Clostridia spore formation during aerobic deterioration of maize and sorghum silages as influenced by Lactobacillus buchneri and Lactobacillus plantarum inoculants

Aims:  The effect of the inoculation of maize and sorghum silages with Lactobacillus plantarum (LP) and Lactobacillus buchneri (LB) on the clostridia spore formation during aerobic deterioration has been studied.
Methods and results:  The crops were ensiled in 30 l jars, without a lactic acid bacteria inoculant (C), and with an LP or LB inocula (theoretical rate of 1 × 10⁶). After 90 days of conservation, the silages were analysed for the chemical and microbiological characteristics and subjected to an aerobic stability test, during which pH, temperature, nitrate, yeast, mould and clostridia spores were measured. Compared to the C and LP silages, yeasts were reduced in the LB silages, resulting in an increased aerobic stability. Clostridia spores, determined by most probable number (MPN) procedure, increased to 6 log₁₀ MPN g⁻¹ in the C and LP maize silages, whereas they reached 3 log₁₀ MPN g⁻¹ in C and LP sorghum silages.
Conclusions:  Clostridia spore count only slightly increased in the LB maize silages after 342 h (2·59 log₁₀ MPN g⁻¹), whereas it did not show any increase in the LB sorghum silages for the whole period of air exposure.
Significance and impact of the study:  The data indicated that clostridia spore outgrowth can take place during silo feedout in aerobic-deteriorated silages and that LB inoculation reduces the risk of clostridia outgrowth after silage opening by increasing the aerobic stability.     

Effect of mycorrhizal inocula on the growth of Sitka spruce seedlings in different soils

Summary Different mycorrhizal fungi were tested for their effectiveness in promoting growth of Sitka spruce seedlings, in two contrasting soils, in a glasshouse pot experiment. In nursery soil,Laccaria amethystina significantly improved growth of seedlings in comparison toL. laccata. Seedlings inoculated with a forest isolate ofThelephora terrestris were significantly larger than those inoculated with a nursery isolate when grown in forest soil. The effectiveness ofComplexipes moniliformis in forest soil was poor in comparison to other mycorrhizal fungi. Strains aswell as species of mycorrhizal fungi affect seedling growth differently. These effects are further influenced by soil type.     

Effect of Sparkill and Tafaban insecticides on the mycoflora of maize plant in Upper Egypt

Sparkill (25% Cypermethrin) and Tafaban (48% Chlorpyrifos) insecticides were used in the treatment of maize plants in the field to investigate the effect of these compounds on fungi associated with roots and shoots of maize as well as on soil fungi. Generally, the two insecticides exhibited an inhibitive effect on the total and individual counts of glucophilic fungi after different periods of treatment except in some cases the counts were not affected or promoted compared with the control samples. Fungal genera and species associated with roots and shoots of maize plants were isolated from untreated plants as control and then compared with those isolated from plants treated with different doses of insecticides. The most common fungal species recovered from soil and different parts of plants were Alternaria alternata, Aspergillus flavus, A. fumigatus, A. niger, A. terreus, Cochliobolus spicifer, Emericella nidulans, E. nidulans var. lata, Fusarium oxysporum, Gibberella fujikuroi, Nectria haematococca, Penicillium chrysogenum, P. funiculosum, P. oxalicum and Rhizopus stolonifer.     

Positive interactions between mycorrhizal fungi and bacteria are widespread and benefit plant growth

1. Download : Download high-res image (331KB)
2. Download : Download full-size image

     

The impact of wildfire on vesicular-arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi and their potential to influence the re-establishment of post-fire plant communities

Wildfires are a typical event in many Australian plant communities. Vesicular-arbuscular mycorrhizal (VAM) fungi are important for plant growth in many communities, especially on infertile soils, yet few studies have examined the impact of wildfire on the infectivity of VAM fungi. This study took the opportunity offered by a wildfire to compare the infectivity and abundance of spores of VAM fungi from: (i) pre-fire and post-fire sites, and (ii) post-fire burned and unburned sites. Pre-fire samples had been taken in May 1990 and mid-December 1990 as part of another study. A wildfire of moderate intensity burned the site in late December 1990. Post-fire samples were taken from burned and unburned areas immediately after the fire and 6 months after the fire. A bioassay was used to examine the infectivity of VAM fungi. The post-fire soil produced significantly less VAM infection than the pre-fire soil. However, no difference was observed between colonization of plant roots by VAM fungi in soil taken from post-fire burned and adjacent unburned plots. Soil samples taken 6 months after the fire produced significantly more VAM than corresponding soil samples taken one year earlier. Spore numbers were quantified be wet-sieving and decanting of 100-g, air-dried soil subsamples and microscopic examination. For the most abundant spore type, spore numbers were significantly lower immediately post-fire. However, no significant difference in spore numbers was observed between post-fire burned and unburned plots. Six months after the fire, spore numbers were the same as the corresponding samples taken 1 year earlier. All plants appearing in the burned site resprouted from underground organs. All post-fire plant species recorded to have mycorrhizal associations before the fire had the same associations after the fire, except for species of Conospermum (Proteaceae), which lacked internal vesicles in cortical cells in the post-fire samples.     

