Overlapping expression patterns and differential transcript levels of phosphate transporter genes in arbuscular mycorrhizal,P<Subscript>i</Subscript>-fertilised and phytohormone-treated <Emphasis Type="Italic">Medicago truncatula</Emphasis> roots

A microarray carrying 5,648 probes of Medicago truncatula root-expressed genes was screened in order to identify those that are specifically regulated by the arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungus Gigaspora rosea, by P_i fertilisation or by the phytohormones abscisic acid and jasmonic acid. Amongst the identified genes, 21% showed a common induction and 31% a common repression between roots fertilised with P_i or inoculated with the AM fungus G. rosea, while there was no obvious overlap in the expression patterns between mycorrhizal and phytohormone-treated roots. Expression patterns were further studied by comparing the results with published data obtained from roots colonised by the AM fungi Glomus mosseae and Glomus intraradices, but only very few genes were identified as being commonly regulated by all three AM fungi. Analysis of P_i concentrations in plants colonised by either of the three AM fungi revealed that this could be due to the higher P_i levels in plants inoculated by G. rosea compared with the other two fungi, explaining that numerous genes are commonly regulated by the interaction with G. rosea and by phosphate. Differential gene expression in roots inoculated with the three AM fungi was further studied by expression analyses of six genes from the phosphate transporter gene family in M. truncatula. While MtPT4 was induced by all three fungi, the other five genes showed different degrees of repression mirroring the functional differences in phosphate nutrition by G. rosea, G. mosseae and G. intraradices. Electronic supplementary material  The online version of this article (doi:) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.     

The differential behavior of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi in interaction with Astragalus sinicus L. under salt stress

Three arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi (Glomus mosseae, Glomus claroideum, and Glomus intraradices) were compared for their root colonizing ability and activity in the root of Astragalus sinicus L. under salt-stressed soil conditions. Mycorrhizal formation, activity of fungal succinate dehydrogenase, and alkaline phosphatase, as well as plant biomass, were evaluated after 7 weeks of plant growth. Increasing the concentration of NaCl in soil generally decreased the dry weight of shoots and roots. Inoculation with AM fungi significantly alleviated inhibitory effect of salt stress. G. intraradices was the most efficient AM fungus compared with the other two fungi in terms of root colonization and enzyme activity. Nested PCR revealed that in root system of plants inoculated with a mix of the three AM fungi and grown under salt stress, the majority of mycorrhizal root fragments were colonized by one or two AM fungi, and some roots were colonized by all the three. Compared to inoculation alone, the frequency of G. mosseae in roots increased in the presence of the other two fungal species and highest level of NaCl, suggesting a synergistic interaction between these fungi under salt stress.     

Heavy metals in sewage sludges contribute to their adverse effects on the arbuscular mycorrhizal fungus<Emphasis Type="Italic">Glomus mosseae</Emphasis>

Applying sewage sludges to agricultural land is a widespread practice because of the sludges’ agronomic value as a source of plant nutrients and organic matter. Nevertheless, sludges often contain micropollutants that can constitute a menace for health and the environment. Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi are sensitive to sewage sludges that have been spiked, or not, with metallic trace elements (MTE). Here we have investigated if MTE in sewage sludges could be responsible for effects on mycorrhizal development betweenGlomus mosseae andMedicago truncatula. The impact of a dehydrated or composted urban sewage sludge spiked or not with MTE, was tested on spore germination and root colonization byG. mosseae. The sewage sludges depressed both the presymbiotic andin planta stages of development of the mycorrhizal fungus. This negative effect was more related to the metallic pollutant contents of the sludges than to the presence of antagonistic microorganisms or phosphorus.     

Effect of Arbuscular Mycorrhizae and Induced Drought Stress on Antioxidant Enzyme and Nitrate Reductase Activities in Juniperus oxycedrus L. Grown in a Composted Sewage Sludge-amended Semi-arid Soil

