The Journal of Biodiversity Photon 115 (2015) 461-464 https://sites.google.com/site/photonfoundationorganization/home/the-journal-for-dentistry Original Research Article. ISJN: 8359-6193 Impact Index: 5.28
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The Journal of Biodiversity
Arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) Fungal Status in Endemic Genus Glyphochloa Maria A. Fonseca, James D’Souza* Department of Botany, St. Xavier`s College Mapusa, Goa 403 507, India Article history: Received: 22 October, 2014 Accepted: 29 October, 2014 Available online: 16 May, 2015 Keywords: Endemic, Gylophochloa, colonization, Arum morphotype, Paris morphotypes Corresponding Author: D`Souza J.* Assistant Professor Email: james2442 ( at ) gmail ( dot ) com Fonseca M.A. Associate Professor
Abstract The Arbuscular mycorrhiza (AM) symbiosis is the most widespread and abundant plant–microbe symbiosis. Five plant species belonging to endemic genus Gylophochloa were investigated for AM
colonization. Arbuscular mycorrhizal colonization was recorded in all the plant species. Arbuscular mycorrhizal colonization was characterized by presence of Hyphae, Arbuscules and Vesicles. Comparative studies on AM colonization showed variation ranging from (22- 86%). Four species recorded Paris type` while one species recorded Arum type. The AM status of plant species were reported for the first time from this genus. Our results provide information which can be use for the conservation and restoration programmes of these endemic plant species. Citation: D`Souza J., Fonseca M.A., 2015 Arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) Fungal Status in Endemic Genus Glyphochloa. The Journal of Biodiversity. Photon 115, 461-464. All Rights Reserved with Photon. Photon Ignitor: ISJN83596193D755516052015
1. Introduction The genus Glyphochloa Clayton is a paleoendemic genus restricted to Peninsular India and consists of 10 species and three varieties (Royal Botanic Gardern Kew, 2010). Recent study by Potdar and Yadav, (2011) added one more species in Glyphochloa. Of these endemic grass species of Peninsular India, as many as 93 species belong to the tribe Andropogoneae which reflects the high degree of endemism of the tribe. Globalization and increasing anthropogenic activities has led in eroding natural habitats of grass species (Safarov, 2013). However studies relating to their conservation efforts are rare and moreover there are no investigation on AM fungal associations of these endemic grass species. There is need for conservationa studies by developing effective biological methods, for their maintenance and propagation. The Arbuscular mycorrhiza (AM) symbiosis is the most widespread and abundant plant–microbe symbiosis (Fitter and Moyersoen, 2013) which play a crucial role in plant phosphorus supply (Smith and Read, 1997). Ecological functions attributable to AM fungi include helping to increase plant tolerance of Ph ton
adverse soil conditions, influencing response to severe climatic conditions and increasing productivity in natural plant communities (Brundrett and Kendricks, 1996). Besides AM fungi modify the structure and function of plant communities and are useful indicators of ecosystem change (Miller and Bever, 1999). In view of these beneficial roles played by AM fungal species, they are considered as vital for conservation of rare, endemic and endangered plant species (Zubek et al., 2009; Bothe et al., 2010). Present study is first report of AM fungal association in endemic Glyphochloa species found in Goa. 2. Materials and Methods 2.1 Study sites and sample collection Goa is located on the west coast of India. Tropical weather at the sites is warm and humid, with lateritic soil on the plateaus. Mean temperature range is 22-35o C and average annual rainfall 2500mm. Species belonging Genus Glyphochloa, are restricted to Peninsular India which show germination and flowering in raining season. In all, 5 species growing in Goa were investigated (Table
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1). Root and rhizosphere soil samples were randomly collected from the study sites. During collection, care was taken to ensure that the collected roots belonged to the same plant. Fine roots were traced by digging, and removed with adhering soil. The samples were collected in polyethylene bags and brought to the laboratory. The roots were separated from adhering soil, washed gently under tap water and fixed in FAA (formalin-acetic acid-alcohol) for estimation of AM colonization. 2.2 Estimation of AM fungal root colonization Fixed roots were placed in 2% KOH, heated at 90o C acidified with 1% HCl and stained with trypan blue (Koske and Gemma, 1989). The stained roots were examined on a compound microscope (100X-
1000X) for AM fungal structures and percent root colonization was estimated using the slide method (Giovannetti and Mosse, 1980). A segment was considered mycorrhizal when it showed the presence of hypha, arbuscule or vesicle. 2.3 Statistical analysis Pearson’s correlation coefficient was performed to assess variation in root colonization at each site, with respect to soil pH, Phosphorus, and Electrical Conductivity using WASP software (Web Based Agricultural package) 2.0 (P ≤ 0.05). 3. Results and Discussion Results of the soil physico-chemical analyses revealed deficiency of available P at that the study
Table 1: Geographic locations and list of plant species selected for the study. Study sites Plant species I Glyphochloa acuminate (Hack.) W.D. Clayton Glyphochloa goaensis (Rao &Hemadri) W.D. Clayton Glyphochloa talboti (Hook.f.) W.D. Clayton II Glyphochloa henryi(Janarth et. al) III Glyphochloa Veldkampii(Fonseca &Janarth.
