Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi and Soil Aggregation

Abstract

Soil aggregation is governed by several biotic and abiotic components including landuse management. Aggregation is essential to maintain soil physical properties and facilitate biogeochemical cycling. Hyphae of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) are considered to be primary soil aggregators and there is a positively correlation between AMF hyphae and aggregate stability in natural systems. Recent evidence suggests that glomalin (GRSP), a glycoprotein produced by AMF hyphae which has a cementing capacity to maintain soil particles together, is mainly involved in such aggregation. However, recently controversial results together with reported shortcoming in glomalin determinat suggest to proceed with caution when studying glomalin in connection with soil aggregation. Relationships between glomalin and soil aggregates found in Chilean soils are discussed.10 Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi, Borie et al.Palabras Claves: Hongos micorrícicos, agregados de suelo, glomalina. RESUMENLa agregación de suelo es gobernada por una serie de factores bióticos y abióticos incluyendo el manejo del suelo. La agregación es fundamental para mantener las propiedades físicas del suelo y facilitar los ciclos biogeoquímicos. Las hifas de los hongos formadores de micorrizas arbusculares (MA) son consideradas como importantes agentes aglutinadores de partículas del suelo y se han descrito correlaciones positivas entre hifas de hongos MA y estabilidad de agregados en sistemas naturales. Recientemente existen evidencias que sugieren que la glomalina (GRSP), una glicoproteína producida en gran cantidad por las hifas de los hongos MA y que tiene una capacidad cementante de las partículas de suelo, está fuertemente involucrada en dicha agregación. Sin embargo, resultados contradictorios obtenidos recientemente junto con problemas reportadas en la determinación de glomalina sugieren proceder con cautela cuando se relaciona la glomalina con respecto a la agregación del suelo. Se discuten interrelaciones encontradas en suelos chilenos entre glomalina y agregados del suelo.

Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungus in microbial activity and aggregation of a Cerrado Oxisol in crop sequence

“…The bigger and more preserved microbial biomass in non-sterilized soil presents distinct functional characteristics and plays an essential role in soil aggregation (Six et al, 2004), as presented our results. Among soil microorganisms, AMF are the most important aggregation mediators, since they are the dominant component of the microbial biomass (Rillig, Steinberg, 2002;Borie, Rubio;Morales, 2008). We confirmed this affirmative in our study through outcomes presented and the positive and significant correlation between Cmic with MGD (r = 0.92, p<0.01) and MWD (r = 0.73, p<0.01).…”

Impacts of Fertilization Regimes on Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungal (AMF) Community Composition Were Correlated with Organic Matter Composition in Maize Rhizosphere Soil

“…In spite of the fact that many articles have reported that the application of organic manures had negative impacts on AMF diversity (Sainz et al, 1998; Jacquot et al, 2000; Gryndler et al, 2008), several other studies have highlighted the positive influence of organic manure application on AMF population and diversity (Douds and Reider, 2003; Borie et al, 2008). Further, Albertsen et al (2006) reported that AMF in general seemed to thrive in soil amended with organic matter.…”

Exclosures restored the density and root colonization of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi in Tigray, Northern Ethiopia

“…Spore density in undisturbed natural environment is higher than disturbed sites (Chanie and Assefa 2013;Muleta et al 2008). AMF plays a role in the formation of stable soil aggregates, building up a macroporous structure of soil that allows penetration of water and air and prevents erosion (Rillig 2004;Borie et al 2008;Aggarwal et al 2011); therefore, the application of AMF is of interest for the reclamation and revegetation of degraded lands (Miller and Jastrow 1992).…”