Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi differ in affecting the flowering of a host plant under two soil phosphorus conditions

Aims Studies have showed that arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) can greatly promote the growth of host plants, but how AMF affect flowering phenology of host plants is not well known. Here, we conducted a pot experiment to test whether life cycle and flowering phenology traits of host plant Medicago truncatula Gaertn can be altered by AMF under low and high soil phosphorus (P) levels.Methods The experiment was conducted in a greenhouse at Zhejiang University in China (120°19′E, 30°26′N) and had a completely randomized design with two factors: AMF treatments and soil P levels. Six AMF species (Acaulospora scrobiculata, As; Gigaspora margarita, Gma; Funneliformis geosporum, Fg; Rhizophagus intraradices, Ri; Funneliformis mosseae, Fmo and Glomus tortuosum, Gt.) were used, and two soil P levels (24.0 and 5.7 mg kg^-1 Olsen-soluble P) were designed. The six AMF species were separately inoculated or in a mixture (Mix), and a non-AMF control (NAMF) was included. When plants began to flower, the number of flowers in each pot was recorded daily. During fruit ripening, the number of mature fruits was also recorded daily. After ~4 months, the biomass, biomass P content and AMF colonization of host plant were measured. Correlation between root colonization and first flowering time, or P content and first flowering time was analyzed.Important findings Under the low P level, first flowering time negatively correlated with root colonization and biomass P. Only host plants with AMF species As, Fg, Ri, or Mix were able to complete their life cycle within 112 days after sowing. And treatment with AMF species Fg, Gt, or As resulted in two periods of rapid flower production while other fungi treatments resulted in only one within 112 days after sowing. The cumulative number of flowers produced and biomass P content were highest with species Fg. Host biomass allocation significantly differed depending on the species of AMF. Under both soil P levels, the host plant tended to allocate more biomass to fruits in the Mix treatment than in the other treatments. These results indicated that the effects of AMF on host flowering phenology and biomass allocation differed depending on AMF species and soil P levels.     

Effects of mycorrhizal fungi inoculation and soil amendment with hydrogel on leaf anatomy,growth and physiology performance of olive plantlets under two contrasting water regimes

Abiotic stresses present a real environmental problem in agriculture field. In our paper, we examine the significance of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) and soil amendment with water retaining superpolymers (hydrogel) on growth and physiology performance of olive plantlets. Our experiment was carried out in nursery conditions, to test the impact of hydrogel (TH) and mycorrhizal fungi (TM), used individually or combined (THM), and compare them with non inoculated plants (TC), to understand and reduce the water stress damage in olive plantlets (cv. Chemlali). We also evaluate interactions between hydrogel, mycorrhizal treatments and water regimes. Results of mycorrhization (M%) show that roots colonized by Rhizophagus irregularis of well-watered plants were about 40.87%. In combined treatment (THM), M% was about 32.14%. Compared to TC treatment, TM treatment enhances significantly the dry weights of the whole plant under the two water regimes. The TM treatment had the highest relative water content (66.50%) and Chl (a?+?b) (0.83 mg g^??1) in stressed conditions. We found also that under water stress, the maximal quantum efficiency of the photosystem II measurements in leaves were significantly improved by 50.70% in TH treatment compared to control. For phenolic contents, TH treatment decreased significantly total phenols by 50.10% compared to TC. Our study gives evidence that the use of AMF and the hydrogel separately or in combination may enhance the capacity to avoid drought damages of olive plantlets and improve olive performances.     

陆地农业生态系统丛枝菌根真菌物种多样性研究进展

丛枝菌根真菌(AMF)是一种古老的、在自然界中普遍存在的土壤微生物,能与大部分陆生植物形成互惠互利的菌根共生体.在这种共生关系中,AMF从植物获取自身生长所需碳源的同时,帮助宿主吸收氮、磷等营养物质.AMF在农业生态系统中具有重要作用,能够促进植物生长、改善作物品质、提高植物抗逆性、稳定土壤结构、维护生态平衡和维持农业可持续发展.本文总结了近几年来陆地农业生态系统AMF的研究进展,着重从我国陆地农业生态系统AMF物种多样性、AMF生物多样性时空分布特征及影响AMF多样性的因素等几个方面,综述了陆地农业生态系统AMF的物种多样性,并对以后的研究进行了展望.     

