Showing their mettle: extraradical mycelia of arbuscular mycorrhizae form a metal filter to improve host Al tolerance and P nutrition.

BACKGROUND: New evidence has shown that arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi can contribute to the aluminum (Al3+ ) tolerance of host plants growing in acidic soils with phytotoxic levels of Al3+ . The aim of this study was to investigate the role of AM fungi isolated from naturally occurring Al3+ acidic soils in conferring host tolerance to Al3+ toxicity in three wheat cultivars differing in Al3+ sensitivity. The experiment was conducted in a soilless substrate (vermiculite/perlite, 2:1 v/v) using two Al3+ -tolerant wheat genotypes and one Al3+ -sensitive wheat genotype. The wheat was colonized with a consortium of AM fungi isolated from an Andisol, with or without Al3+ at a concentration of 200 µmol L-1 . RESULTS: The response of wheat to Al3+ in the medium was dependent on both the plant genotype and AM colonization. The benefits of the AM fungi to the wheat cultivars included an increased P concentration and relatively low Al3+ accumulation in the plants. This was achieved through two mechanisms. First, the metal-chelating capacity of the AM fungi was clear in two of the cultivars ('Tukan' and 'Porfiado'), in which the enhanced extraradical mycelium development was able to retain Al3+ in the glomalin and hyphae. Second, the increased AM-induced acid phosphatase activity in the rhizosphere of the other cultivar ('Atlas 66') increased host nutrition possibly by hyphae-mediated nutrient uptake and glomalin-related soil protein. CONCLUSION: The results suggest that the role of AM fungi in cultivar-specific Al3+ detoxification can be achieved by increased extraradical mycelial filters and enhanced bioavailability of P in the host rhizosphere. © 2019 Society of Chemical Industry.

Microbial inoculants and organic amendment improves plant establishment and soil rehabilitation under semiarid conditions.

The re-establishment of autochthonous shrub species is an essential strategy for recovering degraded soils under semiarid Mediterranean conditions. A field assay was carried out to determine the combined effects of the inoculation with native rhizobacteria (Bacillus megaterium, Enterobacter sp, Bacillus thuringiensis and Bacillus sp) and the addition of composted sugar beet (SB) residue on physicochemical soil properties and Lavandula dentata L. establishment. One year after planting, Bacillus sp. and B. megaterium + SB were the most effective treatments for increasing shoot dry biomass (by 5-fold with respect to control) and Enterobacter sp + SB was the most effective treatments for increasing dry root biomass. All the treatments evaluated significantly increased the foliar nutrient content (NPK) compared to control values (except B. thuringiensis + SB). The organic amendment had significantly increased available phosphorus content in rhizosphere soil by 29% respect to the control. Enterobacter sp combined with sugar beet residue improved total N content in soil (by 46% respect to the control) as well as microbiological and biochemical properties. The selection of the most efficient rhizobacteria strains and their combined effect with organic residue seems to be a critical point that drives the effectiveness of using these biotechnological tools for the revegetation and rehabilitation of degraded soils under semiarid conditions.

Enhancement of clover growth by inoculation of P-solubilizing fungi and arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi

This study evaluated the synergism between several P-solubilizing fungi isolates and arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi to improve clover ( Trifolium pratense) growth in the presence of Araxá apatite. Clover was sown directly in plastic pots with 300g of sterilized washed sand, vermiculite and sepiolite 1:1:1 (v:v:v) as substrate, and grown in a controlled environment chamber. The substrate was fertilized with 3 g L-1 of Araxá apatite. A completely randomized design, in 8×2 factorial scheme (eight P-solubilizing fungi treatments with or without arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi)and four replicates were used. The P-solubilizing fungi treatments consisted of five Brazilian P-solubilizing fungi isolates (PSF 7, 9, 20, 21 and 22), two Spanish isolates ( Aspergillus niger and the yeast Yarowia lipolytica) and control (non-inoculated treatment). The greatest clover growth rate was recorded when Aspergillus niger and PSF 21 were co-inoculated with arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi. Aspergillus niger, PSF 7 and PSF 21 were the most effective isolates on increasing clover growth in the presence of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi. Greater mycorrhizal colonization resulted in greater clover growth rate in most PSF treatments. PSF 7 was the best isolate to improve the establishment of mycorrhizal and rhizobia symbiosis.

