Depth differential colonization and biodiversity of mycorrhizal fungi in four prairie grass species
Date
2009-02-25
Authors
Pérez, J.C.
van Tuinen, D.
Schellenberg, M.P.
Germida, J.
Hamel, C.
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ORCID
Type
Poster Presentation
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Abstract
The biodiversity of AMF at different soil depths was studied in pure stands of the grasses crested
wheatgrass (Agropyron cristatum (L.) Gaertn.), switchgrass (Panicum virgatum L.), green
needlegrass (Nassella viridula Trin.) and western wheatgrass (Pascopyrum smithii (Rydb.) A. Löve),
growing in southwest Saskatchewan. The biodiversity of AMF was described in roots from 3 to 15,
and 30 to 45 cm depth sampled in 2006 using phylogenetic and molecular tools. Soil depth reduced
root colonization and influenced AMF community composition, which was dominated by six AMF
phylotypes of the genus Glomus. Three AMF phylotypes were common colonizers and three were
preferentially associated with some grasses. AMF communities at different depths differed from each
other in all plant stands, and diversity and richness of AMF phylotypes was higher at shallow depth,
except in N. viridula which showed higher richness of AMF in deeper root samples. We conclude
that although some AMF are general colonizers, some AMF have a strong host preference. Our
results also indicate that soil depth is a important driver of AMF phylotype distribution, and suggest
the existence of niche specialization in AMF along the soil profile, which is influenced by the host
plant.
Description
Keywords
niche specialization, genetic diversity, prairie grasses, arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi, AMF
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Part Of
Soils and Crops Workshop