Arbuscular mycorrhizal symbioses alleviating salt stress in maize is associated with a decline in root-to-leaf gradient of Na+/K+ ratio.

BACKGROUND: Inoculation of arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi has the potential to alleviate salt stress in host plants through the mitigation of ionic imbalance. However, inoculation effects vary, and the underlying mechanisms remain unclear. Two maize genotypes (JD52, salt-tolerant with large root system, and FSY1, salt-sensitive with small root system) inoculated with or without AM fungus Funneliformis mosseae were grown in pots containing soil amended with 0 or 100 mM NaCl (incrementally added 32 days after sowing, DAS) in a greenhouse. Plants were assessed 59 DAS for plant growth, tissue Na+ and K+ contents, the expression of plant transporter genes responsible for Na+ and/or K+ uptake, translocation or compartmentation, and chloroplast ultrastructure alterations. RESULTS: Under 100 mM NaCl, AM plants of both genotypes grew better with denser root systems than non-AM plants. Relative to non-AM plants, the accumulation of Na+ and K+ was decreased in AM plant shoots but increased in AM roots with a decrease in the shoot: root Na+ ratio particularly in FSY1, accompanied by differential regulation of ion transporter genes (i.e., ZmSOS1, ZmHKT1, and ZmNHX). This induced a relatively higher Na+ efflux (recirculating) rate than K+ in AM shoots while the converse outcoming (higher Na+ influx rate than K+) in AM roots. The higher K+: Na+ ratio in AM shoots contributed to the maintenance of structural and functional integrity of chloroplasts in mesophyll cells. CONCLUSION: AM symbiosis improved maize salt tolerance by accelerating Na+ shoot-to-root translocation rate and mediating Na+/K+ distribution between shoots and roots.

Indirect interactions between arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi and Spodoptera exigua alter photosynthesis and plant endogenous hormones.

Peanut (Arachis hypogaea Linn. cv: Luhua 11) and tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill. cv: Zhongshu 4) were inoculated with arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) Funneliformis mosseae BEG167 (Fm), Rhizophagus intraradices BEG141 (Ri), and Glomus versiforme Berch (Gv), and/or Spodoptera exigua (S. exigua) under greenhouse conditions. Results indicated that feeding by S. exigua had little influence on colonization of peanut plants by AMF, but improved colonization of tomato by Fm and Gv. Feeding by S. exigua had little influence on leaf net photosynthetic rate, transpiration rate, and stomatal conductance of nonmycorrhizal peanut plants but significantly improved net photosynthetic rate and transpiration rate of mycorrhizal plants of both hosts. AMF with or without S. exigua inoculation improved host plant photosynthetic characteristics, growth, and hormone status. Fm showed maximum beneficial effects, followed by Gv. The concentrations and ratios of phytohormones abscisic acid (ABA), indole-3-acetic acid (IAA), gibberellin (GA), zeatin riboside (ZR), and jasmonic acid (JA) in the leaves of the host plants were changed due to the interaction between AMF and S. exigua. Generally, AMF with or without S. exigua inoculation increased the concentrations of GA, ZR, and JA and the ratios of IAA/ABA, GA/ABA, ZR/ABA, and IAA + GA + ZR/ABA, while feeding by S. exigua on nonmycorrhizal plants showed the opposite effect. The concentration of JA in the leaves of peanut and tomato inoculated with Fm or Fm + S. exigua was 1.9 and 1.9 times and 2.5 and 2.7 times, respectively, greater than that of the controls inoculated with neither. There was a negative correlation between the JA concentration and the survival percentage of S. exigua larva. We conclude that indirect interactions between AMF and insect herbivores changed the photosynthetic and hormone characteristics, and ratios of phytohormones, thereby revealing mechanisms of belowground-aboveground interactions.

Suppression of the root-knot nematode [Meloidogyne incognita (Kofoid & White) Chitwood] on tomato by dual inoculation with arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi and plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria.

Arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi and plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) have potential for the biocontrol of soil-borne diseases. The objectives of this study were to quantify the interactions between AM fungi [Glomus versiforme (Karsten) Berch and Glomus mosseae (Nicol. & Gerd.) Gerdemann & Trappe] and PGPR [Bacillus polymyxa (Prazmowski) Mace and Bacillus sp.] during colonization of roots and rhizosphere of tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill) plants (cultivar Jinguan), and to determine their combined effects on the root-knot nematode, Meloidogyne incognita, and on tomato growth. Three greenhouse experiments were conducted. PGPR increased colonization of roots by AM fungi, and AM fungi increased numbers of PGPR in the rhizosphere. Dual inoculations of AM fungi plus PGPR provided greater control of M. incognita and greater promotion of plant growth than single inoculations, and the best combination was G. mosseae plus Bacillus sp. The results indicate that specific AM fungi and PGPR can stimulate each other and that specific combinations of AM fungi and PGPR can interact to suppress M. incognita and disease development.

Study of the microstructure of chitosan aerogel beads prepared by supercritical CO2 drying and the effect of long-term storage.

In order to investigate the pore properties and effect of storage time on the microstructure of CO2-dried aerogels, chitosan aerogel beads were obtained from chitosan hydrogels with an initial concentration in the range of 1.5-3.0 wt% through SCCO2 drying and freeze-drying (as a comparison). The SCCO2-dried chitosan aerogels showed a three-dimensional network structure, and had higher BET surface area (200 m2 g-1) and higher crystallinity (0.62/XRD, 0.80/ATR-FTIR) than the freeze-dried aerogels. The stability of the microstructure of the SCCO2-dried chitosan aerogel beads during 10 months was studied. The BET surface area of the aerogel beads at each concentration declined by 30.5% at 2 months, 56.7% at 6 months and 67.2% at 10 months. Accelerated aging tests of the chitosan aerogel beads were carried out to study the effect of humidity on the chitosan aerogel beads. The average diameter of the chitosan aerogel decreased from 2.3 mm to 0.9 mm when stored at 65 °C with 90% relative humidity (RH). In contrast, there was no obvious change during storage at 65 °C with 20% RH. The amount of adsorbed water increased from 4% to 12% at 65 °C with 90% RH for 96 h, and the bound water content of the aerogel beads gradually increased. This study demonstrates that SCCO2-dried chitosan aerogel beads could be better at maintaining their mesoporous structure, and the adsorption of water from the surrounding air had a significant effect on the microstructure and shrinkage of the chitosan aerogel beads.

Polyethyleneimine-assisted co-deposition of polydopamine coating with enhanced stability and efficient secondary modification.

The stability and grafting efficiency are important for polydopamine (pDA) coatings used as platforms for secondary grafting. In this work, polyethyleneimine (PEI) was co-deposited with dopamine on various materials (PP, PTFE and PVC), then immersed in a 1.0 M HCl solution or 1.0 M NaOH solution to investigate the detachment of the coatings using UV-vis spectroscopy, SEM, FTIR spectroscopy and XPS, and the effect of PEI molecular weight on the secondary grafting of heparin on the pDA/PEI coating was investigated through clotting time tests. The results showed that the detachment rates of the pDA/PEI coating (14.6%, 23.7%) co-deposited on PTFE in 1.0 M HCl or 1.0 M NaOH solutions were both lower than that of the pDA coating (35.0%, 74.6%), indicating that pDA/PEI coatings could better remain on substrates in a 1.0 M NaOH solution. Besides, pDA/PEI coatings on a PP membrane with both a higher deposition density and stability could be obtained when the mass ratio of DA/PEI was 2 : 1-1 : 1 and PEI molecular weight was 600 Da. After grafting heparin, it was found that the pDA/PEI coating with lower molecular weight (600 Da and 1800 Da) PEI could achieve a higher grafting density of heparin with a longer clotting time. Thus, the results provided better understanding about the stability of pDA/PEI coatings and efficiency of heparin grafting.

Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi Alleviate Low Phosphorus Stress in Maize Genotypes with Contrasting Root Systems.

