Seasonality and host preference of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi of five plant species in the inner Mongolia steppe, China

Abstract

The seasonal change and host preference of arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) colonization and community composition of five common plant species Agropyron cristatum, Anemarrhena asphodeloides, Cleistogenes squarrosa, Leymus chinensis, and Stipa grandis in the Inner Mongolia steppe were investigated. The AM root length colonization rates were different among the five plant species and were generally high in early (May and June) and late (September) growth seasons and low in August. A total of 18 AM fungal species representing five genera were isolated from rhizosphere soils of the five plant species, and most AM fungi had not host specificity, except that Acaulospora sp., Glomus constrictum, G. diaphanum and Glomus sp. showed a certain degree of host preference. Glomus albidum, G. etunicatum and G. geosporum were the dominant species and showed various sporulation patterns in the five plants during the growth seasons. The AM fungal spore densities and species richness increased from May to September and decreased in October and were different in the same month in the five plants. Multivariate analyses revealed that season and host significantly co-affected the AM fungal spore density, species richness, and Shannon-Wiener diversity index, and the season had higher influence than the host.

Diverse Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi (AMF) Communities Colonize Plants Inhabiting a Constructed Wetland for Wastewater Treatment

“…Overall, species richness and diversity indexes were higher for C. indica than for C. flaccida and W. borbonica, the latter having a low prevalence in CW over time, which was reflected in the composition and low diversity of AMF's communities in these plants. Indeed, according to Su et al [39], the season and host plant are main factors influencing spore density, species richness, and diversity of AMF, since plants can regulate carbon allocation to roots, produce secondary metabolites, and change soil environmental conditions during different growth seasons. The morphology of the root system may also justify differences in AMF communities among plants [40].…”

Seasonal Diversity of Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi in Mangroves of Goa, India

“…Multivariate analysis revealed that seasons and host coaffected AM fungal spore density and species richness, and [9]. Beside seasons other factors such as disturbance [43], sporulation efficiency [44], and dormancy [45] are known to affect the abundance of AM fungal species.…”

“…To understand the ecology and function of plant-fungus associations in natural ecosystems, it is necessary to clarify seasonal diversity of AM fungi, providing insight into the factors and processes regulating ecosystem development [9]. Studies on the occurrence and diversity of AM fungi from different mangrove plants have been documented [2,10].…”

Effect of conventional and organic orchard floor management practices on arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi in a ‘Cripp’s Pink’/M7 apple orchard soil

“…AM activity in steppe plant species varies with metabolic rate and nutrient demand, peaking during the active growth phase, early in the growing season, and again during the seed production stage (Su et al, 2011). If AM activity in irrigated apple orchards is also linked with metabolic rate and nutrient demand, then the higher apple root colonization rates observed in summer, compared with spring (Table 3), was probably ascribable to the high mid to late summer energy demand associated with the maturation of the apple crop.…”