Dynamics of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi in relation to root colonization, spore density, and soil properties among different spreading stages of the exotic plant threeflower beggarweed (Desmodium triflorum) in aZoysia tenuifolialawn

Abstract

Weed invasion is a prevailing problem in modestly managed lawns. Less attention has been given to the exploration of the role of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) under different invasion pressures from lawn weeds. We conducted a four-season investigation into a Zoysia tenuifolia Willd. ex Thiele (native turfgrass)–threeflower beggarweed [Desmodium triflorum (L.) DC.] (invasive weed) co-occurring lawn. The root mycorrhizal colonizations of the two plants, the soil AM fungal communities and the spore densities under five different coverage levels of D. triflorum were investigated. Desmodium triflorum showed significantly higher root hyphal and vesicular colonizations than those of Z. tenuifolia, while the root colonizations of both species varied significantly among seasons. The increased coverage of D. triflorum resulted in the following effects: (1) the spore density initially correlated with mycorrhizal colonizations of Z. tenuifolia but gradually correlated with those of D. triflorum. (2) Correlations among soil properties, spore densities, and mycorrhizal colonizations were more pronounced in the higher coverage levels. (3) Soil AMF community compositions and relative abundances of AMF operational taxonomic units changed markedly in response to the increased invasion pressure. The results provide strong evidence that D. triflorum possessed a more intense AMF infection than Z. tenuifolia, thus giving rise to the altered host contributions to sporulation, soil AMF communities, relations of soil properties, spore densities, and root colonizations of the two plants, all of which are pivotal for the successful invasion of D. triflorum in lawns.

Degradation of mycorrhizal fungal communities associated with cork oak and understory vegetation by the anthropogenic factors

“…The low spore density could be due to the season of soil sampling, which was winter when all the climatic conditions are unfavourable, especially precipitation. The results of this study are also in agreement with the findings of Han et al (2019), which showed that the fungal spore density was low in spring, increased in summer, reached its highest level in autumn and then decreased in winter. The AMF frequency is based on seasonal changes and host metabolic pathway (Yang et al 2018).…”

Sludge amendment accelerating reclamation process of reconstructed mining substrates

“…Other plants invaded the experimental site during the long-term planting process which could affect ryegrass and AMF in the substrates. Secondly, correlations among soil properties, spore densities, and mycorrhizal colonisations were more pronounced in the higher coverage levels 35 . Although annual ryegrass seeds were broadcasted at 20–30 g m −2 , the actual coverage level was not reached the seeding density.…”

“…In addition to sludge, there are some factors that may affect the growth of AMF in our research. Firstly, weed invasion is a prevailing problem in modestly managed lawns 35 . Other plants invaded the experimental site during the long-term planting process which could affect ryegrass and AMF in the substrates.…”

Dry-Season Soil and Co-Cultivated Host Plants Enhanced Propagation of Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungal Spores from Sand Dune Vegetation in Trap Culture

“…Additionally, the co-cultivation of maize and sorghum generated interspecific competition between the host plants. This might have induced AMF sporulation in the pots since the density of AMF spores below ground is consistent with the intensity of interspecific competition among invasive and native plants above ground [ 64 ].…”