Factors affecting arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi of Chilean temperate rainforests

Abstract

While arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi in Chile have been widely documented in agro-ecosystems, there is a knowledge gap regarding AM fungal diversity in Chilean temperate rainforests. AM fungal communities of these forests are affected by several factors: the mountain systems of Chile (Coastal Range or Andes Mountains), the mycorrhizal dominance of the forest (either ectomycorrhizal -EM-or AM), soil chemistry, and altitude. We tested the effects of mountain system, mycorrhizal dominance, soil chemistry, and altitude on AM fungal diversity. From 7,120 AM fungal spores recovered, we identified 14 species, that were found in 41 soil samples collected from 14 plots located in EM and AM forests of the Coastal Range and Andes Mountains of Southern Chile. Mountain system and mycorrhizal dominance affected AM fungal community composition, although neither fungal richness nor abundance were affected. Soil Olsen available P, Ca, Mg, and Na were the edaphic variables structuring AM fungal community composition. There was no relationship between altitude and AM fungal richness, however at high altitudes there was higher abundance. Finally, with this and other studies, a total of 59 AM fungal species, many of which were previously registered exclusively in agroecosystems, are registered on the Chilean AM fungal species list.

Patterns of root colonization by arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi and dark septate endophytes across a mostly-unvegetated, high-elevation landscape

“…Samples from even lower elevation intact tundra meadows on Niwot Ridge (3500 m elevation) have shown over 80% colonization in some samples, which further supports this trend (Schmidt et al, 2008). This could be due to a lack of inoculum at high elevations (but see Marín et al, 2017 for increases with elevation), which could be a function of low plant density or a negative effect of cold temperature on AMF (Lugo et al, 2008;Yang et al, 2016). Since DSE are common in arctic and alpine environments, can tolerate cold temperatures (Mullen et al, 1998), and have been found in abundance at over 5250 m a.s.l.…”

Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi Associated with Bamboo Under Cerrado Brazilian Vegetation

“…Root colonization rates of AMF have been shown to have no effect on AMF spore abundance or species richness in different studies (Aguilera et al 2017;Mafaziya and Madawala 2015;Marín et al 2017). Similarly, in our study, there was no relationship between AMF colonization rates and spore density (Fig.…”

Orchid Mycorrhizal Interactions on the Pacific Side of the Andes from Chile. A Review

“…Mycorrhizal interaction in Chilean ecosystems has focused on the study of arbuscular and ectomycorrhizal symbioses, contributing to the knowledge of functionality, distribution and presence in native flora, stress responses, and improvement of yield production of diverse agronomic species (Palfner 2001;Castillo et al 2006;Aguilera et al 2014;Aguilera et al 2015;Marín et al 2017). However, there are little studies analyzing the dynamic of mycorrhizal fungi in Chilean ecosystems, although recently, the number of published studies analyzing fungal associations, ecology, and germination of orchid seeds has increased (Table 1).…”