Mycorrhiza and soil bacteria influence extractable iron and manganese in soil and uptake by soybean

Excess manganese (Mn) in soil is toxic to crops, but in some situations arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) alleviate the toxic effects of Mn. Besides the increased phosphorus (P) uptake, mycorrhiza may affect the balance between Mn-reducing and Mn-oxidizing microorganisms in the mycorrhizosphere and affect the level of extractable Mn in soil. The aim of this work was to compare mycorrhizal and non-mycorrhizal plants that received extra P in relation to alleviation of Mn toxicity and the balance between Mn-oxidizing and Mn-reducing bacteria in the mycorrhizosphere. A clayey soil containing 508 mg kg⁻¹ of extractable Mn was fertilized with 30 mg kg⁻¹ (P1) or 45 mg kg⁻¹ (P2) of soluble P. Soybean (Glycine max L. Merrill, cv. IAC 8-2) plants at P1 level were non-inoculated (CP1) or inoculated with either Glomus etunicatum (GeP1) or G. macrocarpum (GmP1), while plants at P2 level were left non-inoculated (CP2). Plants were grown in a greenhouse and harvested after 80 days. In the mycorrhizosphere of the GmP1 and GeP1 plants a shift from Mn-oxidizing to Mn-reducing bacteria coincided with higher soil extractability of Mn and Fe. However, the occurrence of Mn-oxidizing/reducing bacteria in the (mycor)rhizosphere was unrelated to Mn toxicity in plants. Using 16S rDNA sequence homologies, the Mn-reducing isolates were consistent with the genus Streptomyces. The Mn-oxidizers were homologous with the genera Arthrobacter, Variovorax and Ralstonia. While CP1 plants showed Mn toxicity throughout the whole growth period, CP2 plants never did, in spite of having Fe and Mn shoot concentrations as high as in CP1 plants. Mycorrhizal plants showed Mn toxicity symptoms early in the growth period that were no longer visible in later growth stages. The shoot P concentration was almost twice as high in mycorrhizal plants compared with CP1 and CP2 plants. The shoot Mn and Fe concentrations and contents were lower in GmP1 and GeP1 plants compared with the CP2 treatment, even though levels of extractable metals increased in the soil when plants were mycorrhizal. This suggests that mycorrhiza protected its host plant from excessive uptake of Mn and Fe. In addition, higher tissue P concentrations may have facilitated internal detoxification of Mn in mycorrhizal plants. The exact mechanisms acting on alleviation of Mn toxicity in mycorrhizal plants should be further investigated.     

Mass production of Glomus mosseae spores

Five crops inoculated with Glomus mosseae were grown for 10 weeks and the development of mycorrhizal infection and sporulation were assessed. Infected roots from pot cultures of different ages were used to examine the host effect on the development of mycorrhizae. The effectiveness of each host was assessed by measuring spore numbers. For all hosts, the percentage of root length infected increased rapidly up to 10 weeks after sowing. Infectivity of root inocula increased with increasing percentage of root length infected with the inoculum for all crops, except where large numbers of mature spores (1755) had been produced on barley. The highest spore numbers were achieved in the rhizosphere of barley plants, followed by chickpea and beans. The lowest spore numbers were found in the rhizosphere of corn and okra plants. The type of the crop as well as the harvest date greatly influenced the size of the spore population and the extent of root colonization of G. mosseae.     

Interaction of Glomus mosseae and Paecilomyces lilacinus on Meloidogyne javanica of tomato

The effects of Glomus mosseae and Paecilomyces lilacinus on Meloidogyne javanica of tomato were tested in a greenhouse experiment. Chicken layer manure was used as a carrier substrate for the inoculum of P. lilacinus. The following parameters were used: gall index, average number of galls per root system, plant height, shoot and root weights. Inoculation of tomato plants with G. mosseae did not markedly increase the growth of infected plants with M. javanica. Inoculation of plants with G. mosseae and P. lilacinus together or separately resulted in similar shoots and plant heights. The highest root development was achieved when mycorrhizal plants were inoculated with P. lilacinus to control root-knot nematode. Inoculation of tomato plants with G. mosseae suppressed gall index and the average number of galls per root system by 52% and 66%, respectively, compared with seedlings inoculated with M. javanica alone. Biological control with both G. mosseae and P. lilacinus together or separately in the presence of layer manure completely inhibited root infection with M. javanica. Mycorrhizal colonization was not affected by the layer manure treatment or by root inoculation with P. lilacinus. Addition of layer manure had a beneficial effect on plant growth and reduced M. javanica infection.     