Este estudo avaliou o sinergismo entre diversos isolados defungos solubilizadores de fosfato e micorrízicos arbusculares para beneficiar o crescimento de trevo ( Trifolium pratense) na presença de apatita de Araxá. A cultura foi semeada diretamente em potes plásticos com 300 g de substrato esterilizado formado por areia lavada, vermiculita e sepiolita 1:1:1 (v:v:v) e cultivada em câmara climática. O substrato foi fertilizado com 3 g L-1 de apatita de Araxá. O experimento foi instalado em delineamento completamente casualizado, esquema fatorial 8×2 (oito tratamentos de inoculação de fungos solubilizadores de fosfato com ou sem fungos micorrízicos arbusculares) e quatro repetições. Os tratamentos de fungos solubilizadores de fosfato consistiram em cinco isolados brasileiros de fungos solubilizadores de fosfato (FSF 7, 9, 20, 21 e 22), dois isolados procedentes da Espanha ( Aspergillus niger e a levedura Yarowia lipolytica) e o controle (tratamento não inoculado). A maior taxa de crescimento da cultura foi obtida quando Aspergillus niger e FSF 21 foram co-inoculados com fungos micorrízicos arbusculares. Aspergillus niger, FSF 7 e o FSF 21 foram os isolados mais efetivos para incrementar o crescimento de trevo na presença de fungos micorrízicosarbusculares. A maior taxa de colonização micorrízica resultou em alta taxa de crescimento de trevo na maioria dos tratamentos com fungos solubilizadores de fosfato. O isolado FSF 7 foi o melhor para favorecer o estabelecimento das simbioses com fungos micorrízicos e com rizóbio.

Enhancement of clover growth by inoculation of P-solubilizing fungi and arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi.

This study evaluated the synergism between several P-solubilizing fungi isolates and arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi to improve clover ( Trifolium pratense) growth in the presence of Araxá apatite. Clover was sown directly in plastic pots with 300g of sterilized washed sand, vermiculite and sepiolite 1:1:1 (v:v:v) as substrate, and grown in a controlled environment chamber. The substrate was fertilized with 3 g L(-1) of Araxá apatite. A completely randomized design, in 8×2 factorial scheme (eight P-solubilizing fungi treatments with or without arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi)and four replicates were used. The P-solubilizing fungi treatments consisted of five Brazilian P-solubilizing fungi isolates (PSF 7, 9, 20, 21 and 22), two Spanish isolates ( Aspergillus niger and the yeast Yarowia lipolytica) and control (non-inoculated treatment). The greatest clover growth rate was recorded when Aspergillus niger and PSF 21 were co-inoculated with arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi. Aspergillus niger, PSF 7 and PSF 21 were the most effective isolates on increasing clover growth in the presence of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi. Greater mycorrhizal colonization resulted in greater clover growth rate in most PSF treatments. PSF 7 was the best isolate to improve the establishment of mycorrhizal and rhizobia symbiosis.

Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi increased growth, nutrient uptake and tolerance to salinity in olive trees under nursery conditions.

Inoculating olive plantlets with the arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) Glomus mosseae, Glomus intraradices or Glomus claroideum increased plant growth and the ability to acquire nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium from non-saline as well as saline media. AMF-colonized plants also increased in survival rate after transplant. Osmotic stress caused by NaCl supply reduced stem diameter, number of shoots, shoot length and nutrients in olive plants, but AMF colonization alleviated all of these negative effects on growth. G. mosseae was the most efficient fungus in reducing the detrimental effects of salinity; it increased shoot growth by 163% and root growth by 295% in the non-saline medium, and by 239% (shoot) and by 468% (root) under the saline conditions. AMF colonization enhanced salt tolerance in terms of olive growth and nutrient acquisition. Mycorrhizal olive plants showed the lowest biomass reduction under salinity (34%), while growth was reduced by 78% in control plants. This G. mosseae effect seems to be due to increased K acquisition; K content was enhanced under salt conditions by 6.4-fold with G. mosseae, 3.4-fold with G. intraradices, and 3.7-fold with G. claroideum. Potassium, as the most prominent inorganic solute, plays a key role in the osmoregulation processes and the highest salinity tolerance of G. mosseae-colonized olive trees was concomitant with an enhanced K concentration in olive plants.