Forest reclamation of fly ash deposit: a field study on appraisal of mycorrhizal inoculation

An extensive field trial was established on a fly ash deposit (1) to evaluate whether the inoculation with arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) and/or ectomycorrhizal fungi (EcMF) improves growth and survival of 13 planted tree species and (2) to trace the inoculated mycorrhizal fungi in tree roots after one growing season. Molecular methods were applied to characterize AMF and EcMF entering the studied system (inocula, native soil, and roots of nursery seedlings). Biometric parameters and mortality of the trees were recorded and the presence of AMF and EcMF in sampled trees was determined both microscopically and genetically. Mycorrhizal inoculation did not improve survival or growth of any tree species. Most AMF‐host and all EcMF‐host seedlings were highly precolonized already from the nursery. An abundant and diverse AMF community was also found in the field soil. The AMF inoculum taxa partially overlapped with AMF in the native soil and in the precolonized roots. After one season, the only two inoculum‐unique AMF taxa were detected in host species non‐precolonized or only partially precolonized from the nursery. The components of EcMF inoculum were not detected in any sampled tree. After the season, the ectomycorrhizal hosts maintained most of their original EcMF taxa gathered in nursery, some tree species were additionally colonized by EcMF probably originating from the soil. Our results show considerable self‐restoration potential of nature on the target site. Mycorrhizal inoculation thus did not bring any conclusive advantage to the planted trees and seems superfluous for reclamation practice on the fly ash deposit.     

Mycorrhizal-induced growth depression in plants

As plant mutualists, one would not expect arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) to cause growth depression of their host plants. The mechanism responsible for negative effects of AMF is still debated and so here we review the possible abiotic and biotic reasons for AMF-induced growth depression in plants: 1) The Phytocentric explanations, include: a) AMF and non-mycotrophic plants, b) different growth stages of plants. 2) The Mycocentric explanations, include: a) Low effective AMF species, b) The existence of vesicles, c) Genetic variability of AMF, and d) Geographic origin of AMF. 3) Unbalanced C-for-nutrient-trade, involving both partners and 4) Indirect effects of other organisms. We note deficiencies in previous studies and suggest improvements in experimental designs such as the use of realistic mixtures of AM fungal species, and growing plants in mixtures in field situations, rather than single pot studies, with and without fungi. Determining whether and how AM fungi cheat on their hosts will enable a better understanding of their roles in natural communities and their use as biofertilizers in agriculture.     

Nitrogen-fixing bacteria alleviates competition between arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi and Solidago canadensis for nutrients under nitrogen limitation

丛枝菌根真菌(AMF)能与大多数陆生植物的根系形成共生体, 有助于宿主植物吸收养分。但营养胁迫下, 根系微生物对AMF与宿主植物间关系的影响少见报道。该研究假设: 在营养极度匮乏(如氮胁迫)环境下, AMF与宿主植物可能产生营养竞争, 而固氮菌的介入能够缓解两者对营养的竞争关系。为了验证这一假设, 该文探究了加拿大一枝黄花(Solidago canadensis)生长受限的氮浓度, 并在氮受限条件下检验了AMF、加拿大一枝黄花及固氮菌三者间的关系。结果表明: 低氮处理明显抑制了加拿大一枝黄花的地上生物量和总生物量, 尤其以0.025 mmol·L^-1 N的氨态氮对加拿大一枝黄花的负影响更甚。在此氮浓度下, 单独添加AMF总体上都进一步抑制了加拿大一枝黄花的生长, 而固氮菌的添加在一定程度上提高了氮受限条件下AMF对宿主的根部侵染率及宿主植物生物量。这表明固氮菌能够缓和氮受限条件下AMF和加拿大一枝黄花间的营养竞争关系。研究结果加深了对外来植物在极度营养胁迫环境下与多种微生物互作的入侵机制的理解。     