We studied the influence of inoculation with a mixture of three exotic arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi, Glomus intraradices Schenck & Smith, Glomus deserticola Trappe, Bloss. & Menge and Glomus mosseae (Nicol & Gerd.) Gerd. & Trappe, and the addition of composted sewage sludge (SS) on the activities of the antioxidant enzymes superoxide dismutase (SOD, EC 1.15.1.1) and total peroxidase (POX) and of shoot and root nitrate reductase (NR, EC 1.6.6.1) in Juniperus oxycedrus L. seedlings, an evergreen shrub, grown in a non-sterile soil under well-watered and drought-stress conditions. Both the inoculation with exotic AM fungi and the addition of composted SS stimulated significantly growth and the N and P contents in shoot tissues of J. oxycedrus with respect to the plants neither inoculated nor treated with composted SS that were either well-watered or droughted. Under drought-stress conditions, only inoculation with exotic AM fungi increased shoot and root NR activity (about 188% and 38%, respectively, with respect to the plants neither inoculated nor treated with composted SS). Drought increased the POX and SOD activities in both shoots of J. oxycedrus seedlings inoculated with exotic AM fungi and grown with composted SS, but the increase was less than in the plants neither inoculated nor treated with SS. Both the plants inoculated with exotic AM fungi and the plants grown with composted SS developed additional mechanisms to avoid oxidative damage produced under water-shortage conditions.     

Effects of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi on zinnia and the different colonization between Gigaspora and Glomus

Zinnia (Zinnia elegans) was inoculated with four arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) i.e. Gigaspora margarita, Gigaspora rosea, Glomus intraradices, and Glomus mosseae, either singly or mixture of two species of Gigaspora and Glomus. Results indicated that Glomus significantly enhanced the leaf size and the shoot biomass. G. mosseae was more effective than G. intraradices. Only G. mosseae increased number and size of flowers. Mixed inoculations were not much effective in the growth-promotion than the corresponding singly inoculation with Glomus. Comparison of colonization percent demonstrated that the highest colonization by G. mosseae, and followed by G. intraradices and Gigaspora species. In semi-quantitative PCR amplifications, Glomus was dominant in the roots. Our results suggest that G. mosseae is good for inoculation to zinnia and the interaction between different AMF species should be given full consideration in the application.     

Effects of preplant inoculation of apple (Malus domestica Borkh.) with arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi on population growth of the root-lesion nematode,Pratylenchus penetrans

Six species of arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi (Glomus aggregatum, G. clarum, G. etunicatum, G. intraradices, G. mosseae and G. versiforme) were evaluated, in three greenhouse experiments, for their effects on reproduction of the root-lesion nematode, Pratylenchus penetrans, and growth of Ottawa 3 apple rootstock. Glomus mosseae increased total dry weights of nematode-inoculated and non-inoculated rootstock in all three greenhouse experiments, and G. intraradices increased dry weights in two of three greenhouse experiments. Plants inoculated with G. mosseae generally supported fewer P. penetrans per gram of root than plants inoculated with other AM fungi, but did not differ significantly from the controls in any greenhouse experiment. Colonization of roots by AM fungi was reduced by P. penetrans at initial inoculum densities greater than 250 nematodes/L soil. In field trials, preplant inoculation with either G. intraradices or G. mosseae increased rootstock growth and leaf concentrations of P, Mg, Zn and Cu in fumigated plots but not in non-fumigated plots, indicating that colonization by native AM fungi in non-fumigated plots may have been sufficient for adequate nutrient acquisition. The abundance of vesicles and arbuscules was greater in roots of plants inoculated with AM fungi before planting than in roots of non-inoculated plants, in both fumigated and non-fumigated plots. P. penetrans per gram of root and per 50 ml soil were significantly lower for G. mosseae- inoculated plants than for non-inoculated plants in fumigated soil but not in non-fumigated soil.     

Role of the modification in root exudation induced by arbuscular mycorrhizal colonization on the intraradical growth of Phytophthora nicotianae in tomato

We studied the role of modification in root exudation induced by colonization with Glomus intraradices and Glomus mosseae in the growth of Phytophthora nicotianae in tomato roots. Plants were grown in a compartmentalized plant growth system and were either inoculated with the AM fungi or received exudates from mycorrhizal plants, with the corresponding controls. Three weeks after planting, the plants were inoculated or not with P. nicotianae growing from an adjacent compartment. At harvest, P. nicotianae biomass was significantly reduced in roots colonized with G. intraradices or G. mosseae in comparison to non-colonized roots. Conversely, pathogen biomass was similar in non-colonized roots supplied with exudates collected from mycorrhizal or non-mycorrhizal roots, or with water. We cannot rule out that a mycorrhiza-mediated modification in root exudation may take place, but our results did not support that a change in pathogen chemotactic responses to host root exudates may be involved in the inhibition of P. nicotianae.     