丛枝菌根真菌与植食性昆虫的相互作用

丛枝菌根(arbuscular mycorrhizal AM)真菌与昆虫均是陆地生态系统中的重要组分,同植物关系密切,对植物的影响和作用是巨大的。生态系统中则以AM真菌-植物-昆虫互作体系参预食物网与生态过程。早在20世纪80年代,人们已开始研究AM真菌对昆虫的影响。进入21世纪人们越来越重视AM真菌与昆虫的相互作用。总结了AM真菌对昆虫取食偏好、生长、繁殖和对植物危害等方面的影响、以及昆虫对AM真菌侵染、扩展和产孢的影响;分析了植物营养状况、昆虫性别、昆虫龄期和AM真菌种类等对AM真菌与昆虫相互作用的影响特点;探讨了AM真菌与昆虫相互作用的机制;展望了利用AM真菌抑制植食性害虫、及促进天敌昆虫和部分传粉昆虫作用的可能性,旨在丰富菌根学研究内容、促进AM真菌与昆虫互作领域的深入研究、为探索生物防控农林业害虫的新途径提供依据。     

Effect of liming on spore germination,germ tube growth and root colonization by vesicular-arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi

Summary The effect of soil acidity on spore germination, germ tube growth and root colonization of vesicular-arbuscular mycorrhizal (VAM) fungi was examined using a Florida Ultisol. Soil samples were treated with 0, 4, 8 and 12 meq Ca/MgCO₃/100 g soil and each lime level received 0, 240, and 720 ppm P as superphosphate. Corn (Zea mays L.) was planted in the soil treatments, inoculated with eitherGlomus mosseae orGigaspora margarita spores and grown for 31 days. Acid soil inhibits mycorrhizal formation byG. mosseae through its strong fungistatic effect against the spores. The dolomitic lime increased mycorrhizal formation by both fungal species.G. margarita is much less sensitive to acidic conditions thanG. mosseae. Al ions are a very important component of the fungistatic property against the VAM symbiosis. VAM fungus adaptation may be important for plants growing on infertile acid soils if soil inoculation with these fungi is to contribute significantly to low-input technology for tropical agricultural systems.     

脱落酸对丛枝菌根真菌侵染和产孢的调控效应研究

[目的]揭示脱落酸(ABA)对丛枝菌根(AM)真菌侵染和产孢的影响,建立利用外源ABA促进孢子产量的高效菌剂扩繁方法.[方法]利用番茄毛状根和AM真菌Rhizophagus irregularis DAOM 197198建立双重培养体系,通过外源施用ABA、赤霉素(GA)或者使用ABA、GA的缺陷突变体,染色观察菌根侵...     

Organic fertilizers alter the composition of pathogens and arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi in maize roots

Roots of agricultural crops, including maize, are hosts of different microorganisms, many beneficial, like plant growth and health‐promoting arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF), as well as pathogens including Pythium, Polymyxa and Microdochium. To improve crop nutrition and health, profound knowledge is required regarding how agricultural practices affect field populations of root‐associated microorganisms. Hence, the objective of this work was to evaluate the effect of crop genotype and organic fertilizers on the plant growth performance of maize and their root‐associated microorganisms. The experiment was conducted as a fully factorial greenhouse pot experiment with maize cultivars (two land races and two hybrids) and organic fertilizers (green manure, cow manure and compost) as the two main factors. Plants were harvested 8 weeks after sowing. In general, the different maize cultivars responded similarly to the applications of the organic fertilizers. Cow manure and compost increased plant growth, whereas green manure had limited effect on plant growth. Root colonization with AMF was reduced by green manure with rape. Infection with the root pathogens Pythium and Polymyxa was reduced by all organic fertilizers, whereas in contrast, infection with Microdochium increased with the majority of the organic fertilizers applied. In conclusion, both maize genotype and organic fertilizers affect the abundance of AMF and root pathogens in maize, which should be considered when developing management strategies of these root‐inhabiting microorganisms.     