Interactions Between Plant Growth Promoting Fungi and Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungus Glomus Mosseae and Induction of Systemic Resistance to Anthracnose Disease in Cucumber

Cucumber plants were treated with plant growth promoting fungi (PGPF), Phoma sp. (isolates GS8-2 and GS8-3) and Penicillium simplicissimum (isolate GP17-2) with or without the arbuscular mycorrhizal fungus (AMF) Glomus mosseae. Induction of systemic resistance in cucumber against the anthracnose disease caused by Colletotrichum orbiculare was tested to evaluate the nature of the interaction between the PGPF and AMF. Root colonizing ability of each fungal species as influenced by their interaction was also evaluated. Plant roots were pre-inoculated with each PGPF isolate and/or G. mosseae for four weeks and leaves were then challenge inoculated with the pathogen C. orbiculare. Plants treated with each PGPF isolate showed considerable protection against the disease, but the treatment of G. mosseae had no significant effect on disease development. However, combined inoculation of Phoma GS8-2 or GS8-3 with G. mosseae reduced the level of disease protection induced by single inoculation of each Phoma isolate. In contrast, the high levels of protection induced by the P. simplicissimum GP17-2 were not altered by combining it with G. mosseae. Root colonization of both Phoma sp. isolates was also suppressed by the presence of the G. mosseae, but such an effect was not found on the population development of P. simplicissimum. The percent cucumber root length colonized by G. mosseae was not affected by any of the PGPF isolates tested.     

Integration of Glomus mosseae with Chromolaena odorata powder for suppression of Meloidogyne incognita on maize (Zea mays L.)

Meloidogyne incognita infestation on maize results in heavy yield loss in farmers’ field. Most of the varieties adopted by subsistence farmers in Nigeria are susceptible to M. incognita. Beside these, the cost of control exceeding the profit from the crop using nematicides and the pollution risk they pose to the environment has necessitated the need for alternatives. Pot and field experiments were, therefore, conducted to investigate the effects of Chromolaena odorata powder and Glomus mosseae (a mycorrhizal fungus) on M. incognita pathogenicity on maize. Hybrid Oba super II improved maize variety adopted by local farmers was selected for the study. Maize plants were grown with G. mosseae (5 spores/g of soil) and soil amended with C. odorata powder (1% w/w) singly and in combination. Two weeks after emergence, Test plants were inoculated with 5000 M. incognita eggs. Sixty days after planting, destructive samples were assessed for root gall symptom and severity, and nematode population. Results show that G. mosseae and C. odorata powder were effective in controlling the population of M. incognita and the root knot nematode symptom and gave the highest yield parameters in combination. Single application of G. mosseae and C. odorata powder was similar in the effect on M. incognita and maize yield. Combination of G. mosseae and C. odorata powder may become a viable alternative to nematicide in managing M. incognita pathogenicity on maize as C. odorata powder may serve as a carrier medium for G. mosseae.     

Interaction between arbuscular mycorrhizal fungus Glomus mosseae and plant growth promoting fungus Phoma sp. on their root colonization and growth promotion of cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.)

Interaction between arbuscular mycorrhizal fungus Glomus mosseae and plant growth promoting fungus Phoma sp. was studied for its effect on their root colonization and plant growth of cucumber. Two isolates of Phoma sp. (GS8-2 and GS8-3) were tested with G. mosseae. The percent root length colonized by G. mosseae was not adversely affected by the presence of Phoma isolates. In contrast, the root colonization of both isolates GS8-2 and GS8-3 in 4-week-old plants was significantly reduced (80.7% and 84.3%, respectively) by added G. mosseae. Inoculating plants with each Phoma isolate significantly increased the shoot dry weight. However, dual inoculation of each Phoma isolate with G. mosseae had no significant effect on growth enhancement.     

