BioControl (2002) 47, 715-727
Sigurdur Greipsson and Hanan El-Mayas (2002)
Synergistic effect of soil pathogenic fungi and nematodes reducing bioprotection of Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi on the grass Leymus arenarius
BioControl 47 (6), 715-727
Abstract: We examined the role of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) in the bioprotection of the sand dune grass Leymus arenarius against soil fungi and nematodes. Six soil fungi (Fusarium nivale, Fusarium sp., Cladosporium herbarum, Cladosporium sp., Phoma sp., Sporothrix sp.) and four species of nematodes (Pratylenchoides magnicauda, Paratylenchus microdorus, Rotylenchus goodeyi, Merlinius joctus) were isolated from a coastal sand dune in Iceland where a population of L. arenarius was declining in vigour. A commercial AMF inoculum (Microbio Ltd. England) containing Glomus caledonium, G. fasciculatum, and G. mossae was used. Seedlings of L. arenarius were grown under controlled conditions in sterile sand and subjected to the following treatments: (1) control, (2) + AMF, (3) + AMF + soil fungi, (4) + AMF + nematodes, (5) + AMF + nematodes + soil fungi, (6) + soil fungi, (7) + soil fungi + nematodes, (8) + nematodes. Mycorrhizal plants had significantly the highest root dry weight of all treatments. Mycorrhizal plants had significantly higher leaf dry weight than plants in other treatments, with the exception of AMF inoculated plants exposed to nematodes. Mycorrhizal plants exposed to soil fungi and nematodes had significantly higher growth parameters except total number of leaves than AMF inoculated plants exposed to both soil fungi and nematodes. Mycorrhizal plants subjected to a dual application of soil fungi and nematodes did not vary significantly in any growth parameters from plants without AMF that were exposed to a dual application of soil fungi and nematodes. This suggests a synergistic effect of soil fungi and nematodes that break down the protection of AMF against pathogens. The results are discussed in relation to plant dynamics of sand dune ecosystems.
(The abstract is excluded from the Creative Commons licence and has been copied with permission by the publisher.)
Link to article at publishers website
Database assignments for author(s): Sigurdur Greipsson
Research topic(s) for pests/diseases/weeds:
biocontrol - natural enemies
environment - cropping system/rotation
Research topic(s) for beneficials or antagonists:
environment/habitat manipulation
