Red list plants: colonization by arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi and dark septate endophytes

Abstract

Since information concerning the mycorrhization of endangered plants is of major importance for their potential re-establishment, we determined the mycorrhizal status of Serratula tinctoria (Asteraceae), Betonica officinalis (Lamiaceae), Drosera intermedia (Droseraceae) and Lycopodiella inundata (Lycopodiaceae), occurring at one of two wetland sites (fen meadow and peat bog), which differed in soil pH and available P levels. Root colonization by arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) and dark septate endophytes (DSE) was quantified. Colonization by AMF appeared to be more frequent in the fen meadow than in the peat bog, and depended on the host plant. Roots of S. tinctoria and B. officinalis were well colonized by AMF in the fen meadow (35-55% root length) and both arbuscules and vesicles were observed to occur in spring as well as in autumn. In the peat bog, L. inundata showed a low level of root colonization in spring, when vesicles were found frequently but no arbuscules. In roots of D. intermedia from the peat bog, arbuscules and vesicles were observed, but AMF colonization was lower than in L. inundata. In contrast, the amount of AMF spores extracted from soil at the peat bog site was higher than from the fen meadow soil. Spore numbers did not differ between spring and autumn in the fen meadow, but they were higher in spring than in autumn in the peat bog. Acaulospora laevis or A. colossica and Glomus etunicatum were identified amongst the AMF spores extracted from soil at the two sites. S. tinctoria and B. officinalis roots were also regularly colonized by DSE (18-40% root length), while L. inundata was only rarely colonized and D. intermedia did not seem to be colonized by DSE at all.

Root fungal associations in some non-orchidaceous vascular lithophytes

“…However, the roots of Utricularia uliginosa examined in the present study had both AM and DSE fungal structures. This is in accordance with studies where mycorrhizal structures have been reported in the roots of carnivorous plants (Fuchs & Haselwandter 2004;Harikumar 2013). Although, the endophytic fungal associations have been reported in carnivorous plants, the nature and function of the associations have yet to be ascertained.…”

Arbuscular mycorrhizal and dark septate endophyte associations of medicinal plants

“…Our investigations add data to the knowledge of mycorrhizal status and ecology of medicinal plant species. Furthermore, as it was recognized for rare and endangered plants, studies on mycorrhizal associations may also be important in the context of further investigations, regarding ecological restoration, preservation and propagation [30,[41][42][43][44][45]. It could be crucial in the case of four species investigated in our research that are under legal protection in Poland (see Tab.…”

Arbuscular mycorrhiza of endemic and endangered plants from the Tatra Mts

“…Hence the knowledge of AM status and AM fungi occurring in rhizosphere is necessary to prepare a soil environment as natural as possible for plants to be established in introduction or reintroduction projects. AMF strains from the habitats of endangered taxa maintained in trap cultures can serve as a ready-to-use inoculum source for restoration programmes (Turnau and Haselwandter 2002;Fuchs and Haselwandter 2004).…”

“…We also isolated and identified AMF species occurring in the rhizosphere of the investigated taxa. Such research is considered a pre-requisite for making further active plant conservation projects successful (Turnau and Haselwandter 2002;Fuchs and Haselwandter 2004).…”