Effects of long-term NP-fertilization on abundance and diversity of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi under a maize cropping system

Diversity of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) in 27-year long-term NP-fertilization plots under a maize cropping system in Thailand was studied through spore morphological characterization. The plots received 0–0, 60–60, 120–120 and 180–180 kg N-P₂O₅ ha^–1 year^–1 as ammonium sulfate and triple superphosphate. The plots were sampled monthly for one year, the AMF spores were counted and morphotyped, and taxa were identified after morphotyping and monospecific pot culture. Spore number g^–1 soil, relative spore abundance and Shannon-Wiener indexes were calculated. Sixteen putative taxa were recorded from the field of which nine sporulated on maize roots in pot culture. The long-term fertilization caused decreases in AMF total spore numbers and variation in species diversity depended on sampling time. Effects of fertilization on spore number and also relative spore abundance varied with species and sampling time. Among the nine species sporulating under maize, only Acaulospora sp.1 showed no change (P > 0.003 after Bonferroni correction) in spore number with fertilization in the field; and was therefore classified as an AMF species insensitive to fertilization. Spores of Entrophospora schenckii, Glomus mosseae, Glomus sp.1, Glomus geosporum-like and Scutellospora fulgida, though they decreased in absolute numbers in response to fertilization, showed no change (P > 0.003 after Bonferroni correction) in relative abundance; these species were classified as AMF species slightly sensitive to fertilization. Three unidentified species of Glomus, though they decreased in absolute numbers in response to fertilization, showed decreases (P < 0.003 after Bonferroni correction) in relative abundance; these species were classified as AMF species highly sensitive to fertilization.     

Responses of barley,pea, and maize to inoculation with different vesicular-arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi in irradiated soil

Summary The efficiency of different VAM fungi was investigated by inoculating barley, pea, and maize with different VAM fungi in irradiated soil in pots buried in the field. VAM frequency, growth and nutrient uptake were measured. In barleyGlomus epigaeus (CA) andG. macrocarpus (CA) were the most efficient out of 11 tested species and increased yield of grain by 24% and 21%, though they were not significant according to oneway analysis of variance. In pea, yield of grain was significantly increased from 46% to 104% (mean=68%) by 7 out of 10 tested species and by 105% by application of P fertilizer. The most efficient species wereG. epigaeus (CA),G. mosseae (GB), andG. etunicatus (CA). In maizeG. mosseae (GB) andG. caledonius (DK) increased total yield significantly by 59% and 47% in one experiment and in another experiment yield of cob was increased by 68% byG. mosseae (GB), 72% byG. caledonius (DK), and by 153% by application of P fertilizer. This experiment demonstrated that responsiveness to inoculation by VAM fungi differed among plant species, and that efficiency of different VAM fungi differed.     

不同林龄杉木人工林菌根侵染特征研究

丛枝菌根真菌是一种通过土壤侵染植物根系,与寄主植物互利共生的重要有益真菌。探究不同林龄杉木林中菌根侵染状况与土壤养分的变化规律,有利于深入认识丛枝菌根真菌—杉木相互作用的养分调控因素,从而为改善杉木人工林土壤肥力、促进杉木林可持续经营提供依据。分别选取10a、25a、45a杉木纯林,分析了不同林分菌根侵染率与孢子密度及部分土壤养分因子(全磷、速效磷、全钾、速效钾)的关系。结果表明:(1)菌根侵染率与孢子密度均呈现出随林龄增大而增大的趋势,pH随林龄增大而减少的趋势;(2)根际土中磷的含量总体偏低,而且受到土壤酸化流失和丛枝菌根真菌积累的双重影响呈现出先减少后增加的趋势;(3)虽然有效钾含量随林龄变化趋势不显著,但丛枝菌根真菌能促进土壤钾的积累。因此,丛枝菌根真菌能有效调控根际土的养分动力学特征,减缓土壤酸化造成的养分流失。     

Interactions between arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi and bacteria and their potential for stimulating plant growth

Arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi and bacteria can interact synergistically to stimulate plant growth through a range of mechanisms that include improved nutrient acquisition and inhibition of fungal plant pathogens. These interactions may be of crucial importance within sustainable, low-input agricultural cropping systems that rely on biological processes rather than agrochemicals to maintain soil fertility and plant health. Although there are many studies concerning interactions between AM fungi and bacteria, the underlying mechanisms behind these associations are in general not very well understood, and their functional properties still require further experimental confirmation. Future mycorrhizal research should therefore strive towards an improved understanding of the functional mechanisms behind such microbial interactions, so that optimized combinations of microorganisms can be applied as effective inoculants within sustainable crop production systems. In this context, the present article seeks to review and discuss the current knowledge concerning interactions between AM fungi and plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria, the physical interactions between AM fungi and bacteria, enhancement of phosphorus and nitrogen bioavailability through such interactions, and finally the associations between AM fungi and their bacterial endosymbionts. Overall, this review summarizes what is known to date within the present field, and attempts to identify promising lines of future research.     

Interactions between Glomus mosseae and arbuscular mycorrhizal sporocarp-associated saprophytic fungi

The saprophytic fungi Wardomyces inflatus (Marchal) Hennebert, Paecilomyces farinosus (Holm & Gray) A. H. S. Brown & G. Sm., Gliocladium roseum Bain., sterile dark mycelium (SDM-54), Trichoderma pseudokoningii Rifai and Trichoderma harzianum Rifai were isolated from sporocarps of Glomus mosseae. The effect of saprophytic fungi on G. mosseae spore germination was tested on water agar. Wardomyces inflatus decreased the percent germination of G. mosseae spores; G. roseum, T. pseudokoningii and T. harzianum had no effect on germination; and P. farinosus and SDM-54 increased the percentage of spore germination of G. mosseae after 4 d. Wardomyces inflatus significantly decreased hyphal length of spores which germinated, but no other saprophytic fungi affected hyphal growth. Trichoderma pseudokoningii, T. harzianum, P. farinosus and SDM-54 increased the number of auxiliary cells formed by G. mosseae. The effect of saprophytic fungi on arbuscular mycorrhizal colonization of soybean was studied in a greenhouse trial. The percentage of soybean root length colonized was decreased by W. inflatus, unaffected by SDM-54 and T. harzianum, and increased by P. farinosus. Gliocladium roseum decreased root length colonized when plants were 12 wk old, and T. pseudokoningii increased colonization of roots when plants were 4 wk old. Antagonistic, synergistic and neutral actions of G. mosseae upon the saprophytic fungi were observed. The population of T. harzianum decreased and the populations of T. pseudokoningii and SDM-54 increased in the presence of G. mosseae. Our results indicate a complex interaction between G. mosseae and associated saprophytic fungi.     

荞麦、高粱根系分泌物对玉米根边缘细胞和根生长的影响

植物的根系分泌物是植物根系与周围环境之间的化学媒介,通过传递特定的信息,调节根际微环境,影响周围植物的生长。玉米(Zea mays L.)和荞麦(Fagopyrum esculentum Moench)是农作物间套作体系中典型的不能搭配的组合,其障碍因素尚不清楚。以玉米为受体植物,采用根悬空培养的方法,研究了荞麦、高粱(Sorghum bicolor(L.) Moench)根系分泌物对玉米根边缘细胞和根生长的影响。结果发现,玉米根边缘细胞离体培养条件下,用荞麦根系分泌物中的小分子物质处理4、8 h显著诱导边缘细胞凋亡、死亡,细胞活率分别比对照降低了71.6%和72.3%;荞麦根系分泌物中的小分子物质对玉米根产生氧化胁迫,诱导根SOD、POD和CAT活性分别比对照高22.6%、33.9%和107.2%,根中超氧阴离子(O₂^-·)和脯氨酸含量分别比对照高33.9%和49.8%;荞麦根系分泌物中小分子物质的胁迫使根细胞膜透性增大,与对照相比升高80.0%,丙二醛(MDA)含量比对照升高31.5%;荞麦根系分泌物中小分子物质诱导根内源激素(IAA)含...     