Communities of P-solubilizing bacteria, fungi and arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi in grass pasture and secondary forest of Paraty, RJ--Brazil.

Communities of P-solubilizing bacteria, fungi and arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi, were evaluated in two different ecosystems. Samplings taken from two areas of Atlantic forest, in Paraty-RJ, Brazil, one with a secondary forest and the other with a grass pasture were studied. Four growth media: GL (glucose and yeast extract), GES (glucose, soil extract, KNO3, CaCl2, MgSO4, NaCl, FeEDTA and micronutrients solution), GAGES (glucose, soil extract, arabinose, glycerol, CaCl2, MgSO4 and NaCl) and GELP (glucose, soil extract, yeast extract, peptone, CaCl2, MgSO4 and NaCl) were evaluated for the isolation of P-solubilizing microorganisms. The identification of P-solubilizing bacteria was based on 16 S rDNA sequence analysis, while the identification of P-solubilizing fungi and arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi was based on morphology. The greatest number of P-solubilizing bacteria was isolated using GL and GELP growth media. The greatest number of P-solubilizing fungi was isolated using GAGES and GES. The bacteria were identified as Enterobacteriaceae and Bacillus sp., while the P-solubilizing fungi were identified as Aspergillus sp. Glomus macrocarpum and Glomus etunicatum were the dominant mycorrhizal fungi in the secondary forest and grass pasture area, respectively.

Communities of P-solubilizing bacteria, fungi and arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi in grass pasture and secondary forest of Paraty, RJ - Brazil

Avaliaram-se as comunidades de bactérias, fungos solubilizadores de fosfato e fungos micorrízicos arbusculares em dois diferentes ecossistemas. Foram feitas amostragens em duas áreas de Mata Atlântica, em Paraty - RJ, Brasil, uma de floresta secundária e outra de pastagem. Foram avaliados quatro meios de cultura: GL (glicose e extrato de levedura), GES (glicose, extrato de solo, KNO3, CaCl2, MgSO4, NaCl, FeEDTA solução de micronutrientes), GAGES (glicose, extrato de solo, arabinose, glicerol, CaCl2, MgSO4 e NaCl) e GELP (glicose, extrato de solo, extrato de levedura, peptona, CaCl2, MgSO4 e NaCl) para isolamento de microrganismos solubilizadores de fosfato. A identificação das bactérias solubilizadoras foi baseada na análise do 16 S rDNA, enquanto que os fungos solubilizadores e os micorrízicos arbusculares foram identificados pela sua morfologia. O maior número de bactérias solubilizadoras foi obtido usando os meios GL e GELP. O maior número de fungos solubilizadores foi obtido com os meios GAGES e GES. As bactérias solubilizadoras foram identificadas como Enterobacteriaceae e Bacillus sp., e os fungos como Aspergillus sp. Glomus macrocarpum e Glomus etunicatum foram as espécies de fungos micorrízicos dominantes nas áreas de floresta secundária e pastagem, respectivamente.

Identification of a cDNA from the arbuscular mycorrhizal fungus Glomus intraradices that is expressed during mycorrhizal symbiosis and up-regulated by N fertilization.

A cDNA library was constructed with RNA from Glomus intraradices-colonized lettuce roots and used for differential screening. This allowed the identification of a cDNA (Gi-1) that was expressed only in mycorrhizal roots and was of fungal origin. The function of the gene product is unknown, because Gi-1 contained a complete open reading frame that was predicted to encode a protein of 157 amino acids which only showed little homology with glutamine synthetase from Helicobacter pylori. The time-course analysis of gene expression during the fungal life cycle showed that Gi-1 was expressed only during the mycorrhizal symbiosis and was not detected in dormant or germinating spores of G. intraradices. P fertilization did not significantly change the pattern of Gi-1 expression compared with that in the unfertilized treatment, whereas N fertilization (alone or in combination with P) considerably enhanced the Gi-1 transcript accumulation. This increase in gene expression correlated with plant N status and growth under such conditions. The possible role of the Gi-1 gene product in intermediary N metabolism of arbuscular mycorrhizal symbiosis is further discussed.