Glomus candidum, a new species of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi from North American grassland

ENGLISH A new species of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi, Glomus candidum is described. The species produces spores singly in the soil. Spores are white to very pale yellow, usually globose to subglobose, 87-157 μm diam. Spore wall consists of two adherent layers. The outer layer is hyaline, mucilaginous, and stains very pale pink in Melzer's reagent. This layer can be observed in young spores and often degrades at maturity. The inner layer is hyaline and laminated, but occasionally the innermost group of laminae are pigmented a pale yellow to give the impression of two separated layers. SPANISH Se describe una nueva especie de hongo formador de micorrizas arbusculares, Glomus candidum. La especie produce esporas libres en el suelo. Las esporas son blancas a amarillo muy pálido, usualmente globosas a subglobosas, 87-157 μm de diámetro. La pared de la espora consiste en dos capas adherentes. La capa externa a menudo se degrada con la madurez, es hialina, mucilaginosa, y se tiñe, sólo en las esporas jóvenes, de rosado muy pálido en reactivo de Melzer. La capa interna es hialina y laminada, pero a veces el grupo más interno de láminas aparece pigmentado de amarillo claro dando la impresión de dos capas separadas

Production of native arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi inoculum under different environmental conditions

AbstractIn order to obtain an arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) native inoculum from Sierra de Moa and determine the most appropriate conditions for its big scale production, four light and temperature combinations were tested in three plant species (Calophyllum antillanum, Talipariti elatum and Paspalum notatum). Growth and development parameters, as well as the mycorrhizal functioning of the seedlings were evaluated. The natural light treatment under high temperatures (L-H) was the most suitable for the growth and development of the three plant species, showing the highest total biomass values, mainly of root, and a positive root-shoot ratio balance. This treatment also promoted higher values of root mycorrhizal colonization, external mycelium and AMF spore density. A total of 38 AMF species were identified among the plants and environmental conditions tested. Archaeospora sp.1, Glomus sp.5, Glomus brohultii and G. glomerulatum were observed in all the treatments. The L-H condition can be recommended for native inoculum production, as it promotes a better expression of the AM symbiosis and an elevated production of mycorrhizal propagules

Soil–strain compatibility: the key to effective use of arbuscular mycorrhizal inoculants?

Consistency of response to arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) inoculation is required for efficient use of AM fungi in plant production. Here, we found that the response triggered in plants by an AM strain depends on the properties of the soil where it is introduced. Two data sets from 130 different experiments assessing the outcome of a total of 548 replicated single inoculation trials conducted either in soils with a history of (1) high input agriculture (HIA; 343 replicated trials) or (2) in more pristine soils from coffee plantations (CA; 205 replicated trials) were examined. Plant response to inoculation with different AM strains in CA soils planted with coffee was related to soil properties associated with soil types. The strains Glomus fasciculatum-like and Glomus etunicatum-like were particularly performant in soil relatively rich in nutrients and organic matter. Paraglomus occultum and Glomus mosseae-like performed best in relatively poor soils, and G. mosseae and Glomus manihotis did best in soils of medium fertility. Acaulospora scrobiculata, Diversispora spurca, G. mosseae-like, G. mosseae and P. occultum stimulated coffee growth best in Chromic, Eutric Alluvial Cambisol, G. fasciculatum-like and G. etunicatum-like in Calcaric Cambisol and G. manihotis, in Chromic, Eutric Cambisols. Acaulospora scrobiculata and Diversispora spurca strains performed best in Chromic Alisols and Rodic Ferralsols. There was no significant relationship between plant response to AM fungal strains and soil properties in the HIA soil data set, may be due to variation induced by the use of different host plant species and to modification of soil properties by a history of intensive production. Consideration of the performance of AM fungal strains in target soil environments may well be the key for efficient management of the AM symbiosis in plant production

Effect of combined inoculations of Rhizobium-Arbuscular Mycorrhiza in Leucaena leucocephala CV: Perú

The work was conducted at the Experimental Station of Soil and Fertilizer “Escambray” land of farmers and associated rural extension. The experimental design was randomized blocks, and treatments: Rizhobium loti V-4033 (Research Institute of Pastures and Forages), mycorrhizal fungi trainers, Rhizobium +mycorrhiza fungi trainers, nitrogen and total control. Inoculation with my corrhiza forming fungi was performed at 10 g/bag Certificate MicoFert Strain the Institute of Ecology and Systematics-3: Glomus spurcum, Topes de Collantes, 85 % colonization of rootlets, while the Rhizobium was inoculated in a dose of 50 g/kg of seed. Variant was nitrogen at 25 kg/ha of urea. The plots occupied 18m2 , with an area of 9 m2 evaluable. When the plants reached 7.5 months and an average height of 143.4 cm proceeded to make the Court of establishment and then four foliage cuts were made every 90 days. Each cut dry biomass yield, and phosphorus content was determined crude protein. The combined inoculation of Rhizobium and mycorrhiza fungi Makers increased the yield of dry biomass, and phosphorus content of crude protein. We conclude proposing the adoption of an alternative methodology using mycorrhiza formers Fungi and Rhizobium in Leucaena leucocephala as a way to increase the yield of dry biomass, decreasing mineral fertilization and contribute to environmental protectio