Increased Growth and Yield of Hydroponically Grown Greenhouse Tomato Plants Inoculated with Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi and Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. radicis-lycopersici

The arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi Glomus monosporum, G. vesiculiferum, G. deserticola, G. intraradices, G. mosseae, and two unidentified species were tested to determine their effect on plant growth and fruit production of tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill.) cv. Trust inoculated with Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. radicis-lycopersici (FORL) under near-commercial greenhouse conditions. Inoculation with G. monosporum and G. mosseae significantly increased fruit yield and fruit number of tomato plants grown hydroponically in sawdust. Plant height and plant dry weight increased significantly when inoculated with G. monosporum and G. mosseae. Further, plants inoculated with G. monosporum and G. mosseae showed significantly lower FORL root infection than the untreated control plants.     

Effects of the root-lesion nematode Pratylenchus vulnus and the mycorrhizal fungus Glomus mosseae on the growth of EMLA-26 apple rootstock

The interaction between Pratylenchus vulnus and the endomycorrhizal fungus Glomus mosseae on the growth of EMLA 26 apple rootstock was studied under shadehouse conditions in the field during the first 6 months of growth. Fresh top weights, fresh root weights, and shoot lengths of mycorrhizal plants with and without P. vulnus were significantly higher than those of nonmycorrhizal plants. Addition of P to non-mycorrhizal controls had little overall effect. Mycorrhizal treatments with the nematode showed a significantly lower amount of nematodes per gram of root than nonmycorrhizal treatments with P. vulnus. Root colonization by G. mosseae was not affected by the presence of the nematode. No nutrient deficiencies were detected in foliar analyses, although low levels of K, A1, and Fe were detected in nematode treatments. The highest levels of S, Mg, Mn and Zn were detected in P. vulnus inoculated plants. Mycorrhizal plants had the highest levels of N, Na, P, K, and Fe. The importance of early mycorrhizal infection of EMLA 26 apple root-stock in the presence of the nematode is discussed.     

Cadmium Remediation by Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungus–Colonized Celery Plants Supplemented with Ethylenediaminetetraacetic Acid

A pot trial using Glomus mosseae along with EDTA (ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid) was conducted for the phytoextraction of cadmium (Cd) by celery (Apium graveolens Linn.) plants from soil artificially contaminated with Cd under glass house conditions. The experiment is a 2 × 2 × 4 factorial design with two levels of G. mosseae inoculations (G. mosseae inoculated and uninoculated), two EDTA concentrations (without and with 2.5 mmol kg^?1 soil EDTA) and four Cd concentrations (0, 5, 10, and 20 mg kg^?1 soil). The results indicate the formation of an effective symbiosis between G. mosseae and celery in the contaminated soil. However, an increase in Cd input level and EDTA addition showed strong phytotoxic effect on celery plants and G. mosseae, as a considerable decrease in the frequency of root colonization and spore density was noticed. However, the plants were able to withstand the stressed condition due to the benefits provided by G. mosseae through increased P accumulation, chlorophyll content, and plant growth, resulting in an increase in Cd accumulation, which was good enough for the phytoextraction purpose. Thus, celery plants inoculated with G. mosseae and later supplemented with EDTA could be an effective and potentially suitable practice for the remediation of Cd-contaminated sites.     

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.     

The effect of vesicular-arbuscular mycorrhizae and chilling on two hybrids of Zea mays L.

In order to investigate the effect of vesicular-arbuscular mycorrhizae on the chilling resistance of Zea mays, seeds of two hybrids (Pioneer 3902 and Pride 5) were grown in soil inoculated with Glomus mosseae. Germination tests at 10° C and 25° C showed that Pride 5 was more resistant to chilling than Pioneer 3902. Plants grown at 25° C for 6 weeks were given a 1-week chilling treatment at 10° C and the responses of mycorrhizal and nonmycorrhizal plants of the two hybrids were compared. At 10° C, the mycorrhizal plants had greater biomass, carbohydrate, and protein content than the nonmycorrhizal plants.     

