Arbuscular mycorrhizal and dark septate endophyte fungal associations in Asparagus

Abstract

We studied the arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) and dark septate endophyte (DSE) fungal associations in five species of potgrown Asparagus (A. aethiopicus, A. densiflorus, A. setaceus, A. racemosus, and A. umbellatus). Root colonization by AM and DSE fungi and AM spore numbers in the soil were assessed. AM fungal diversity indices like species richness, Shannon-Weiner index, Simpson's index, evenness, and Jaccard's index were determined. Relationships among the fungal and soil variables were also examined. All the species of Asparagus examined were colonized by both AM and DSE fungi, and these associations have been reported for the first time in four species. Root colonization by both the fungi varied significantly among Asparagus species and was related to each other and soil factors. The AM colonization patterns reported in four Asparagus species for the first time were characterized by either intermediate or Arum-Paris type. The AM fungal community was dominated by members belonging to the Glomerales and was significantly influenced by Asparagus species and soil factors. We conclude that Asparagus species could support a diverse AM fungal community even under pot conditions; however, certain AM fungal species are sensitive to changes in soil factors and host species.

Arbuscular mycorrhizal and dark septate fungi colonization in an invasive plant from Patagonian wetlands

“…Bueno de Mesquita et al (2018) suggested a role in mineralizing inorganic N, but the interactions between DSF and AMF remain uncertain. While some authors found positive interactions among them (Ranelli et al, 2015; Scervino et al, 2009; Thangavelu & Raji, 2016), others found that AMF and DSF responded differently to the same environmental factors (Bueno de Mesquita et al, 2018; Gooden et al, 2019; Huo et al, 2021; Jones & French, 2021). The different patterns of colonization may be attributed to the fact that AMF are obligate symbionts.…”

“…Nonetheless, as for AMF, DSF associations can either stimulate or reduce host plant growth (Caldwell et al, 2000). Also, the interactions between DSF and AMF were reported as positive (Ranelli et al, 2015; Thangavelu & Raji, 2016), negative (Bueno de Mesquita et al, 2018), and neutral (Huo et al, 2021; Seerangan & Thangavelu, 2014). In a recent review of microbial interactions in soils, Albornoz et al (2022) found that competition or facilitation among microbial groups largely depends on their mechanisms for carbon and nutrient acquisition.…”

Selection of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi for sugarcane in four soils with the presence of dark septate endophytes

“…However, the research is recent, and a more thorough understanding of the functionality of t his fungal group is still needed. Their coexistence with AMF has been reported in several plant groups (Nagaraj, Priyadharsini, & Muthukumar, 2015;Gucwa-Przepióra, Chmura, & Sokołowska, 2016;Thangavelu & Raji, 2016). Among the few studies on DSE in sugarcane, Nasim, Ali, Munawar, and Bajwa (2008) reported that 80% of the root samples were colonized by the DSE, suggesting that DSE have a role in the biocontrol of sugarcane diseases.…”

“…Acta Scientiarum. Agronomy, v. 42, e42477, 2020 Several researchers have reported the simultaneous colonization of AMF and DSE in different plant species (Gucwa-Przepióra et al, 2016;Thangavelu & Raji, 2016). However, the functioning and importance of the triple interaction "DSE: AMF: plants" is not commonly studied; therefore, it is not fully understood (Debnath et al, 2015;Della Monica, Saparrat, Godeas, & Scervino, 2015).…”

Diversity of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi and root colonization in Polygonatum verticillatum

“…Most medicinal plants' roots and agronomic and vegetable crops exhibit endomycorrhizal association (Gaur and Kaushik 2011). Thangavelu and Raji (2016) Rhizophagus irregularis exhibited maximum AMF root colonization (43 ± 1.00%) in Ashwagandha, followed by Claroideoglomus claroideum (34 ± 4.33%). Root colonization by R. irregularis was greatest in marigolds (73 ± 2.88%).…”