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Effects of a mycophagous Collembola on the symbioses between Trifolium subterraneum and three arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi
Author(s) -
LARSEN JOHN,
JAKOBSEN IVER
Publication year - 1996
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 - 10.1111/j.1469-8137.1996.tb01897.x
Subject(s) - trifolium subterraneum , hypha , biology , symbiosis , mycorrhiza , arbuscular mycorrhiza , botany , shoot , arbuscular mycorrhizal , horticulture , agronomy , pasture , bacteria , genetics
summary We examined the effect of the mycophagous Collembola Folsomia Candida Willem on the symbioses between Trifolium subterraneum L. and three arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi. Mycorrhizal and non‐mycorrhizal plants were grown in pots with a central mesh bag which constituted a root‐free soil compartment (RFSC) where the soil was labelled with 32 P. This allowed us to study hyphal P transport as affected by the presence of Collembola in the soil with roots. The hyphal P transport was monitored by measuring the 32 P content in leaflets sampled from the latest fully developed trifoliate leaf after 3, 4, 5 and 6 wk. Measurements on each plant after 6 wk furthermore included total contents of 32 P and 31 P, root length and length of hyphae inside the mesh bag. The presence of F, Candida reduced the average hyphal 32 P transport from the RFSC by 12% and the average AM hyphal length in the RFSC was reduced by 30%. The root dry weights of mycorrhizal plants were also reduced by the presence of Collembola. The reduction in total hyphal 32 P transport was not revealed by the data from the time‐course study using leaflet samples, which demonstrates the uncertainty of analyses of AM fungal activity based solely on measurements of leaf materials. The results from this work suggest that F. Candida grazed on roots and/or hyphae of AM; however, shoot yields were unaffected by this grazing. In conclusion, Collembola seemed to have little effect on the functioning of AM fungi.