固氮菌缓解氮限制环境中丛枝菌根真菌对加拿大一枝黄花的营养竞争

丛枝菌根真菌(AMF)能与大多数陆生植物的根系形成共生体, 有助于宿主植物吸收养分。但营养胁迫下, 根系微生物对AMF与宿主植物间关系的影响少见报道。该研究假设: 在营养极度匮乏(如氮胁迫)环境下, AMF与宿主植物可能产生营养竞争, 而固氮菌的介入能够缓解两者对营养的竞争关系。为了验证这一假设, 该文探究了加拿大一枝黄花(Solidago canadensis)生长受限的氮浓度, 并在氮受限条件下检验了AMF、加拿大一枝黄花及固氮菌三者间的关系。结果表明: 低氮处理明显抑制了加拿大一枝黄花的地上生物量和总生物量, 尤其以0.025 mmol·L^-1 N的氨态氮对加拿大一枝黄花的负影响更甚。在此氮浓度下, 单独添加AMF总体上都进一步抑制了加拿大一枝黄花的生长, 而固氮菌的添加在一定程度上提高了氮受限条件下AMF对宿主的根部侵染率及宿主植物生物量。这表明固氮菌能够缓和氮受限条件下AMF和加拿大一枝黄花间的营养竞争关系。研究结果加深了对外来植物在极度营养胁迫环境下与多种微生物互作的入侵机制的理解。     

Influence of arbuscular mycorrhizal colonization on whole‐plant respiration and thermal acclimation of tropical tree seedlings

Symbiotic arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) are ubiquitous in tropical forests. AMF play a role in the forest carbon cycle because they can increase nutrient acquisition and biomass of host plants, but also incur a carbon cost to the plant. Through their interactions with their host plants they have the potential to affect how plants respond to environmental perturbation such as global warming. Our objective was to experimentally determine how plant respiration rates and responses to warmer environment are affected by AMF colonization in seedlings of five tropical tree species at the whole plant level. We evaluated the interaction between AMF colonization and temperature on plant respiration against four possible outcomes; acclimation does or does not occur regardless of AMF, or AMF can increase or decrease respiratory acclimation. Seedlings were inoculated with AMF spores or sterilized inoculum and grown at ambient or elevated nighttime temperature. We measured whole plant and belowground respiration rates, as well as plant growth and biomass allocation. There was an overall increase in whole plant, root, and shoot respiration rate with AMF colonization, whereas temperature acclimation varied among species, showing support for three of the four possible responses. The influence of AMF colonization on growth and allocation also varied among plant species. This study shows that the effect of AMF colonization on acclimation differs among plant species. Given the cosmopolitan nature of AMF and the importance of plant acclimation for predicting climate feedbacks a better understanding of the patterns and mechanisms of acclimation is essential for improving predictions of how climate warming may influence vegetation feedbacks.     

The impact of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi on tomato plant resistance against Tuta absoluta (Meyrick) in greenhouse conditions

The symbiotic relationship between plants and arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) improves plant growth and increases its resistance to pests and diseases. Mycorrhizal fungi are among the specialized fungi associated with the rhizosphere and are completely dependent on plant organic carbon. In this research tomato, Solanum lycopersicum L. was used as the host plant to evaluate the interaction effects between inoculation of tomato plant with AMF and feeding of tomato leaf miner, Tuta absoluta (Meyrick). In addition, plant growth parameters and growth rate of insect were assessed. The mycorrhizal treatment included a mixture of four fungal species (Funneliformis mosseae, Rhizophagus intraradices, R. irregularis and Glomus iranicus). The results of the experiment showed that tomato plant roots were well colonized (66.29%) by AMF and there was a significant mutual relationship between the insects feeding on the plants and the fungi. Feeding by the insects on plants inoculated with the fungus increased percentage of colonization by AMF in plants infested with the insect as compared to the control plants. The results also indicated that growth parameters and phosphorus content of the plants inoculated with fungi significantly increased compared to the control group. Moreover, significantly lower growth rate and consumption index observed in the T. absoluta larvae were fed on the leaves of plants treated with AMF compared to leaves of plants not inoculated with AMF.     

A meta-analysis of arbuscular mycorrhizal effects on plants grown under salt stress

