The mining district of Molango in the Hidalgo State, Mexico, possesses one of the largest deposits of manganese (Mn) ore in the world. This research assessed the impacts of Mn mining activity on the environment, particularly the interactions among soil, plants, and arbuscular mycorrhiza (AM) at a location under the influence of an open Mn mine. Soils and plants from three sites (soil under maize, soil under native vegetation, and mine wastes with some vegetation) were analyzed. Available Mn in both soil types and mine wastes did not reach toxic levels. Samples of the two soil types were similar regarding physical, chemical, and biological properties; mine wastes were characterized by poor physical structure, nutrient deficiencies, and a decreased number of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) spores. Tissues of six plant species accumulated Mn at normal levels. AM was absent in the five plant species (Ambrosia psilostachya, Chenopodium ambrosoides, Cynodon dactylon, Polygonum hydropiperoides, and Wigandia urens) established in mine wastes, which was consistent with the significantly lower number of AMF spores compared with both soil types. A. psilostachya (native vegetation) and Zea mays showed mycorrhizal colonization in their root systems; in the former, AM significantly decreased Mn uptake. The following was concluded: (1) soils, mine wastes, and plant tissues did not accumulate Mn at toxic levels; (2) despite its poor physical structure and nutrient deficiencies, the mine waste site was colonized by at least five plant species; (3) plants growing in both soil types interacted with AMF; and (4) mycorrhizal colonization of A. psilostachya influenced low uptake of Mn by plant tissues.

El objetivo fue determinar la petrología y distribución de óxidos de Fe, Al y Si en tres perfiles de suelos de origen volcánico con horizontes endurecidos (fragipán), en la región noroeste del Estado de México. Se utilizaron técnicas químicas selectivas para extraer Fe, Al y Si. El fragipán blanco clasifica petrográficamente como toba dacítica poco soldada y alterada. Los perfiles muestran incipiente a moderado grado de alteración de minerales primarios que contienen Fe y Al dadas las condiciones climáticas de la región. Los contenidos de alofano, ferrihidrita, y óxidos de hierro cristalino se presentan en pocas cantidades, escasos contenidos de Ald y Si lábil en los perfiles indican presencia de aluminosilicatos cristalinos. Bajas relaciones de Alp/Alo y Fep/Feo evidencia que la mayor parte de Al y Fe están unidos a compuestos inorgánicos pobremente cristalinos. Relaciones bajas de Fep/Fed y Alp/Ald indican limitada asociación de Fe y Al con compuestos orgánicos. La relación arcilla/Fed revela emigración de arcilla y óxidos de Fe del horizonte superior al fragipán.  El Si, Al y Fe en el fragipán forman parte de la estructura de los silicatos y mínimo grado de cristalinidad de Fe y Al pedogenético. Valores mayores de relación Sid(Sid+Ald) en el fragipán indican aumento en la dureza.

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The effect of four nitrogen levels (KNO3: 5, 10, 15 and 20 meq L-1) on the production of ricinine was studied using a semi-hydroponic system. The insecticidal activity of methanolic extracts of Ricinus communis L. leaves against Spodoptera frugiperda Smith larvae was also tested. A dosage – response relationship showed strong positive correlation (R2 = 0.92, P ≤ 0.05) between the nitrogen concentration in the hydroponic solution and ricinine percentage in leaves. A strong correlation (R2 = 0.94, P ≤ 0.05) was also shown for nitrogen content in tissues and ricinine percentage. The use of nitrogen in the form of KNO3 increased the production of ricinine, and it also affected mortality of S. frugiperda larvae. LC50 for ricine methanolic extracts of R. communis leaves on S. frugiperda were 13,469.12, 15,754.34, 16,046.11 and 18,155.75 mg mL-1 for nitrogen concentrations of 20, 15, 10 and 5 meq L-1 respectively. Increased nitrogen concentration in the hydroponic solution associated with increments in leaf area and ricinine concentration. This indicates that nitrogen concentration can be manipulated to improve production of this alkaloid, and the extracts used for crop protection.

Background: Wetlands in Neotropics harbor high fungal diversity, including arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) and dark septate endophytes (DSE). This study describes the interaction of plant roots with AMF and DSE in a freshwater wetland belonging to a hotspot of biodiversity.Hypothesis: Differential root colonization between arbuscular mycorrhizal and dark septate endophyte fungi is influenced by plant species and abiotic conditions in a freshwater wetland.  Studied species: Plant species colonized by arbuscular mycorrhizal and dark septate endophyte fungi.Methods: Properties of soils and the water column, floristic composition, root colonization by AMF and DSE, and molecular identification of AMF inside roots were studied.Results: Soils were Gleysol and flooded during the rainy season. Most of identified plant species were herbaceous, with Cyperus articulatus and Mimosa pigra as the dominant species. Seven of 8 analyzed plant species exhibited differential co-colonization between AMF and DSE. Repeated sampling for one year under flooding/dry conditions demonstrated that C. articulatus and M. pigra were mainly associated with DSE and AMF, respectively. A positive correlation between dissolved O2 in the water column and fungal colonization was observed in C. articulatus. Glomerales and Archaeosporales were molecularly identified inside roots containing arbuscules of M. pigra.Conclusions: Findings highlight differential coexistence between AMF and DSE in plant roots; fungal colonization was influenced by flooding/dry conditions in a neotropical wetland; the community of AMF inside arbusculated roots of M. pigra includes at least four clades.