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Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungal diversity in perennial pastures; responses to long-term lime application

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Abstract

Background and aims

We investigated the genetic diversity of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) in soils and the roots of Phalaris aquatica L., Trifolium subterraneum L., and Hordeum leporinum Link growing in limed and unlimed soil, the influence of lime application on AMF colonization and the relationship between AMF diversity and soil chemical properties.

Methods

The sampling was conducted on a long-term liming experimental site, established in 1992, in which lime was applied every 6 years to maintain soil pH (in CaCl2) at 5.5 in the 0–10 cm soil depth. Polymerase chain reaction, cloning and sequencing techniques were used to investigate the diversity of AMF.

Results

Altogether, 438 AMF sequences from a total of 480 clones were obtained. Sequences of phylotypes Aca/Scu were detected exclusively in soil, while Glomus sp. (GlGr Ab) and an uncultured Glomus (UnGlGr A) were detected only in plant roots. Glomus mosseae (GlGr Aa) was the dominant AMF in the pastures examined; however, the proportion of G. mosseae was negatively correlated with soil pH, exchangeable Ca and available P. Generally, diversity of the AMF phylotypes was greater in the bulk unlimed soil and plants from this treatment when compared to the limed treatments.

Conclusions

Long-term lime application changed soil nutrient availability and increased AMF colonization, but decreased AMF phylotype diversity, implying that soil chemistry may determine the distribution of AMF in acid soils. Future studies are required to explore the functions of these AMF groups and select the most efficient AMF for sustainable farming in acid soils.

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Acknowledgements

The work was supported by the 2010 New Initiative Grant from EH Graham Centre for Agricultural Innovation. The technical help of Mr Xiaocheng Zhu, Dr Rosy Raman, and Ms Rujuan Huang is gratefully acknowledged. Our thanks extended to Dr Benjamin Stodart who kindly reviewed the manuscript and made constructive comments. The senior author received financial support from Chinese Scholarship Council to work in Australia for 12 months.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Faculty of Animal Science and Technology, Southwest University, Chongqing, 400716, China

    Y. J. Guo

  2. EH Graham Centre for Agricultural Innovation (an alliance between Charles Sturt University and NSW Department of Primary Industries), Wagga Wagga, NSW 2650, Australia

    Y. J. Guo, H. Raman, B. A. L. Wilson, G. J. Ash, A. S. Wang & G. D. Li

  3. Faculty of Agronomy and Bio-technology, Southwest University, Chongqing, 400716, China

    Y. Ni

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  1. Y. J. Guo
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  2. Y. Ni
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  3. H. Raman
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  5. G. J. Ash
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  6. A. S. Wang
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  7. G. D. Li
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Correspondence to Y. J. Guo.

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Guo, Y.J., Ni, Y., Raman, H. et al. Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungal diversity in perennial pastures; responses to long-term lime application. Plant Soil 351, 389–403 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11104-011-0976-7

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