丛枝菌根真菌伴生细菌的研究进展

在丛枝菌根真菌（Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi,AMF）的孢子、菌丝的表面或内部栖息着细菌,称之为AMF伴生细菌。AMF伴生细菌种类多样、分布广泛,生态位点包括孢子壁的表面或内部、细胞质、菌丝、孢子果等。其可能的生物学意义包括影响AMF孢子萌发、菌丝生长、菌根形成等过程。由于伴生细菌与AMF联系紧密,其对AMF和土壤微生物生态学具有重要的意义。国际上在该领域的研究已有30多年的历史,就其研究进展进行综述。     

A field study using the fungicide benomyl to investigate the effect of mycorrhizal fungi on plant fitness

Summary The effect of vesicular-arbuscular mycorrhiza (VAM) on the fecundity ofVulpia ciliata ssp.ambigua was investigated at two field sites in eastern England by applying the fungicide benomyl to reduce VAM infection. The application of benomyl at the two sites produced very different results. At one site the application of the fungicide reduced the fecundity of plants whereas at the other fecundity was increased. At the first site the reduction in fecundity was linked to a significant reduction in VAM infection on the sprayed plants. The mechanism of the benefit associated with the VAM infection is however unclear: there was no treatment effect on morphology or on phosphorus inflow. At the second site, where fecundity was increased, there was only a negligible amount of VAM infection amongst the unsprayed plants and it is suggested that the increase in fecundity with the application of benomyl may have resulted from a reduction in infection by other, presumably pathogenic, fungi. The value of VAM fungi to the host plant may therefore not be restricted to physiological benefits. They may also provide protection to the plant by competing for space with other species of pathogenic fungi.     

自然入侵条件下黄顶菊丛枝菌根定殖及发育的研究

为探讨丛枝菌根(arbuscular mycorrhiza,AM)真菌在黄顶菊Flaveria bidentis入侵过程中可能发挥的作用,首先调查和研究了黄顶菊AM的侵入和生长表现。在黄顶菊入侵严重的河北省选择采样地点,分别从衡水地区的滨湖新区小北田村、冀州市漳下村、枣强县北王庄村、桃城区八里庄村、滨湖新区顺民庄村和滨湖新区刘家台村6个地点按黄顶菊重、中、轻3种盖度和不同生育期(苗期、花期和结籽期)采集根系和根区土样。分离根区土壤中AM真菌孢子、观察AM发育特征、测定孢子密度、AM真菌侵染率、丛枝着生率等,并与土壤理化性质进行了相关性分析。结果在各采样地点均观察到AM典型结构,不同样地菌丝侵染率、I型丛枝密度以及孢子密度的最大值均出现在八里庄村,泡囊密度和A型丛枝密度的最大值分别出现在小北田村和刘家台村;不同盖度下AM真菌侵染率最高值均出现在重度侵染区;不同生长时期黄顶菊的AM也有差异,除了丛枝密度最高值出现在花期和菌丝侵染率差异不显著外,菌丝侵染率、泡囊密度和孢子密度均在结籽期出现最大值。土壤理化特性也显著影响黄顶菊AM的发育,菌丝侵染率与土壤有机质呈显著正相关,与p H值呈显著负相关,与速效P含量呈极显著负相关;A型丛枝密度与p H含量呈显著负相关;I型丛枝密度与土壤全N含量呈极显著正相关;孢子密度与有机质含量和全N含量均呈显著正相关。因此,AM真菌侵染可能会促进黄顶菊的入侵。     

Regulation of arbuscular mycorrhizal development by plant host and fungus species in alfalfa

Two cvs of alfalfa ( Medicago sativa L.), Gilboa and Moapa 69, were inoculated in glasshouse pots with three arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi to investigate the efficacy of mycorrhizas with respect to the extent of colonization and sporulation. Paspalum notatum Flugge also was inoculated to describe fungal parameters on a routine pot culture host. Percentage root length of P. notatum colonized by Glomus mosseae (Nicol. & Gerd.) Gerdemann & Trappe, Glomus intraradices Schenck & Smith, and Gigaspora margarita Becker & Hall increased from 10 to 21 wk, and all fungi sporulated during that period. In alfalfa, only colonization by G. intraradices increased over that time period, and it was the only fungus to sporulate in association with alfalfa at 10 wk. Glomus mosseae did not sporulate after 16–21 wk despite having colonized 30–35% of the root length of both alfalfa cvs. In vitro experiments in which Ri T-DNA-transformed roots of alfalfa were inoculated with AM fungi showed normal mycorrhizal formation by G. intraradices and a hypersensitivity-like response to Gi. margarita . Colonized cells became necrotic, and HPLC analysis indicated increased concentrations of phenolics and isoflavonoids in these root segments. These data strongly support the existence of a degree of specificity between AM fungi and host that might rely on specific biochemical regulatory processes initiated in the host as a result of the attempts at colonization by the fungus.