Soil available phosphorus (P) is one of the main factors limiting plant growth and yield. This study aimed to determine the role of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) in P-use efficiency in two maize genotypes with contrasting root systems in response to low P stress. Maize genotypes small-rooted Shengrui 999 and large-rooted Zhongke 11 were grown in rhizoboxes that were inoculated with or without AMF (Funneliformis mosseae) under low P (no added P) or optimal P (200 mg kg-1) for 53 days. Low P stress significantly inhibited shoot and root growth, photosynthesis, tissue P content, and root P concentration in both genotypes. Shengrui 999 was more tolerant to P stress with less reduction of these traits compared to Zhongke 11. Shengrui 999 had a higher AMF infection rate than Zhongke 11 at both P levels. Under P deficit, inoculation with AMF significantly promoted plant growth and P uptake in both genotypes with more profound effects seen in Zhongke 11, whilst Shengrui 999 was more dependent on AMF under optimal P. Low P stress inhibited the growth and physiological attributes of both genotypes. The small-rooted Shengrui 999 was more tolerant to low P than Zhongke 11. Inoculation with AMF alleviates low P stress in both genotypes with a more profound effect on Zhongke 11 at low P and on Shengrui 999 at high P conditions.

Diversity of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi in greenhouse soils continuously planted to watermelon in North China.

In North China, watermelon is grown in commercial greenhouses in a continuous monoculture and with high application rates of manure or compost. The aim of this study was to determine how the diversity of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) in these soils changed over long periods (0 to 20 years) of monoculture. AMF in control soils (from fields not replanted with watermelon and located near the greenhouses) and in greenhouses (in Daxing, Beijing, and Weifang, Shandong) that had been continuously replanted with watermelon for 5, 10, 15, or 20 years (three greenhouses per year per location) were identified and quantified based on spore morphology and on denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE). The total number of AMF species and genera were 13 and 3 in soils replanted for 5-20 years and 19 and 4 in control soils. AMF species richness (SR), the Shannon-Wiener index (H), and spore density declined as the number of years in which watermelon was replanted increased. The available phosphorus, potassium, and nitrogen in the soil increased as the number of years in which watermelon was replanted increased. Values for SR and H were higher when based on DGGE than on spore morphology. The results suggest that current greenhouse practices in North China reduce the AMF diversity in the soil.

Effects and Mechanisms of Symbiotic Microbial Combination Agents to Control Tomato Fusarium Crown and Root Rot Disease.

This study evaluated the effects and underlying mechanisms of different combinations of plant symbiotic microbes, comprising arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF), plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR), and Trichoderma spp., on tomato Fusarium crown and root rot (TFCRR) resistance. A total of 54 treatments were applied in a greenhouse pot experiment to tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) seedlings inoculated with or without Funneliformis mosseae (Fm), Rhizophagus intraradices (Ri), Trichoderma virens l40012 (Tv), Trichoderma harzianum l40015 (Th), Bacillus subtilis PS1-3 (Bs), Pseudomonas fluorescens PS2-6 (Pf), and Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. radicis-lycopersici (Fo). The symbioses on the tomato root system were well developed, and the composite symbiont generated by AMF + Trichoderma spp. was observed for the first time. Compared with other treatments, Ri + Bs + Tv and Fm + Pf + Tv stimulated the greatest improvements in tomato growth and yield. The combination Ri + Pf + Th + Fo resulted in the strongest biocontrol effects on TFCRR, followed by the treatments Th + Pf + Fo and Ri + Th + Fo. Compared with the Fo treatment, most inoculation treatments improved photosynthetic performance and significantly increased defense enzyme activity in tomato plants, of which the treatment Ri + Pf + Th + Fo showed the highest enzyme activity. Metabolome analysis detected changes in a total of 1,266 metabolites. The number of up-regulated metabolites in tomato plants inoculated with Ri + Pf + Th and Ri + Pf + Th + Fo exceeded that of the Fo treatment, whereas the number of down-regulated metabolites showed the opposite trend. It is concluded that AMF + Trichoderma + PGPR is the most effective combination to promote resistance to TFCRR in tomato. The up-regulation and down-regulation of metabolites regulated by symbiotic microbial genes may be an important mechanism by which root symbiotic microorganisms promote plant growth, increase yield, and improve disease resistance.

Pathogen Biocontrol Using Plant Growth-Promoting Bacteria (PGPR): Role of Bacterial Diversity.