Identification of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi in soils and roots of plants colonizing zinc wastes in southern Poland

 Analysis of the community of arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi in roots of Fragaria vesca growing in a heavy metal contaminated site was carried out on a Zn waste site near Chrzanow (southern Poland). The waste substratum was characterized by high contents of Pb, Zn, Cd, Cu and As, and by low levels of N, P and organic matter. Spores of Glomales were isolated by wet sieving and DNA was isolated from individual spores. Nested polymerase chain reaction (PCR) with taxon-specific primers was used to identify the species Glomus mosseae, Glomus intraradices and Glomus claroideum. Spores of other fungi were morphologically characterized and new taxon-discriminating molecular probes were developed for two of them (Glomus sp. HM-CL4 and HM-CL5) based on variations in the large ribosomal subunit (25S rDNA). High sequence similarities were found between Glomus sp. HM-CL4 and Glomus gerdemanii, and between Glomus sp. HM-CL5 and Glomus occultum. The designed primers were used to characterize the population of AM fungi colonizing the roots of F. vesca collected from the Zn waste site. The analysis, carried out on roots stained with trypan blue, showed that the most effective colonizer was closely related to G. gerdemannii. G. claroideum and the G. occultum-like fungus were slightly less common whilst frequencies of G. intraradices and G. mosseae in roots were much lower. The analysis of mycorrhiza stained with rhodizoniate to localize heavy metal accumulation showed that the stain does not influence the PCR reaction. Seventy percent of the root samples containing positively stained fungal hyphae were found to be colonized by G. mosseae. The data obtained demonstrate the usefulness of nested PCR for studies carried out in polluted areas. It will enable selection of AM fungi which are able to colonize plant roots under heavy metal stress conditions, as well as the identification of fungi showing high in situ accumulation of potentially toxic elements. Accepted: 7 July 2000     

Flavonoids exclusively present in mycorrhizal roots of white clover exhibit a different effect on arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi than flavonoids exclusively present in non-mycorrhizal roots of white clover

Abstract

The flavonoids 5,6,7,8,9-hydroxy chalcone, 3,7-hydroxy-4′methoxy flavone, 5,6,7,8-hydroxy-4′-methoxy flavone and 3,5,6,7,4′-hydroxy flavone can be detected only in non-mycorrhizal roots of white clover, but not in mycorrhizal roots, whereas the flavonoids acacetin, quercetin and rhamnetin are only present in mycorrhizal roots. We tested the effect of several concentrations of these compounds on spore germination, hyphal growth, hyphal branching, formation of clusters of auxiliary cells and of secondary spores of the arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi Gigaspora rosea, Gigaspora margarita, Glomus mosseae and Glomus intraradices. Our results indicate that depending on the flavonoid, the tested compounds are involved at different stages in the regulation of mycorrhization. This hypothesis is strengthened by their differing effect on several AM fungal growth parameters. Furthermore, our study provides more data on the AM fungus genus/species specificity of flavonoids.     

Identification of in planta-expressed arbuscular mycorrhizal fungal proteins upon comparison of the root proteomes of Medicago truncatula colonised with two Glomus species

In the absence of sequenced genomes for arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi, their obligatory biotrophy makes their intra-radical biology especially recalcitrant to functional analyses. Because tandem mass spectrometry-based proteomics enables fungal gene product identifications in phyla lacking genomic information, we have compared as a way to enlarge the coverage of in planta expressed-mycorrhiza-related proteins, the root proteome responses of Medicago truncatula upon colonisation with two AM fungi, Glomus mosseae and G. intraradices, using two-dimensional electrophoresis. In contrast to phosphate fertilization, mycorrhization led to specific changes in the abundance of 99 spots, including 42 overlapping modifications between G. mosseae- and G. intraradices-colonised roots. The 32 confident identifications that could be retrieved following tandem mass spectrometry encompassed 21 fungal proteins whose homology-inferred functions were found to complement the working models so far proposed for the intra-radical functioning of AM fungi with regard to carbon utilization, energy generation, redox homeostasis and protein turnover-related processes.     

