供试AM真菌均能显著提高植株生物量及磷浓度.干旱胁迫显著抑制了植株生长和菌根共生体发育,总体上菌根共生体对植株生长没有明显影响,接种D.spurcum甚至趋于降低植株生物量;同时,仅有G.intraradices显著提高了植株磷浓度.AM真菌主要影响到＞2mm的水稳性团聚体数量,以G.intraradices作用效果最为显著.在菌丝室中,G.intraradices显著提高了总球囊霉素含量.研究表明AM真菌对土壤大团聚体形成具有积极作用,而菌根效应因土壤水分条件和不同菌种而异,干旱胁迫下仅有G.intraradices对土壤结构和植物生长表现出显著积极作用.在应用菌根技术治理退化土壤时,需要选用抗逆性强共生效率高的菌株,对于不同AM真菌抗逆性差异的生物学与遗传学基础尚需进一步研究.     

塞北荒漠草原柠条锦鸡儿AM真菌的空间分布

为了探明塞北荒漠草原AM真菌生态分布规律,于2013年6月选取河北沽源县二牛点、内蒙古上都镇和青格勒图嘎查3个样地,按照0—10 cm、10—20 cm、20—30 cm、30—40 cm、40—50 cm 5个土层分别采集柠条锦鸡儿(Caragana korshinskii)根围土壤样品,研究了AM真菌空间分布特征及其与土壤因子的相关性。结果表明,柠条锦鸡儿根系能与AM真菌共生形成疆南星型丛枝菌根,AM真菌孢子密度和定殖率与样地和采样深度密切相关。二牛点孢子密度最大,3个样地孢子密度最大值均在0—10 cm土层,并随土层加深而减少;3个样地菌丝定殖率依次为上都镇青格勒图嘎查二牛点,峰值均在0—10 cm土层;泡囊定殖率青格勒图嘎查显著低于其他样地,但土层间无规律性变化;丛枝样地间定殖状况差异明显,变化趋势为青格勒图嘎查上都镇二牛点;AM真菌总定殖率和定殖强度最大值在上都镇。孢子密度与土壤有机C、全N、易提取球囊霉素和总球囊霉素极显著正相关,与p H值显著正相关,与速效P显著负相关;菌丝定殖率与土壤p H值、速效P、全N和酸性磷酸酶显著负相关;泡囊和丛枝定殖率与土壤碱解N和碱性磷酸酶具有极显著相关性;总球囊霉素和易提取球囊霉素与脲酶显著正相关,与碱解N、全N、碱性磷酸酶和酸性磷酸酶极显著正相关。主成分分析表明,酸性磷酸酶、总球囊霉素、全N、碱性磷酸酶、有机C是影响荒漠土壤营养状况的主要因子。总球囊霉素和易提取球囊霉素平均含量分别为3.19 mg/g和1.17 mg/g,占土壤有机C平均含量比为7.77%和3.83%,占土壤全N平均含量比为20.81%和9.57%。多元线性回归表明,总球囊霉素和易提取球囊霉素与土壤有机C和全N具有显著线性相关关系。研究球囊霉素与土壤有机C和N的比例关系可进一步明确AM真菌的生态功能,对荒漠土壤C库和N库研究具有重要意义。     

Indigenous populations of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi and soil aggregate stability are major determinants of leek (Allium porrum L.) response to inoculation with Glomus intraradices Schenck & Smith or Glomus versiforme (Karsten) Berch

 Knowledge of physical, chemical and biological soil characteristics influencing plant response to inoculation with arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi would help to distinguish soils where inoculation could be profitable. The relationship between leek (Allium porrum L.) response to mycorrhizal inoculation with Glomus intraradices Schenck & Smith or G. versiforme (Karsten) Berch and soil texture, bulk density, particle density, porosity, pH, organic matter content, available P, K, Ca, Mg, Fe, Zn, Cu, and Mn, soil structure, soil mycorrhizal potential (SM), preceding crop mycorrhizal potential, composition of indigenous mycorrhizal fungal communities, and the abundance of spores of different species, was studied in 81 agricultural soils using Principal Component Analysis and regression analysis. The nature of the indigenous AM fungi population was an important determinant of leek response to inoculation (RTI). In soils with more than 200 μg available P g^–1, SM potential accounted for over 27% of RTI with G. intraradices and G. versiforme, RTI being high in soils with low SM potential. In low P soils, however, a positive relation between the abundance of water stable soil aggregates in the 0.5–2 mm diameter range and RTI was most important. Low soil Zn and high porosity, abundant total mycorrhizal spore as well as scarcity of spores of G. aggregatum and of the group G. etunicatum-rubiforme were also associated to high RTI. The influence of water stable aggregation of soil on RTI was modulated by soil P levels. Abundance of soil aggregates was positively related to RTI at low soil P levels, but negatively related to RTI at high P levels. Different relationships were found between soil variables and spore abundance of different AM fungi species. Some AM species appear to have as yet undefined similarities or complementarities at the biological or ecological levels. Accepted: 23 July 1997     

Influences of Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungus Glomus mosseae on Growth and Nutrition of Lentil Irrigated with Arsenic Contaminated Water

Arsenic (As) contamination of irrigation water represents a major constraint to Bangladesh agriculture. While arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi have their most significant effect on P uptake, they have also been shown to alleviate metal toxicity to the host plant. This study examined the effects of As and inoculation with an AM fungus, Glomus mosseae, on lentil (Lens culinaris L. cv. Titore). Plants were grown with and without AM inoculum for 9 weeks in a sand and terra green mixture 50:50 v/v and watered with five levels of As (0, 1, 2, 5, 10 mg As L⁻¹ arsenate). Inoculum of Rhizobium leguminosarum b.v. Viceae strain 3841 was applied to all plants. Plants were fed with modified Hoagland solution (1/10 N of a full-strength solution and without P). Plant height, leaf number, pod number, plant biomass and shoot and root P concentration/offtake increased significantly due to mycorrhizal infection. Plant height, leaf/ pod number, plant biomass, root length, shoot P concentration/offtake, root P offtake and mycorrhizal infection decreased significantly with increasing As concentration. However, mycorrhizal inoculation reduced As concentration in roots and shoots. This study shows that growing lentil with compatible AM inoculum can minimise As toxicity and increase growth and P uptake.