Mycorrhizal status of selected herbaceous plants in Molinia meadows of Folusz, near Szubin (Poland)

This preliminary study examined the arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) status of native plant species in the Molinia meadows of Folusz in the Kujawy region, Poland. Root samples from ten plant species characteristic of Molinia meadows (Betonica officinalis, Dianthus superbus, Galium boreale, Inula salicina, Ostericum palustre, Sanguisorba officinalis, Selinum carvifolia, Serratula tinctoria, Silaum silaus, and Succisa pratensis) were collected in August 2014. Root colonization by AM fungi was considered an indicator of symbiosis development. AM was found in all plant species examined. The frequency of mycorrhizal structures ranged between 68% and 99%. The intensity of mycorrhizal colonization in roots varied with the plant species, ranging between 3.9% (O. palustre) and 40.1% (B. officinalis). To our knowledge, this is the first study to examine the mycorrhizal status of three species: D. superbus, O. palustre, S. carvifolia. Because AM colonization depends on plant genotype and environmental factors, further studies should examine seasonal variability in plant root colonization and the compositions of AM fungal communities, which may serve as indicators of site conditions

Physiological activity of ectomycorrhizas in a moderately polluted forest (Ratanica catchment, southern Poland)

Ectomycorrhizas of Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) and beech (Fagus sylvatica L.) were sampled in a mature forest ecosystem exposed for more than 40 years to moderate levels of gaseous and dust pollutants. Soil of the forest site was characterised by low pH and accumulation of heavy metals (Pb, Mn, Zn, Cu, Cd, Fe). Mycorrhizal vitality and enzyme activity of the root-surface and soil acid phosphatase (AcPase) were studied at 17 measurement points (0-5 cm soil depth) in relation to the content of inorganic phosphate (Pi) and aluminiumions( Al3+)inthesoil.AnatomyofScotspineandbeechmycorrhizastakenfromdifferentmeasurement points was observed. The concentration ofessential nutrients (C, N, P, Ca, Mg) and the ratios Ca/Al, Mg/AlandN/Pwereanalysedinfineroots.HighconcentrationsofAl3+inthesoil(40-118meqkg-1)andlow levels ofPi (12-44 mg P2O5kg-1) were accompanied by high activity ofthe root-surface AcPase ofpine and beech mycorrhizas (25-67 and 33-86 /./.mol pNP g-1 fresh weight h-1, respectively) and soil AcPase (6.8-22.4 //mol pNP g-1 dry weight h-1). The results indicate that fine tree roots are undoubtedly under stress as evidenced by a disturbance in P uptake and accumulation. However, the high vitality of mycorrhizas and the high Ca/Al ratio in fine roots suggest that the defence mechanisms of mycorrhizas and the rhizosphere are still able to ameliorate the influence of anthropogenic pollution

Mycorrhizal status of forest trees grown in urban and rural environments in Poland

Mycorrhizal status of mature forest trees (horse chestnut, Aesculus hippocastanum L.; white poplar, Populus alba L.; black poplar, P. nigra L.) was investigated in urban habitats under different intensity of anthropogenic pressures (restricted root zone, soil compaction, low air and soil humidity), compared to trees grown in rural environments that were used as reference biological material. Horse chestnut roots were colonized by arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi, and the two poplar species (white poplar and black poplar) were dually colonized by AM and ectomycorrhizal (ECM) fungi, regardless of habitat, except P. nigra grown close to a trafficked street, which had only ECM associations. The AM colonization of horse chestnut roots was higher in May than October, regardless of habitat and showed a tendency to be lower in the roots of trees from urban environments, however, only mycorrhizal frequency differed significantly between the urban habitat and the reference plot. In roots of two poplar species the intensity of AM colonization was significantly lower in disturbed urban habitats than in the rural sites. ECM colonization of white poplar did not differ between the urban and rural environments, and in black poplar roots it was lower at the city sites than in the reference plot. Significantly lower levels of available magnesium and total carbon was recorded in soils at the urban sites compared to reference plots. The concentrations of the other macro- and microelements did not differ significantly. A tendency to reduced water content in two of three urban sites was also recorded. The results indicated that mycorrhizal fungi native of urban habitats are able to develop effective symbiosis with mature tree roots and they suggested that environmental factors, such as availability of water and nutrient and carbohydrates production and allocation, are the most important factor influencing the mycorrhizal colonization of urban trees

Biomass of external mycelium of ectomycorrhizal fungi in Norway spruce stands in Poland

Biomass of extramatrical mycorrhizal mycelium (EMM) was examined under canopies of mature Norway spruce trees grown in different forest stands in Poland. Two mountain forest sites (Brenna and Salmopol), one upland site (Zwierzyniec) and one lowland site (Mirachowo) have been investigated, using sand-filled mesh-bags method. The in-grow mesh-bags were buried in the soil for 12 months (since October up to the next October) or for 4 months (since June up to October) at four depths at each site: 5, 15, 30 and 45 cm (Brenna and Salmopol) or 60 cm (Zwierzyniec and Mirachowo). The mycelium biomass was estimated from the ergosterol content determined in the mesh-bags. The results indicated significant differences in EMM production and their vertical distribution between the mountain and the upland and lowland forest sites. The lowest EMM biomass was found at the experimental plot in the mountainious site Brenna. Considerable decrease of EMM biomass with the soil depth was recorded after 12 months of the mesh-bags incubation in soil in the upland and lowland sites, while in the mountain forests decrease of the EMM biomass in the lower soil depths diminished more gradually EMM biomass determined in the mesh-bags placed in soil at the upper 5 and 15 cm tended to be higher after 4 months than after 12 months of incubation period. Such results suggest that the time necessary for evaluation of EMM biomass in soil may be limited to the summer–autumn months, when the production of EMM is the highest. Variable stress factors can influence decreased ectomycorrhizal mycelium production and/or their destruction. Further research in different forest types and regions are needed for better understanding factors determining EMM biomass production and surviving in soil

Evaluation of methods to estimate production, biomass and turnover of ectomycorrhizal mycelium in forests soils : A review

Peer reviewedPublisher PD

The production and turnover of extramatrical mycelium of ectomycorrhizal fungi in forest soils : role in carbon cycling

Peer reviewedPublisher PD