Fungal root endophyte associations of plants endemic to the Pamir Alay Mountains of Central Asia

The fungal root endophyte associations of 16 species from 12 families of plants endemic to the Pamir Alay Mountains of Central Asia are presented. The plants and soil samples were collected in Zeravshan and Hissar ranges within the central Pamir Alay mountain system. Colonization by arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) was found in 15 plant species; in 8 species it was of the Arum type and in 4 of the Paris type, while 3 taxa revealed intermediate arbuscular mycorrhiza (AM) morphology. AMF colonization was found to be absent only in Matthiola integrifolia, the representative of the Brassicaceae family. The AM status and morphology are reported for the first time for all the species analyzed and for the genera Asyneuma, Clementsia, and Eremostachys. Mycelia of dark septate endophytes (DSE) accompanied the AMF colonization in ten plant species. The frequency of DSE occurrence in the roots was low in all the plants, with the exception of Spiraea baldschuanica. However, in the case of both low and higher occurrence, the percentage of DSE root colonization was low. Moreover, the sporangia of Olpidium spp. were sporadically found inside the root epidermal cells of three plant species. Seven AMF species (Glomeromycota) found in the trap cultures established with soils surrounding roots of the plants being studied were reported for the first time from this region of Asia. Our results provide information that might well be of use to the conservation and restoration programmes of these valuable plant species. The potential application of beneficial root-inhabiting fungi in active plant protection projects of rare, endemic and endangered plants is discussed

Dark Septate Endophytic Fungi (DSE) Response to Global Change and Soil Contamination

As a consequence of global change, distribution of species and interaction between organisms are altered. Organisms share their environment with hundreds of species, some of them displaying pathogenic, neutral, or benefic behavior.Due to the adapting ability of organisms to live in diverse natural scenarios, theypresent a wide array of responses to climate change and soil contamination. Somebiological interactions, like plant?insect subjected to diverse environmental conditions, have been moderately well explained. However, plant?fungus associationshave received less attention, particularly plant?dark septate endophytic fungi (DSE)relationship. Since DSE may reduce plant infection by pathogens, increase nutrientuptake, and reduce the detrimental effects of stressful environments allowing plantto establish in adverse environments, changes in plant?DSE interactions could haveimportant consequences for ecosystem function. In this chapter, we summarize current knowledge on how global change, including anthropic contamination, global warming, concentration of CO2 in the atmosphere, and drought or heavy rainfallevents, affects plant?DSE interactions. Understanding the specific responses ofDSE will allow us to focus on possible lines of research that in a near future willhelp to develop tolerance to climate change.Fil: Spagnoletti, Federico Nicolás. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Parque Centenario. Instituto de Investigaciones en Biociencias Agrícolas y Ambientales. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Agronomía. Instituto de Investigaciones en Biociencias Agrícolas y Ambientales; ArgentinaFil: Giacometti, Romina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Parque Centenario. Instituto de Investigaciones en Biociencias Agrícolas y Ambientales. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Agronomía. Instituto de Investigaciones en Biociencias Agrícolas y Ambientales; Argentin