Development of two endomycorrhizal symbioses on soybean and comparison with phosphorus fertilization

Summary Soybean (Glycine max L. Merr. cv. Amsoy 71) plants were grown in a greenhouse in a soil very low in plant-available P, and plants were harvested 5 times over a 21-week growth period. Soybeans were inoculated with one of two species of VAM fungi or received daily one of three nutrient solutions of different P concentrations (0.0, 0.2, or 1.0mMP). Until week 9, the dry weights, leaf areas and developmental stage of soybeans inoculated withG. fasciculatum orG. mosseae were similar to the 1.0 or 0.2mMP-treated plants, respectively. Phosphorus concentrations were significantly lower in VAM plants at weeks 6 and 9 as compared to non-VAM soybeans given 1.0mMP, suggesting P input in VAM plants was immediately used for new growth. Total P input for VAM plants was linear over 21 weeks, and the average rate of P uptake for these plants was 0.19mg P d⁻¹. Estimated specific P uptake rates (SPUR) for the mycorrhizae (VAM roots) were twice that of the control (0.0mMP) roots. The calculated SPURs forG. fasciculatum andG. mosseae hyphae were 95 and 120μg P g⁻¹ VAM d⁻¹ respectively, a 4 to 5 fold increase over non-inoculated roots, indicating more attention must be paid to P assimilation by VAM fungi in P-fixing substrates. Contribution from the Western Regional Research Center, USDA-ARS (CRIS No. 5325-20580-003).     

The Role of Mycorrhizae Associated with Vetiver Grown in Pb-/Zn-Contaminated Soils: Greenhouse Study

The effects of mycorrhizae on growth and uptake of N, P, Zn, and Pb by plants were investigated in a greenhouse trial using vetiver grass (Vetiveria zizanioides) as host. Inoculation of the host plants with arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF), Glomus mosseae and G. intraradices spores, significantly increased the growth and P uptake. Mycorrhizal colonization increased Pb and Zn uptake by plants under low soil metal concentrations (at 0 and 10 mg/kg of Pb or Zn), whereas under higher concentrations (at 100 and 1,000 mg/kg of Pb or Zn), it decreased Pb and Zn uptake. P concentration in soil was negatively correlated with mycorrhizal colonization as well as Zn or Pb concentrations. The results showed that inoculation of the host plants with AMF protects them from the potential toxicity caused by increased uptake of Pb and Zn, but the degree of protection varied according to the fungus and host plant combination. The potential of arbuscular mycorrhizae in phytoremediation of the Zn‐ or the Pb‐contaminated soils is discussed in this article.     

Influence of bio-inoculants on the control of root rot and wilt disease of pyrethrum caused by Rhizoctonia solani

The effect of four bio-inoculants namely, Glomus aggregatum, Streptomyces sp., Bacillus subtilis and Trichoderma harzianum and a fungicide, Ridomil-mancozeb was evaluated on the biomass production and control of root rot and wilt disease under glasshouse conditions. Results showed that 21-day- prior inoculation with G. aggregatum was most effective where none of the treated plants produced disease symptoms and interestingly their growth was increased by 39.4%. The colonisation by G. aggregatum (>80%) also increased P concentration in shoot. While, similar treatment with Streptomyces sp., B. subtilis, T. harzianum and Ridomil-mancozeb individually failed to produce any significant effect over Rhizoctonia solani inoculated control, where all inoculated plant died, prematurely. The simultaneous and 3-day-post treatments of G. aggregatum were non-effective but simultaneous treatment with Streptomyces sp. produced 70% disease control, while B. subtilis and T. harzianum individually provided 50% control. Their effects were either better or at par when compared with the simultaneous treatment of Ridomil-mancozeb. In 3-day-post treatment, Streptomyces, B. subtilis and Ridomil-mancozeb individually provided 50% disease control, whereas T. harzianum was least effective as it could protect only 25% plants against infection. The results reveals that 15 days prior treatment of G. aggregatum can significantly controls the root rot and wilt disease of pyrethrum. Further, treatment of Streptomyces can also serve the next effective post infection control method.     

Bacterial effects on arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi and mycorrhiza development as influenced by the bacteria, fungi, and host plant