Field microplot performance of the peach-almond hybrid GF-677 after inoculation with arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi in a replant soil infested with root-knot nematodes

The effects of arbuscular mycorrhizae (AM) on the development and nutrition of the peach almond hybrid GF-677 rootstock in a replant soil heavily infested with Meloidogyne javanica were evaluated in field microplot conditions for two growing seasons. There was a significant beneficial effect of mycorrhizal inoculation on plant growth and nutrition in previously pasteurized replant soil. In natural replant soil, early inoculation with a mixed AM inoculum of Glomus intraradices, Glomus mosseae and Glomus etunicatum did not affect growth parameters. Whilst inoculation with these AM fungi led to suppression of root-knot nematode reproduction, natural mycorrhizal colonization of the replant soil with native AM fungi did not. Accepted: 6 December 2000     

Interactions between<Emphasis Type="Italic"> Trichoderma pseudokoningii</Emphasis> strains and the arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi<Emphasis Type="Italic"> Glomus mosseae</Emphasis> and<Emphasis Type="Italic"> Gigaspora rosea</Emphasis>

The interaction between Trichoderma pseudokoningii (Rifai) 511, 2212, 741A, 741B and 453 and the arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi Glomus mosseae (Nicol. & Gerd.) Gerdemann & Trappe BEG12 and Gigaspora rosea Nicolson & Schenck BEG9 were studied in vitro and in greenhouse experiments. All T. pseudokoningii strains inhibited the germination of G. mosseae and Gi. rosea except the strain 453, which did not affect the germination of Gi. rosea. Soluble exudates and volatile substances produced by all T. pseudokoningii strains inhibited the spore germination of G. mosseae. The germination of Gi. rosea spores was inhibited by the soluble exudates produced by T. pseudokoningii 2212 and 511, whereas T. pseudokoningii 714A and 714B inhibited the germination of Gi. rosea spores by the production of volatile substances. The strains of T. pseudokoningii did not affect dry matter and percentage of root length colonization of soybean inoculated with G. mosseae, except T. pseudokoningii 2212, which inhibited both parameters. However, all T. pseudokoningii strains decreased the shoot dry matter and the percentage of AM root length colonization of soybean inoculated with Gi. rosea. The saprotrophic fungi tested seem to affect AM colonization of root by effects on the presymbiotic phase of the AM fungi. No influence of AM fungi on the number of CFUs of T. pseudokoningii was found. The effect of saprotrophic fungi on AM fungal development and function varied with the strain of the saprotrophic species tested.     

Studies on the diversity of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi and the efficacy of two native isolates in a highly alkaline anthropogenic sediment

A field survey of the arbuscular mycorrhizal status of herbaceous plant species was conducted in a highly alkaline anthropogenic sediment resulting from the disposal of waste from an acetylene and polyvinyl chloride factory. Most plant species found at the site were mycorrhizal and the dominant mycotrophic plant species was Conyza bilbaoana. Fungal species richness was assessed by identification of spores extracted from the sediment and from continuously propagated trap pot cultures. All of the six species of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) found were from the genus Glomus. Glomus intraradices and G. mosseae were found in field-collected sediment samples and also occurred most frequently in trap cultures. To test the symbiotic effectiveness of these two fungi, seedlings of C. bilbaoana were inoculated with either native G. intraradices BEG163 or G. mosseae BEG198 and non-native G. intraradices BEG75 or G. mosseae BEG25 isolates in sterile and non-sterile sediment collected from the study site. All four isolates were able to colonise C. bilbaoana. However, AMF native to the target sediments were generally more effective than the non-native fungi in promoting plant establishment and growth under highly alkaline conditions. The non-native G. intraradices was, however, more effective than the non-native G. mosseae. The results of this study suggest the use of adapted AMF as inoculants for phytorestoration of alkaline anthropogenic-stressed sediments.     