Functionality of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi in three plant communities in the Managed Floristic Reserve San Ubaldo-Sabanalamar, Cuba

En el presente estudio se evaluó, durante dos años, la influencia de los períodos seco y lluvioso sobre el funcionamiento de hongos formadores de micorrizas arbusculares (HFMA) simbiontes de plantas nativas de una sabana semi natural, una sabana recuperada de la actividad agrícola y un agroecosistema, ubicados en la Reserva Florística Manejada San Ubaldo-Sabanalamar, Pinar del Río, Cuba. Se recolectaron muestras de suelo en abril y octubre (período seco y húmedo de 2008 y 2010, respectivamente). Dentro de cada ecosistema se seleccionaron cuatro parcelas y se recolectaron cinco submuestras al azar, las que fueron homogeneizadas para formar una muestra compuesta por parcela. Se cuantificó la biomasa de raicillas, la colonización micorrízica de las plantas hospedadoras en el campo, el micelio extrarradical, el micelio endófito y la densidad de esporas. La biomasa de raicillas en la sabana semi natural incrementó durante los períodos secos, la cual alcanzó hasta 12.85 g/dm3 de suelo. En todos los ecosistemas, la mayor colonización micorrízica ocurrió en la época lluviosa del segundo año con valores que oscilaron entre 79 y 89 %. Las mayores biomasas de micelio externo fueron registradas en los tres ecosistemas durante el período seco del segundo año, con un valor máximo de 279 mg/dm3 de suelo en la sabana recuperada. La mayor densidad de esporas de HFMA fue determinada en el periodo seco del segundo año para los tres ecosistemas estudiados, con el valor más alto en la sabana recuperada con 5 670 esporas/100 g de suelo seco. De manera general, se evidenció un efecto de la estacionalidad de la lluvia más que del manejo de ecosistema sobre el funcionamiento de los HFMA. La mayor actividad colonizadora se evidenció en períodos húmedos, mientras que mayor biomasa de raicillas y micelio externo durante los períodos secos, lo que sugiere estrategias de incremento del volumen del suelo explorado por parte de los HFMA como de las plantas hospedadoras. La proliferación de esporas evidenció la formación de estructuras de resistencia de los HFMA ante condiciones adversas. Los resultados obtenidos pondrían en evidencia la plasticidad de la simbiosis micorrízica ante variaciones en la disponibilidad de agua. Despite the ubiquity and importance of indigenous arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) for plant ecosystems; functioning of indigenus mycorrhizal symbiosis (IMS) and related environmental factors at coastal Caribbean ecosystems remains still scarce. In order to determine functionality of IMS under contrasting land uses and wet seasons from Cuba, the influence of the water stress on some AMF functionality parameters from a semi-natural savannah (NS), a recovered savannah (RS) and an agro-ecosystem (AG) from the Managed Floristic Reserve San Ubaldo-Sabanalamar, Pinar del Rio, Cuba were assessed during two-years. Soil and root samples were collected in April and October, during the dry and wet seasons, respectively, in 2008 and 2010. Four plots in each ecosystem were selected, and five soil sub-samples were randomly collected, bulked, mixed homogeneously and used as the composite sample per plot. The host plant root biomass, arbuscular mycorrhizal colonization of the host plant, density of the intraradical and extraradical AMF mycelia, fungal endophyte biomass and AMF spore density were assessed. The host plant root biomass increased in the NS environment during the dry season, and approximately 12.85g root/dm3 dry soil was recorded. The colonization scores were significantly higher in all environments during the wet season of the second year, with means ranging from 79% to 89%. The extraradical mycelia were significantly more abundant in the dry season of the second year in all environments, with a maximum of 279mg/dm3 in the RS ecosystem. The density of AMF spores was highest in the dry season of the second year for the three studied ecosystems. The RS ecosystem hosted 5 670 spores/100g dry soil. In general, the influence of rainfall seasonality on the function of AMF was stronger than the influence of ecosystem management. The root biomass and extraradical mycelia were high in the dry seasons, suggesting strategies to increase the volume of soil for the mutual benefit of the symbionts. The increase in spore density during the dry seasons appears as an adaptation allowing AMF to survive period of water shortage. This study improves our understanding of the adaptative responses of arbuscular mycorrhizal symbiosis to seasonal variations in soil water availability.