Salt stress limits crop yield and sustainable agriculture in most arid and semiarid regions of the world. Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) are considered bio-ameliorators of soil salinity tolerance in plants. In evaluating AMF as significant predictors of mycorrhizal ecology, precise quantifiable changes in plant biomass and nutrient uptake under salt stress are crucial factors. Therefore, the objective of the present study was to analyze the magnitude of the effects of AMF inoculation on growth and nutrient uptake of plants under salt stress through meta-analyses. For this, data were compared in the context of mycorrhizal host plant species, plant family and functional group, herbaceous vs. woody plants, annual vs. perennial plants, and the level of salinity across 43 studies. Results indicate that, under saline conditions, AMF inoculation significantly increased total, shoot, and root biomass as well as phosphorous (P), nitrogen (N), and potassium (K) uptake. Activities of the antioxidant enzymes superoxide dismutase, catalase, peroxidase, and ascorbate peroxidase also increased significantly in mycorrhizal compared to nonmycorrhizal plants growing under salt stress. In addition, sodium (Na) uptake decreased significantly in mycorrhizal plants, while changes in proline accumulation were not significant. Across most subsets of the data analysis, identities of AMF (Glomus fasciculatum) and host plants (Acacia nilotica, herbs, woody and perennial) were found to be essential in understanding plant responses to salinity stress. For the analyzed dataset, it is concluded that under salt stress, mycorrhizal plants have extensive root traits and mycorrhizal morphological traits which help the uptake of more P and K, together with the enhanced production of antioxidant enzymes resulting in salt stress alleviation and increased plant biomass.     

Comparing symbiotic performance and physiological responses of two soybean cultivars to arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi under salt stress

The presented experiments evaluated the symbiotic performance of soybean genotypes with contrasting salt stress tolerance to arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) inoculation. In addition, the physiological stress tolerance mechanisms in plants derived from mutualistic interactions between AMF and the host plants were evaluated. Plant growth, nodulation, nitrogenase activity and levels of endogenous growth hormones, such as indole acetic acid and indole butyric acid, of salt-tolerant and salt-sensitive soybean genotypes significantly decreased at 200 mM NaCl. The inoculation of soybean with AMF improved the symbiotic performance of both soybean genotypes by improving nodule formation, leghemoglobin content, nitrogenase activity and auxin synthesis. AMF colonization also protected soybean genotypes from salt-induced membrane damage and reduced the production of hydrogen peroxide, subsequently reducing the production of TBARS and reducing lipid peroxidation. In conclusion, the results of the present investigation indicate that AMF improve the symbiotic performance of soybean genotypes regardless of their salt stress tolerance ability by mitigating the negative effect of salt stress and stimulating endogenous level of auxins that contribute to an improved root system and nutrient acquisition under salt stress.     

Interrelated effects of mycorrhiza and free‐living nitrogen fixers cascade up to aboveground herbivores

Aboveground plant performance is strongly influenced by belowground microorganisms, some of which are pathogenic and have negative effects, while others, such as nitrogen‐fixing bacteria and arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi, usually have positive effects. Recent research revealed that belowground interactions between plants and functionally distinct groups of microorganisms cascade up to aboveground plant associates such as herbivores and their natural enemies. However, while functionally distinct belowground microorganisms commonly co‐occur in the rhizosphere, their combined effects, and relative contributions, respectively, on performance of aboveground plant‐associated organisms are virtually unexplored. Here, we scrutinized and disentangled the effects of free‐living nitrogen‐fixing (diazotrophic) bacteria Azotobacter chroococcum (DB) and arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi Glomus mosseae (AMF) on host plant choice and reproduction of the herbivorous two‐spotted spider mite Tetranychus urticae on common bean plants Phaseolus vulgaris. Additionally, we assessed plant growth, and AMF and DB occurrence and density as affected by each other. Both AMF alone and DB alone increased spider mite reproduction to similar levels, as compared to the control, and exerted additive effects under co‐occurrence. These effects were similarly apparent in host plant choice, that is, the mites preferred leaves from plants with both AMF and DB to plants with AMF or DB to plants grown without AMF and DB. DB, which also act as AMF helper bacteria, enhanced root colonization by AMF, whereas AMF did not affect DB abundance. AMF but not DB increased growth of reproductive plant tissue and seed production, respectively. Both AMF and DB increased the biomass of vegetative aboveground plant tissue. Our study breaks new ground in multitrophic belowground–aboveground research by providing first insights into the fitness implications of plant‐mediated interactions between interrelated belowground fungi–bacteria and aboveground herbivores.     