A vast microbial community inhabits in the rhizosphere, among which, specialized bacteria known as Plant Growth-Promoting Rhizobacteria (PGPR) confer benefits to host plants including growth promotion and disease suppression. PGPR taxa vary in the ways whereby they curtail the negative effects of invading plant pathogens. However, a cumulative or synergistic effect does not always ensue when a bacterial consortium is used. In this review, we reassess the disease-suppressive mechanisms of PGPR and present explanations and illustrations for functional diversity and/or stability among PGPR taxa regarding these mechanisms. We also provide evidence of benefits when PGPR mixtures, rather than individuals, are used for protecting crops from various diseases, and underscore the critical determinant factors for successful use of PGPR mixtures. Then, we evaluate the challenges of and limitations to achieving the desired outcomes from strain/species-rich bacterial assemblages, particularly in relation to their role for plant disease management. In addition, towards locating additive or synergistic outcomes, we highlight why and how the benefits conferred need to be categorized and quantified when different strains/species of PGPR are used in combinations. Finally, we highlight the critical approaches needed for developing PGPR mixtures with improved efficacy and stability as biocontrols for utilization in agricultural fields.

Arbuscular Mycorrhizas Regulate Photosynthetic Capacity and Antioxidant Defense Systems to Mediate Salt Tolerance in Maize.

Salt stress inhibits photosynthetic process and triggers excessive formation of reactive oxygen species (ROS). This study examined the role of arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) association in regulating photosynthetic capacity and antioxidant activity in leaves of two maize genotypes (salt-tolerant JD52 and salt-sensitive FSY1) exposed to salt stress (100 mM NaCl) in soils for 21 days. The leaf water content, chlorophyll content, and photosynthetic capacity in non-mycorrhizal (NM) plants were decreased by salt stress, especially in FSY1, with less reduction in AM plants than NM plants. Salinity increased the activities of antioxidant enzymes (superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), ascorbate peroxidase (APX), and glutathione reductase (GR)) in both genotypes regardless of AM inoculation, but decreased the contents of non-enzymatic antioxidants (reduced glutathione (GSH) and ascorbate (AsA)), especially in FSY1, with less decrease in AM plants than NM plants. The AM plants, especially JD52, maintained higher photosynthetic capacity, CO2 fixation efficiency, and ability to preserve membrane integrity than NM plants under salt stress, as also indicated by the higher antioxidant contents and lower malondialdehyde (MDA)/electrolyte leakage in leaves. To conclude, the higher salt tolerance in AM plants correlates with the alleviation of salinity-induced oxidative stress and membrane damage, and the better performance of photosynthesis could have also contributed to this effect through reduced ROS formation. The greater improvements in photosynthetic processes and antioxidant defense systems by AM fungi in FSY1 than JD52 under salinity demonstrate genotypic variation in antioxidant defenses for mycorrhizal amelioration of salt stress.

[Characteristics of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungal diversity and functions in saline-alkali land].

Arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi, widely distributing in various terrestrial ecosys- tems, are one of the important functional biotic components in soil habitats and play a vital role in improving soil evolution, maintaining soil health and sustainable productivity. Saline-alkali soil is a special habitat affecting plant growth and grain yield. Under the influence of a series of factors, such as human activities on the nature, S and N deposition, ozone, greenhouse effect, climate anomalies, and alien species invasions etc., soil salinization, biodiversity and functions of saline farmlands may be greatly affected, which could consequently influence agricultural production and the sustainable development of ecosystems. Followed by an introduction of the changing characteristics of saline soil area and the secondary salinization under the background of global changes, the present review mainly discussed the changing features of diversity and functions of AM fungi in saline habitats, summarized the factors influencing AM fungal diversity and functions, and the factors' changing characters under the global changes, in order to provide new ideas and ways in further elucidating the position, role and function of AM fungi in saline soil, and in strengthening saline farmland remediation in response to global changes.

[Effects of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungus on the seedling growth of grafted watermelon and the defensive enzyme activities in the seedling roots].