接种菌根真菌对青冈栎幼苗耐旱性的影响

利用丛枝菌根真菌摩西球囊霉(Glomus mosseae)、根内球囊霉(Glomus intraradices)和外生菌根真菌彩色豆马勃(Pisolithus tinctorius)对石漠化地区造林树种青冈栎(Cyclobalanopsis glauca)幼苗进行接种试验。在大棚盆栽条件下模拟土壤干旱胁迫,研究菌根真菌对青冈栎生长和耐旱性的影响。结果表明:在土壤干旱条件下,接种菌根处理植株生物量显著高于未接种处理(P0.05),菌根依赖性随土壤水分含量降低而升高;未接种处理植株叶绿素含量在土壤干旱条件下显著降低(P0.05),除接种Pisolithus tinctorius处理外,其它接种处理叶绿素含量无显著变化。土壤干旱使植株体内脯氨酸和可溶性糖含量上升,在中度干旱条件下,接种处理可溶性糖含量均显著高于对照处理,接种Glomus intraradices、Pisolithus tinctorius处理脯氨酸含量显著低于对照(P0.05);在重度干旱条件下,接种Glomus mosseae和Glomus intraradices处理可溶性糖含量显著高于对照处理(P0.05),而相应的脯氨酸含量显著低于对照处理。当土壤水分含量在田间持水量55%—65%时,接种处理植株SOD、POD和CAT酶活性显著高于未接种处理(P0.05),在土壤水分含量降至35%—45%时,Glomus mosseae和Glomus intraradices处理SOD酶活性显著高于对照,并且所有接种处理POD酶活性均显著高于对照。此外,在水分干旱条件下,植株全磷和全钾含量也显著高于未接种处理(P0.05)。研究表明,丛枝菌根真菌和外生菌根真菌均能够侵染青冈栎幼苗根系;在干旱胁迫条件下,接种菌根真菌能够提高青冈栎植株生物量、抗氧化酶活性、增加植株可溶性糖含量和促进植株养分吸收,提高植株耐旱性,从而使青冈栎幼苗在岩溶干旱环境下更容易存活。     

Nested multiplex PCR—A feasible technique to study partial community of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi in field-growing plant root

Plant can be infected by different arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi, but little is known about the interaction between them within root tissues mainly because different species cannot be distinguished on the basis of fungal structure. Accurate species identification of Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) colonized in plant roots is the comerstone of mycorrhizal study, yet this fundamental step is impossible through its morphological character alone. For accurate, rapid and inexpensive detection of partial mycorrhizal fungal community in plant roots, a nested multiplex polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was developed in this study. Five discriminating primers designed based on the variable region of the 5′ end of the large ribosomal subunit were used in the experiment for testing their specificity and the sensitivity in nested PCR by using spores from Glomus mosseae (BEG12), Glomus intraradices (BEG141), Scutellospora castaneae (BEG1) and two unidentified Glomus sp. HAUO3 and HAUO4. The feasibility assay of nested multiplex PCR was conducted by use of spore mixture, Astragalus sinicum roots co-inoculated with 4 species of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi from pot cultures and 15 different field-growing plant roots respectively after analyses of the compatibility of primers. The result indicated that the sensitivity was in the same range as that of the corresponding single PCR reaction. Overall accuracy was 95%. The efficiency and sensitivity of this multiplex PCR procedure provided a rapid and easy way to simultaneously detect several of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungal species in a same plant root system.     

Effects of single and mixed inoculation with two arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi in two different levels of phosphorus supply on β-carotene concentrations in sweet potato (Ipomoea batatas L.) tubers

Aims

This study aimed to determine the effect of arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi and phosphorus (P) supply levels on β-carotene concentrations in sweet potato (Ipomoea batatas L.) tubers.

Methods

Two commercial AM fungal isolates of Glomus intraradices (IFP Glintra) and Glomus mosseae (IFP Glm) which differ in their life cycles were used. Sweet potato plants were grown in a horizontal split-root system that consisted of two root compartments. A root-free fungal compartment that allowed the quantification of mycelial development was inserted into each root compartment. The two root compartments were inoculated either with the same or with different AM isolates, or remained free of mycorrhizal propagules. Each fungal treatment was carried out in two P supply levels.

Results

In the low P supply level, mycorrhizal colonization significantly increased β-carotene concentrations in sweet potato tubers compared with the non-mycorrhizal plants. Glomus intraradices appeared to be more efficient in increasing β-carotene concentrations than G. mosseae. Dual inoculation of the root system with the two mycorrhizal fungi did not result in a higher increase in tuber β-carotene concentrations than inoculation with the single isolates. Improved P nutrition led to higher plant tuber biomass but was not associated with increased β-carotene concentrations.

Conclusions

The results indicate a remarkable potential of mycorrhizal fungi to improve β-carotene concentrations in sweet potato tubers in low P fertilized soils. These results also suggest that β-carotene metabolism in sweet potato tubers might be specifically activated by root mycorrhizal colonization.     