Consequences of simultaneous interactions of fungal endophytes and arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi with a shared host grass

Plants simultaneously associate with multiple microbial symbionts throughout their lifetimes. To address the question of whether the effects of simultaneous symbionts are contingent on the specific identities, we conducted a greenhouse experiment manipulating the presence and identities of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) and fungal endophytes on the shared host grass Elymus hystrix. Each plant host was inoculated with one of two AMF species having varying effects on host growth, or a sterile soil control. Further, we used naturally occurring endophyte‐infected (E+) and uninfected (E–) individuals from two populations of the endophyte Epichloë elymi that varied in their interaction with E. hystrix. We then measured responses of plants, AMF, and fungal endophytes. Overall, we found that the combined effects of AMF and fungal endophytes on plant growth were additive, reflecting the mutualistic quality of each symbiont independently interacting with host plants. However, fungal endophyte infection differentially altered hyphal colonization of the two AMF species and the identity of the coinfecting AMF species affected fungal endophyte fitness traits. The results of this study demonstrate that the outcome of interspecific symbiotic interactions varies with partner identity such that the effects of simultaneous symbioses can not be generalized.     

Current developments in arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi research and its role in salinity stress alleviation: a biotechnological perspective

Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) form widespread symbiotic associations with 80% of known land plants. They play a major role in plant nutrition, growth, water absorption, nutrient cycling and protection from pathogens, and as a result, contribute to ecosystem processes. Salinity stress conditions undoubtedly limit plant productivity and, therefore, the role of AMF as a biological tool for improving plant salt stress tolerance, is gaining economic importance worldwide. However, this approach requires a better understanding of how plants and AMF intimately interact with each other in saline environments and how this interaction leads to physiological changes in plants. This knowledge is important to develop sustainable strategies for successful utilization of AMF to improve plant health under a variety of stress conditions. Recent advances in the field of molecular biology, “omics” technology and advanced microscopy can provide new insight about these mechanisms of interaction between AMF and plants, as well as other microbes. This review mainly discusses the effect of salinity on AMF and plants, and role of AMF in alleviation of salinity stress including insight on methods for AMF identification. The focus remains on latest advancements in mycorrhizal research that can potentially offer an integrative understanding of the role of AMF in salinity tolerance and sustainable crop production.     

AM真菌物种多样性:生态功能、影响因素及维持机制

AM真菌物种多样性是土壤生态系统生物多样性的重要组分之一。尽管对AM真菌多样性已有多年研究,但是,已有研究绝大多数仅停留在对AM真菌群落种属解析层面上,对AM真菌物种多样性生态功能及维持机制方面的认识较浅。从生态功能、影响因素及维持机制3个方面系统地综述了近年来AM真菌多样性领域的研究进展。认为AM真菌多样性对植物群落生产力的调控机制及结合理论与实践解析AM真菌多样性维持机制是该领域未来的重点研究方向。     

The potential role of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi in protecting endangered plants and habitats

Ecosystems worldwide are threatened with the extinction of plants and, at the same time, invasion by new species. Plant invasiveness and loss of species can be caused by similar but opposing pressures on the community structures. Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) can have multiple positive effects on plant growth, productivity, health, and stress relief. Many endangered species live in symbiosis with AMF. However, the list of the International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources (IUCN Red List of Threatened Species) indicates that the mycorrhizal status of most of the threatened species has not been assessed. Rare plants often occur in specialized and also endangered habitats and might utilize specialized or unique AMF. The specificity of any endangered plant to its AMF population has not been investigated. Because most of the current AMF isolates that are available colonize a broad range of plant species, selected inocula could be used to promote growth of endangered plants before the proper and more effective indigenous AMF are characterized. Application of AMF in field sites to protect endangered plants is hardly feasible due to the complexity of plant community structures and the large amount of fungal inocula needed. Endangered plants could, however, be grown as greenhouse cultures together with appropriate fungi, and, at the relevant developmental stage, they could be re-planted into native sites to prevent extinction and to preserve plant community ecology.     

Relatedness among arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi drives plant growth and intraspecific fungal coexistence

Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) form symbioses with most plant species. They are ecologically important determinants of plant growth and diversity. Considerable genetic variation occurs in AMF populations. Thus, plants are exposed to AMF of varying relatedness to each other. Very little is known about either the effects of coexisting AMF on plant growth or which factors influence intraspecific AMF coexistence within roots. No studies have addressed whether the genetics of coexisting AMF, and more specifically their relatedness, influences plant growth and AMF coexistence. Relatedness is expected to influence coexistence between individuals, and it has been suggested that decreasing ability of symbionts to coexist can have negative effects on the growth of the host. We tested the effect of a gradient of AMF genetic relatedness on the growth of two plant species. Increasing relatedness between AMFs lead to markedly greater plant growth (27% biomass increase with closely related compared to distantly related AMF). In one plant species, closely related AMF coexisted in fairly equal proportions but decreasing relatedness lead to a very strong disequilibrium between AMF in roots, indicating much stronger competition. Given the strength of the effects with such a shallow relatedness gradient and the fact that in the field plants are exposed to a steeper gradient, we consider that AMF relatedness can have a strong role in plant growth and the ability of AMF to coexist. We conclude that AMF relatedness is a driver of plant growth and that relatedness is also a strong driver of intraspecific coexistence of these ecologically important symbionts.     