A greenhouse pot experiment was conducted to study the effects of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungus Glomus versiforme on the seedling growth and root membrane permeability, malondiadehyde (MDA) content, and defensive enzyme activities of non-grafted and grafted watermelon growing on the continuously cropped soil. Inoculation with G. versiforme increased the seedling biomass and root activity significantly, and decreased the root membrane permeability and MDA content. The seedling shoot fresh mass, shoot dry mass, and root activity of non-grafted watermelon increased by 57.6%, 60.0% and 142.1%, and those of grafted watermelon increased by 26.7%, 28.0% and 11.0%, respectively, compared with no G. versiforme inoculation. The root membrane permeability of non-grafted seedlings (C), grafted seedlings (G), non-grafted seedlings inoculated with G. versiforme (C+M), and grafted seedlings inoculated with G. versiforme (G+M) was in the order of C >G>C+M>G+M, and the root MDA content was in the sequence of C>G>G+M>C+M. G. versiforme inoculation increased the root phenylalanine ammonialyase (PAL), catalase (CAT), peroxidase (POD), beta-1,3-glucanase and chitinase activities of grafted and non-grafted seedlings significantly, and the peaks of the POD, PAL and beta-1,3-glucanase activities in the mycorrhizal roots appeared about two weeks earlier than those in the non-inoculated roots. These results indicated that inoculating arbuscular mycorrhizal fungus G. versiforme could activate the defensive enzyme activities of non-grafted and grafted watermelon seedlings, enable the seedling roots to produce rapid response to adversity, and thus, improve the capability of watermelon seedling against continuous cropping obstacle.

[Diversity of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi in special habitats: a review].

Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) are one of the important components in ecosystems, which not only have the diversity in genetics, species composition, and function, but also have the diversity in distribution and habitat. AMF infect plant root, form mycorrhiza, and nourish as obligate biotroph symbiont, with strong ecological adaptability. They not only distribute in forest, prairie, and farm land, but also distribute in the special habitats with less plant species diversity, such as commercial greenhouse soil, saline-alkali soil, mining pollution land, petroleum-contaminated land, pesticide-polluted soil, desert, dry land, wetland, marsh, plateau, volcanic, cooler, and arctic tundra, composing a unique community structure and playing an important irreplaceable role in the physiological and ecological functions. This paper summarized the species diversity and mycorrhizal morphological features of AMF in special habitats, aimed to provide essential information for the further studies on the AMF in these special habitats and extreme environments.

[Structure and function of arbuscular mycorrhiza: a review].

Arbuscular mycorrhiza (AM) is one of the most widely distributed and the most important mutualistic symbionts in terrestrial ecosystems, playing a significant role in enhancing plant resistance to stresses, remediating polluted environments, and maintaining ecosystem stabilization and sustainable productivity. The structural characteristics of AM are the main indicators determining the mycorrhizal formation in root system, and have close relations to the mycorrhizal functions. This paper summarized the structural characteristics of arbuscules, vesicles, mycelia and invasion points of AM, and analyzed the relationships between the Arum (A) type arbuscules, Paris (P) type arbuscules, vesicles, and external mycelia and their functions in improving plant nutrient acquisition and growth, enhancing plant resistance to drought, waterlogging, salinity, high temperature, diseases, heavy metals toxicity, and promoting toxic organic substances decomposition and polluted and degraded soil remediation. The factors affecting the AM structure and functions as well as the action mechanisms of mycorrhizal functions were also discussed. This review would provide a basis for the systemic study of AM structural characteristics and functional mechanisms and for evaluating and screening efficient AM fungal species.

[Eco-physiological functions of mycorrhizal fungi].

Abstract: Mycorrhizal fungi are an important member of soil microorganisms, not only rich in genetic diversity and species diversity, but also in functional diversity, which mainly manifest in: 1) affecting the origin, evolution, and distribution of terrestrial plants, 2) promoting plant growth and development, 3) enhancing plant tolerance against environmental stress, 4) remedying polluted and degraded soils, 5) promoting agricultural, forestry, and animal husbandry production, and 6) maintaining ecological equilibrium and stabilizing ecosystem and its sustainable productivity. With the development of technique and research, more functions contributed by mycorrhizal fungi would be discovered.

[Colonization and community structural features of AM fungi in urban ecosystem: a review].

Arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi, an important component of soil microbes, are of significance in maintaining the sustainable development of urban ecosystem. This paper summarized the characteristics of the colonization and community structure of AM fungi in urban ecosystems, and discussed the effects of urban ecological factors, e.g., human activities, vegetation re-establishment and maintenance, and urban soil status, on the colonization and community structure. It was considered that the researches on the community structure and function of AM fungi in urban ecosystems, such as the effects and mechanisms of the key urban ecological factors (e.g., water resource shortage and heat island effect) on the alternation of AM fungal community structure should be strengthened in the future.