Bacterial strains from mycorrhizal roots (three belonging to Comamonadaceae and one to Oxalobacteraceae) and from non-mycorrhizal roots (two belonging to Comamonadaceae) of Medicago truncatula and two reference strains (Collimonas fungivorans Ter331 and Pseudomonas fluorescens C7R12) were tested for their effect on the in vitro saprophytic growth of Glomus mosseae BEG12 and on its colonization of M. truncatula roots. Only the Oxalobacteraceae strain, isolated from barrel medic mycorrhizal roots, and the reference strain P. fluorescens C7R12 promoted both the saprophytic growth and root colonization of G. mosseae BEG12, indicating that they acted as mycorrhiza helper bacteria. Greatest effects were achieved by P. fluorescens C7R12 and its influence on the saprophytic growth of G. mosseae was compared to that on Gigaspora rosea BEG9 to determine if the bacterial stimulation was fungal specific. This fungal specificity, together with plant specificity, was finally evaluated by comparing bacterial effects on arbuscular mycorrhizal symbiosis when each of the fungal species was inoculated to two different plant species (M. truncatula and Lycopersicon esculentum). The results obtained showed that promotion of saprophytic growth by P. fluorescens C7R12 was expressed in vitro towards G. mosseae but not towards G. rosea. Bacterial promotion of mycorhization was also expressed towards G. mosseae, but not G. rosea, in roots of M. truncatula and L. esculentum. Taken together, results indicated that enhancement of arbuscular mycorrhiza development was only induced by a limited number of bacteria, promotion by the most efficient bacterial strain being fungal and not plant specific.     

Alleviation of salt stress by arbuscular-mycorrhizal Glomus species in Lactuca sativa plants

Improved salt tolerance of mycorrhizal plants is commonly attributed to their better mineral nutrition, particularly phosphorus. However, the effect of arbuscular-mycorrhizal (AM) fungi on salt tolerance may not be limited to this mechanism. We investigated the possibility that non-nutritional effects of AM fungi, based on proline accumulation or increased photosynthesis and related parameters, can influence the tolerance of lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.) to salinity. Three levels of salt (3, 4 and 5 g NaCl kg^-1 dry soil) were applied and plants were maintained under these conditions for 7 weeks. The salt-treated AM plants produced greater root and shoot dry weights than unfertilized or P-fertilized non-AM controls. With increasing salinity, both shoot and root dry weights were reduced, but this decrease was greater in uninoculated plants. In particular, shoot dry weight was not reduced in G. fasciculatum-colonized plants as a consequence of salt, whereas in uninoculated plants it was reduced by about 35% at the highest salt level. Proline accumulation was considerably lower for P-amended non-AM and for AM plants except for G. mosseae-colonized plants than was the case for unamended plants. Transpiration, carbon dioxide exchange rate (CER), stomatal conductance and water use efficiency (WUE) were higher in mycorrhizal plants. At 5 g NaCl kg^-1, both photosynthesis and WUE increased by more than 100% in mycorrhizal treatment relative to uninoculated plants. The contents of phosphorus of P-fertilized non-AM plants was similar to or higher than those of G. mosseae- and G. fasciculatum-colonized plants. Plants colonized by G. deserticola had the highest P-content regardless of salt level. Hence, the effect of G. mosseae and G. fasciculatum on salt tolerance in this experiment could not be attributed to a difference in the P content. The mechanisms by which these two fungi alleviated salt stress appeared to be based on physiological processes (increased CER, transpiration, stomatal conductance and WUE) rather than on nutrient uptake (N or P).     

Differential effects of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Paenibacillus</Emphasis> spp. on cucumber mycorrhizas

The effects of 17 Paenibacillus strains on root colonization by Glomus intraradices or Glomus mosseae and plant growth parameters (shoot and root weight) of mycorrhizal cucumber plants were examined. The Paenibacillus strains were originally isolated from mycorrhizal (G. intraradices) and non-mycorrhizal cucumber rhizosphere and/or hyphosphere, except for strain EJP73, which originated from a Pinus sylvestris-Lactarius rufus ectomycorrhiza. Root colonization of cucumber plants by G. intraradices or G. mosseae was unaffected by all seven strains of Paenibacillus polymyxa, but was decreased or increased by four strains of Paenibacillus macerans and strain EJP73 of Paenibacillus sp. Overall, shoot dry weight of cucumber grown in symbioses with either G intraradices or G. mosseae was unaffected by inoculation with all of the Paenibacillus strains, except for strain MB02-429 of P. macerans, which increased the shoot dry weight in the cucumber-G. mosseae symbiosis. On the other hand, several Paenibacillus strains caused altered root growth. Three strains of P. polymyxa and four strains of P. macerans increased the root fresh weight of the cucumber–G. intraradices symbiosis, whereas three strains of P. polymyxa and one strain of P. macerans as well as Paenibacillus sp. EJP73, decreased the root fresh weight of the cucumber–G. mosseae symbiosis. In conclusion, our results show that bacteria from several species of Paenibacillus differentially affect cucumber mycorrhizas.     

