Native arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) from mountain grassland (Cordoba, Argentina) I. Seasonal variation of fungal spore diversity.

ABSTRACT

Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) were studied in the rhizosphere of 3 Poaceae with metabolic pathway C(3) (Briza subaristata Lam., Deyeuxia hieronymi (Hack.) Türpe and Poa stuckertii (Hack.) Parodi), 2 Poaceae with C(4) metabolic type (Eragrostis lugens Nees and Sorghastrum pellitum (Hack.) Parodi.), and a Rosaceae (Alchemilla pinnata Ruíz & Pav.) from a natural mountain grassland in Central Argentina (South America). Host species, their metabolic type, seasonal changes, and grazing effects over AM fungal diversity were analyzed. Seventeen mycorrhizal fungi taxa were found, widespread in all families of Glomales. Density of endomycorrhizal fungi was found to be strongly influenced with seasons and host metabolic pathway, although biodiversity (H), richness (S) and evenness (E) did not change. In most cases grazing did not affect these variables.