Arbuscular mycorrhiza and salt tolerance of plants

Although salt has detrimental effects on spore germination of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF), their hyphal growth and the colonization rate of plants under laboratory conditions, many salt tolerant plants (the halophytes) are strongly colonized by AMF in their natural habitats. AMF spores in several saline soils consist of to up to 80 % of one single species, Glomus geosporum. In contrast, roots of halophytes are mostly colonized by fungi of the Glomus intraradices group, of which many are as yet uncultured. Salt stress is intimately related to drought in saline habitats. Molecular analyses of genes expressed upon salt stress indicate that aquaporins which facilitate the transfer of water across membranes play a major role in alleviating salt stress in plants. In AMF, genes serving to scavenge reactive oxygen species (ROS) are expressed upon exposure to salt, indicating that fungi have to develop an enhanced oxidative defence. The development of AMF inocula that confer sustained salt tolerance to plants would have enormous practical applications. Many positive reports on salt stress alleviation by AMF exist. However, the state of the art has not yet reached field applications. In contrast to other recent reviews, the present article focuses on ecological aspects of the symbiosis between AMF and halophytes. It also emphasizes the complexity of the interactions between salt and drought stress as well as the role of AMF in alleviating salt stress.     

Contribution of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) to the adaptations exhibited by the deciduous shrub Anthyllis cytisoides L. under water deficit

Anthyllis cytisoides L. is highly colonized by arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) and behaves as a drought-avoider species in the field. Our objectives were: (1) to study the response of A. cytisoides when exposed to moderate (acclimation) or severe (peak) drought and subsequent rewatering under nursery conditions; and (2) to verify if AMF improved the adaptation of A. cytisoides to stress. The soil compactness in drought-acclimated treatments increased four times compared with that of well-watered controls, which could reinforce the effects of water deficit on plant physiology. Photosynthetic rates decreased by around 50% and 70% and leaf conductance decreased by 40% and 50% in drought-acclimated non-mycorrhizal and mycorrhizal plants, respectively. Peak drought limited plant growth, accelerated leaf senescence and induced the conversion of starch into soluble sugars in the leaves of stressed plants. The accumulation of sugars could contribute to a decrease in water potential in order to achieve the required tension to let water move from soil to shoot. Mycorrhizal plants showed a two-fold higher chlorotic leaf biomass than non-mycorrhizal plants under severe drought. Moreover, mycorrhizal A. cytisoides showed enhanced epicuticular waxes on the surfaces of the remaining green leaves. Increased leaf senescence, together with wax deposition, could reduce whole plant transpiration, thus allowing mycorrhizal plants to maintain a higher leaf relative water content (50%) than non-mycorrhizal plants (35%). After drought recovery, leaf abscission in stressed mycorrhizal plants was 10 times greater than that in non-mycorrhizal plants. The results suggest that AMF conferred greater responsiveness of A. cytisoides to drought. Enhanced wax deposition and leaf senescence could be an ecological adaptation to cope with severe water deficit.     

来源对丛枝菌根真菌功能的影响

丛枝菌根真菌(arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi,AMF)是一种具有重要生态功能的根际微生物。影响AMF功能的因素主要包括AMF、宿主,以及其它生物与非生物环境。近年来,大量研究表明不同来源的AMF功能存在显著差异。结合该领域的最新研究成果,从基因变异和表型可塑性两方面分析了来源影响AMF功能的原因和维持机制,并对其生态学意义进行了探讨。认为应从群落水平上研究不同来源的AMF在生态系统中的功能,重视宿主的作用,保持研究对象的对等性,并区分AMF群落结构和来源对功能的不同影响。对未来的研究重点和方向进行了讨论和展望,试图为更加清晰、全面地认识AMF在生态系统中的功能,以及AMF适应特定土壤环境与宿主的机制提供参考。