Changes to water repellence of soil caused by the growth of white-rot fungi: studies using a novel microcosm system

Abstract

A microcosm system is described which permits assessment of the progressive growth of filamentous fungi through soil. We report on its application to measure the effects of Coriolus versicolor and Phanerochaete chrysosporium upon the sorptivity and water repellence of a mineral soil, measured using a miniature infiltration device. Both fungal species caused moderate sub-critical repellence. Since the pore structure was unaffected, the repellence was probably due to hydrophobic substances of fungal origin. This is the first report of changes in soil repellence caused by the growth of potential xenobiotic bioremediating fungi. The potential consequences are discussed. ß

Relationships between soil water repellency and microbial community composition under different plant species in a Mediterranean semiarid forest

“…The development of SWR from the metabolic products of micoorganism activity was first demonstrated decades ago (Bond and Harris, 1964) and SWR development has also been directly related to certain fungi species (Rillig et al, 2005;Savage et al, 1964;White et al, 2000). In our research we found a relationship between field SWR and microbial commu-nity structure, particularly actinobacteria.…”

Interactions between soil structure and fungi

“…Work by Hallett et al (2001) using biocides to suppress fungi or bacteria, suggests that the main contribution to hydrophobicity in soils arises from the fungal community, although it is likely that hydrophobic compounds may be derived from a range of biological and non-biological sources. White et al (2000) demonstrated that an increase in sub-critical repellency of a soil was strongly correlated to the growth of the basidiomycetes Coriolus versicolor and Phanerochaete chrysosporium within it.…”

Biological and chemical factors controlling the patchy distribution of soil water repellency among plant species in a Mediterranean semiarid forest

“…On the other hand, research highlights the point that the relationship between WR and plants may not always be direct: a group of fungi and microorganisms, which might be associated with specific plants, could also contribute to soil hydrophobicity through their products or by processing organic material (Feeney et al, 2004;Hallett and Young, 1999;Morales et al, 2010;White et al, 2000). In concrete, fungal hyphae, glomalin related soil protein and more recently ergosterol are being studied to understand their influence on the development of soil WR (Rillig, 2005;Rillig et al, 2010;Young et al, 2012).…”