[Effects of agricultural practices on community structure of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi in agricultural ecosystem: a review].

Arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi are rich in diversity in agricultural ecosystem, playing a vital role based on their unique community structure. Host plants and environmental factors have important effects on AM fungal community structure, so do the agricultural practices which deserve to pay attention to. This paper summarized the research advances in the effects of agricultural practices such as irrigation, fertilization, crop rotation, intercropping, tillage, and pesticide application on AM fungal community structure, analyzed the related possible mechanisms, discussed the possible ways in improving AM fungal community structure in agricultural ecosystem, and put forward a set of countermeasures, i.e., improving fertilization system and related integrated techniques, increasing plant diversity in agricultural ecosystem, and inoculating AM fungi, to enhance the AM fungal diversity in agricultural ecosystem. The existing problems in current agricultural practices and further research directions were also proposed.

[Effects of different peony cultivars on community structure of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi in rhizosphere soil].

This paper studied the community structure of arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi in the rhizosphere soil of different peony (Paeonia suffruticosa) cultivars grown in Zhaolou Peony Garden of Heze in Shandong Province. A number of parameters describing this community structure, e. g., spore density, species- and genera composition, species richness, distribution frequency, species diversity indices, and Sorenson's similarity coefficient, were examined. The species- and genera composition, species richness, and distribution frequency of AM fungi in rhizosphere soil varied with planted peony cultivars. A total of 10 AM fungal species were isolated from the rhizosphere soil of cultivars 'Fengdan' and 'Zhaofen', 9 species from the rhizosphere soil of 'Wulong pengsheng' and 'Luoyang red', and 8 species from the rhizosphere soil of 'Hu red'. The spore density was the highest (59 per 50 g soil) in the rhizosphere soil of 'Fengdan', but the lowest (47 per 50 g soil) in the rhizosphere soil of 'Hu red'; the species diversity index was the highest (1.89) in the rhizosphere soil of 'Zhaofen', but the lowest (1.71) in the rhizosphere soil of 'Hu red'; and the mycorrhizal colonization rate was the highest (63.6%) in rhizosphere soil of 'Fengdan' and 'Hu red', but the lowest (52.7%) in the rhizosphere soil of 'Wulong pengsheng'. The Sorenson's similarity coefficient of AM fungal species composition in the rhizosphere soil among the test cultivars ranged from 0.71 to 0.95, being the highest between 'Wulong pengsheng' and 'Fengdan', and the lowest between 'Luoyang red' and 'Hu red'. It was concluded that the gene type of peony could change the community structure of AM fungi in rhizosphere soil.

[Research advances in species diversity of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi].

Arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi are one of the important components of biodiversity in ecosystems. They are rich in species diversity, genetic diversity, and function diversity. Their taxonomy position moved forward to phylum, and there are 214 species belonging to 19 genera, 13 families, 4 orders, and 1 class reported in the world. AM fungi play a vital role in keeping ecological balance and enhancing ecosystem sustainable productivity. This paper reviewed the research advances in the species diversity of AM fungi distributed globally, the key factors affecting this species diversity in various ecosystems, and related regulation pathways. It was considered that molecular biological techniques would be the main approaches in the future study of AM fungal species diversity.

[Effects of Dipterocarpaceae on arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi].

An investigation was carried out on the colonization percentage, spore density, relative abundance, occurrence frequency, and species richness of arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi on 4 species of Dipterocarpaceae trees grown both in natural forests in Yunnan and Hainan Provinces and in greenhouse pots. The results showed that all dipterocarp species were able to form AM, the colonization rates ranged from 30.6% to 45.3%, 37% on average. Hopea hainanensis (Dipterocarpacea) seedlings without AM fungal colonization were cultivated in pots with soil collected from Dipterocarpacea rhizosphere, and harvested a year later. The colonization rate of the seedlings ranged from 10.6% to 20.3%, 14.2% on average, indicating the significant effect of host plants on AM fungi frequency. The relative abundance of Glomu, Acaulospora and Gigaspora also varied with host plants. It was concluded that the dominant AM fungi in the rhizospheric soil of dipterocarp plants were Acaulospora spp. and Glomus spp. Using the same species of Dipterocarpacea as host plants might promote the growth and development of AM fungi, and increase the AM diversity.