Premium
Survival of propagules of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi in soils in eastern Australia used to grow cotton
Author(s) -
McGEE P. A,
PATTINSON G. S.,
HEATH R. A.,
NEWMAN C. A.,
ALLEN S.J.
Publication year - 1997
Publication title -
new phytologist
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 3.742
H-Index - 244
eISSN - 1469-8137
pISSN - 0028-646X
DOI - 10.1046/j.1469-8137.1997.00709.x
Subject(s) - propagule , spore , soil water , biology , hypha , botany , mycorrhiza , arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi , agronomy , horticulture , symbiosis , ecology , inoculation , bacteria , genetics
SUMMARY Soil‐borne spores and hyphae of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi are important propagules in cracking clay soils of northern NSW, Australia. In these soils, senescent roots were uncommon. Although c. 4–200 spores g −1 soil were found, less than 6% established arbuscular mycorrhizas in trap plants, and this percentage declined over 24 months. Using tetrazolium red as a vital stain, 16–21 % of spores from field soils were found to be viable in fresh soil and 6–7 % after 24 months of storage. Using fluorescein diacetate, the length of stained hyphae of c. 0–5 m g −1 soil was shown to be halved over 32 wk. The density of viable propagules of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi in soil declined over time and was reduced by severe disturbance. The fungi that survived to 12 months included a species thought to form dormant spores, while those initiating infection after 24 months, did not.