Detection of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi within colonised roots of the Gramineae family members by nested-polymerase chain reaction (PCR)

In this study, it is aimed to asses the association of arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi within colonised rhizosphere of Gramineae family members through a survey by using nested- polymerase chain reaction method in Van province (Turkey). From 24 agro-ecological fields, a total of 82 samples belonging to Gramineae family were tested by molecular methods. The presence of Glomus intraradices and Glomus mosseae was ascertained in 10 plants belonging to eight different species by using fungus specific primers. Root colonisation ranged from 6 to 37% within rhizosphere of Gramineae family members and the average root colonisation by AM fungi was 22%.     

Effect of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi inoculation on root traits and root volatile organic compound emissions of Sorghum bicolor

Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) emitted by plant roots have important functions that can influence the rhizospheric environment. The aim of this study was to examine the effects of arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi on the profile of root VOCs. Sorghum (Sorghum bicolor) plants were grown in pots inoculated with either Glomus mosseae or Glomus intraradices, which formed mycorrhiza with the roots. Control plants were grown in pots inoculated with sterile inoculum and did not form mycorrhiza. Forty-four VOCs were determined using headspace solid-phase microextraction (HS-SPME) and gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC-MS). Alkanes were the most abundant type of VOCs emitted by both mycorrhizal and non-mycorrhizal plants. Both the quantity and type of volatiles were dramatically altered by the presence of AM fungi, and these changes had species specificity. Compared with non-mycorrhizal plants, mycorrhizal plants emitted more alcohols, alkenes, ethers and acids but fewer linear-alkanes. The AM fungi also influenced the morphological traits of the host roots. The total root length and specific root length of mycorrhizal plants were significantly greater than those of non-mycorrhizal plants; however, both the incidence and length of root-hair were dramatically decreased. Our findings confirm that AM fungi can alter the profile of VOCs emitted by roots as well as the root morphology of sorghum plants, indicating that AM fungi have the potential to help plants adapt to and alter soil environments.     

Nested multiplex PCR——A feasible technique to study partial community of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi in field-growing plant root

Plant can be infected by different arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi, but little is known about the interaction between them within root tissues mainly because different species cannot be distinguished on the basis of fungal structure. Accurate species identification of Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) colonized in plant roots is the comerstone of mycorrhizal study, yet this fundamental step is impossible through its morphological character alone. For accurate, rapid and inexpensive detection of partial mycorrhizal fungal community in plant roots, a nested multiplex polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was developed in this study. Five discriminating primers designed based on the variable region of the 5′ end of the large ribosomal subunit were used in the experiment for testing their specificity and the sensitivity in nested PCR by using spores from Glomus mosseae (BEG12), Glomus intraradices (BEG141), Scutellospora castaneae (BEG1) and two unidentified Glomus sp. HAUO3 and HAUO4. The feasibility assay of nested multiplex PCR was conducted by use of spore mixture, Astragalus sinicum roots co-inoculated with 4 species of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi from pot cultures and 15 different field-growing plant roots respectively after analyses of the compatibility of primers. The result indicated that the sensitivity was in the same range as that of the corresponding single PCR reaction. Overall accuracy was 95%. The efficiency and sensitivity of this multiplex PCR procedure provided a rapid and easy way to simultaneously detect several of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungal species in a same plant root system.     

Different growth response of five co-existing stoloniferous plant species to inoculation with native arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi

Five species of stoloniferous plants originating from the same field site (Galeobdolon montanum, Glechoma hederacea, Potentilla anserina, Ranunculus repens and Trifolium repens) were studied with respect to their interaction with arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi. More specifically, the question was addressed whether mycorrhizal growth response of host plant species could be related to their vegetative mobility. The roots of all the species examined were colonised with AM fungi in the field, with the percentage of colonisation varying among species from approximately 40% to 90%. In a subsequent pot experiment, plants of all the species were either left non-inoculated or were inoculated with a mixture of three native AM fungi isolated from the site of plant origin (Glomus mosseae, G. intraradices and G. microaggregatum). AM fungi increased phosphorus uptake in all the plant species; however, plant growth response to inoculation varied widely from negative to positive. In addition to the biomass response, AM inoculation led to a change in clonal growth traits such as stolon number and length or ramet number in some species. Possible causes of the observed differences in mycorrhizal growth response of various stoloniferous plants are discussed.