Interactions between Two Fungi Strains during Litter Decomposition through a Microcosm Experiment: Different Degradative Enzyme Activities

Abstract

Fungi are the key agents in litter decomposition in forest ecosystems. However, the specific roles of the interactions between different fungal species during litter decomposition process are unclear. To evaluate the interactions, two fungi strains with significantly different morphs were isolated from the soils of Quercus acutissima forest and Pinus massoniana forest, and inoculated in the litter powder of Quercus acutissima leaves and Pinus massoniana needles with grown separately and in coexistence equally through a microcosm experiment. The enzyme activities were determined as a proxy for microbial activities. The results showed that the degradative enzymes involved in litter decomposition showed varying dynamics pattern during the incubation period. The interactions between the two fungi strains are synergism, and benefit to each other according to enzyme activities, suggesting that a fungi strain growth was accelerated by the presence of other fungi strain during litter decomposition process. However, the interactions of the two fungi strains were bilateral antagonism inoculated in the litter powder of Quercus acutissima leaves according to cellobiohydrolase activities. The synergism, despite bilateral antagonism in an exceptional case, may be an important factor controlling the fungal colonization and growth on litter substrate. The results implied that more fungal species may accelerate litter decomposition rates due to their mutual cooperation.

Cultivation-independent and cultivation-dependent metagenomes reveal genetic and enzymatic potential of microbial community involved in the degradation of a complex microbial polymer

“…Pectins (10-30% of plant dry weight) contain homogalacturonan, xylogalacturonan, and rhamnogalacturonan [18]. Due to their complexity, the breakdown of plant cell wall components requires a wide range of enzymes, produced by the microorganisms during litter decomposition process [19]. Therefore, it is an interesting environment for the retrieval of complex polysaccharide-degrading enzymes.…”

“…Acidobacteria isolates belonging to Granulicella sp. from forest litter are described to produce large amounts of EPS [19]. The genus Granulicella is not a human pathogen [22], and the unique composition of its EPS is interesting for the retrieval of a wide range of glycoside hydrolase genes that could be applied in the industry for several processes [23].…”