Influence of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi on growth and selenium uptake by garlic plants

The aim of this study is to investigate the effects of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) on garlic plants growth and the uptake of selenium (Se). Garlic plants were grown in the pots inoculated with Glomus fasciculatum and G. mosseae and maintained in a greenhouse. Three weeks after planting, the pots had received different concentrations of Se (5, 10, 15, 20, 25 mg kg^?1 of soil) in the form of selenium dioxide (SeO₂) at 3 weeks intervals up to 12 weeks. For physiological and biochemical analysis, the samples were randomly collected from five plants of each experiment. Maximum AM infection, spore population and plant biomass were observed in the roots of mycorrhizal-mediated plants without Se, and they were gradually declined in both mycorrhizal and non-mycorrhizal (NM) plants with increasing concentrations of Se. Among the two Glomus species tested, G. fasciculatum-mediated plants showed higher AM infection, spore population and plant biomass than G. mosseae. No differences were observed for the uptake of Se in mycorrhizal plants and NM plants. However, NM plants uptake more Se than mycorrhizal plants. Higher contents of total chlorophyll and sugars were observed in plants inoculated with G. fasciculatum without Se and they were decreased in the presence of Se. In contrast, increased amount of glutathione peroxidase was observed at increasing concentrations of Se up to 20 mg kg^?1. High-performance liquid chromatography data revealed that SeO₂ converted to organic form of Se as γ-glutamyl-Se-methylselenocysteine. These results are basis for further investigations on the role of AMF on plant growth and uptake of Se in crop plants.     

Influence of soil pH on the soybean-endomycorrhiza symbiosis

Summary Soybean (Glycine max {L.} Merr.) cultivars were inoculated withGigaspora gigantea andGlomus mosseae to determine mycorrhizal: cultivar relationships as affected by soil pH. The specific cultivarfungal response was dependent on soil pH. Overall cultivar responses in unlimed soil (pH 5.1) were greater forG. gigantea thanG. mosseae. The Bossier —G. gigantea combination was particularly responsive in unlimed soil and showed an increase of 10% in shoot length, 35% in shoot dry weight. 75% in root dry weight, and 397% in nodule dry weight over uninoculated controls. Little cultivar response was observed withG. mosseae inoculation in unlimed soil. In limed soil (pH 6.2), the larger responses were obtained withG. mosseae inoculated plants, although inoculation with eitherG. mosseae orG. gigantea appeared effective. In general, nodulation was greater on mycorrhizal roots than on control roots.     

Vesicular-arbuscular mycorrhizae in a wastewater-irrigated oldfield ecosystem in Michigan

The incidence of vesicular-arbuscular mycorrhizae (VAM) in wastewater irrigated and non-irrigated oldfield soils in Michigan was studied. Soil and root samples were taken monthly from field plots on the second and third years of consecutive irrigation with municipal wastewater at rates of 0, 5 and 10 cm wk^–1. The oldfield ecosystem contained a high VAM fungal spore population density, but low species diversity. The most common VAM fungal species were Glomus mosseae and G. fasciculatum. Both spore density and root colonization were higher in irrigated than in non-irrigated plots. Irrigation effects were largest early in the growing season. In addition to increasing VAM incidence, wastewater irrigation shifted VAM fungal species composition. Irrigation favored G. mosseae over G. fasciculatum. Bioassays using either Sorghum vulgare or Daucus carota, an oldfield native species, indicated that the VAM systems were still functioning after the third year of consecutive wastewater irrigation. The data from experiments using nutrient solutions at wastewater concentrations suggest that the effects of wastewater irrigation on VAM are due to the effects of both water and nutrients. Since VAM are a very important component of the plant's water and nutrient uptake system and equally important in structuring plant communities under limiting growth conditions, it is suggested that the stimulatory effect of wastewater irrigation on VAM in an oldfield ecosystem enhances the ecosystem's ability to function as a living filter for wastewater clean up.Michigan Agricultural Experimental Station Journal Article No 13137.On sabbatical leave from ESAL, Lavras-MG, Brazil