Geographic Locations 15o 27’ 65” N & 73o 52’ 15”E 15o 11’ 43” N & 73o 50’19”E 15o 27’ 19” N & 73o 49’ 44”E 15o 25’ 17” N & 74o 32’ 07”E 15o 23 06” N & 74o 14’ 24”E
Figure 1: Percent AM colonization in selected Glyphochloa species
sites. All plant species belonging to genus Gylophochloa investigated in the present study recorded AM colonization. Arbuscular mycorrhizal colonization was characterized by presence of hyphae, arbuscules and vesicles. Hyphal, vesicular and arbuscular colonization was observed in all plant species Comparative studies on AM colonization showed variation ranging from (2286%). Maximium AM colonization (86%) was recorded in G.henryi and minimum in G.veldkampii 22% (Figure 1). Apart from the Ph ton
presence numerous vesicles, hyphal coils and sporocarps were observed. Resource limitation is a driver of local adaptation in mycorrhizal symbiosis (Jhonson et al., 2009). Smith and Read (2008), observed the AM fungal colonization aid in growth of the host plants to adverse condition such as hard lateritic rocky plateau with very thin layer of soil. Ning and Cumming (2001), in their study recorded similar observation, where in host plant Andropogon genardii adapts to the levels of nutrients present in the local soils due to the AM
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fungal association. However in the absence of AM fungal association, growth of host is limited (Grime et al., 1987) suggesting beneficial role of AM fungal symbiosis in nutrient limiting conditions. Both Arum and Paris-type of morphologies were observed, the latter type was dominant, observed in four plant species while one taxa revealed Arum type. Arbuscular mycorrhizal morphology is known to depend on the symbionts identity and varied environmental factors which result in formation of different colonizing patterns in the same plant genus or even species (Dickson et al., 2007). Besides this the genotypic physiology of the host may also contribute to the type morphologies (Bedini et al., 2000). No significant correlation was recorded between average AM colonization and various soil parameters such as soil pH, Phosphorous and electrical conductivity. Cornwell et al. (2001), suggested that, even in some studies where a correlation does exist, but it is not ubiquitous. Rickerl et al. (1994), observed that AM colonization in two grasses in the dry zone of wetlands was highly correlated to P concentration, while in the wet regime there was no correlation. Conclusions The role of AM fungi in supporting the plant growth is considered in many conservation programmes of rare, endemic and endangered taxa (Barroetavena et al., 1998; Fisher and Jayachandran 2002; Gemma et al., 2002). However to use this beneficial, bio-inoculants for the conservation programmes, there is need to study AM fungal species composition. This may facilitate the potential use of AM fungi in future endeavours aimed at their conservation. More detailed studies on AM fungal species composition and plant phenology is needed to use them future reforestation programme.
Bothe H., Turnau K., Regvar M., 2010. The potential role of Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi in protecting endangered plants and habitats. Mycorrhiza, 20, 445-457. Brundrett M.C., Kendrick W.B., 1996. A developmental study of early stages in vesicular arbuscular mycorrhiza formation. Canadian Journal of Botany, 66,184-194. Cornwell W.K., Bedford B.L., Chapin C.T., 2001. Occurrence of Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi in a phosphorus-poor wetland and mycorrhizal response to phosphorus fertilization. American Journal of Botany, 88, 1824-1829. Dickson S., Smith A., Smith S.E., 2007. Structural differences in Arbuscular mycorrhizal symbioses: more than 100 years after Gallaud, where next? Mycorrhiza, 17, 375-393. Fisher J.B., Jayachandran K., 2002. Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi enhance seedling growth in two endangered plant species from South Florida. International Journal of Plant Sciences, 163, 559-566. Fitter A.H., Moyersoen B., 1996. Evolutionary trends in rootmicrobe symbioses. Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society London, 351, 1367–1375. Gemma J.N., Koske R.E., Habte M., 2002. Mycorrhizal dependency of some endemic and endangered Hawaiian plant species. American Journal of Botany, 89, 337-345. Giovannetti M., Mosse B., 1980. An evalution of techniques for measuring vesicular-arbuscular infection in roots. New Phytologist, 84, 489-500. Grime J.P., Mackey J.M.L., Hillier S.H., Read D.J., 1987. Floristic diversity in a model system using experimental microcosms. Nature, 328, 420-422. Johnson N.C., Wilson G.W.T., Bowker M.A., Wilson J.A., Miller R.M., 2009.Resource limitation is a driver of local adaptation in mycorrhizal symbioses. Proceedings of National Academic Sciences USA, 107, 2093-2098. Koske R.E., Gemma J.N.,1989. A modified procedure for staining roots to detect VA mycorrhizas. Mycological Research, 92, 486-505.
Acknowledgements The authors gratefully acknowledge the financial assistance received from Planning Commission, Government of India, New Delhi to carry out this study. References Barroetavena C., Gisler S.D., Luoma D.L., Meinke R.J., 1998. Mycorrhizal status of the endangered species Astragalus applegatei Peck as determined from a soil bioassay. Mycorrhiza, 8,117-119. Bedini S., Maremmani A., Giovannetti M., 2000. Paristype mycorrhizas in Smilax aspera L. growing in a Mediterranean sclerophyllous wood. Mycorrhiza, 10, 913. Ph ton
Miller S.P., Bever J.D., 1999. Distribution of Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi in stands of wetlands grass Panicum hamitomon along a wide hydrologic gradient. Oecologia, 119, 586-592. Ning J., Cumming J.R., 2001. Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi alter phosphorus relationships of broomsedge (Andropogan virgincus L.) plants. Journal of Experimantal Biology, 52, 1883-1891. Potdar G.G., Yadav S.R., 2011. A new species and new variety of Glyphochloa (Poaceae) from Western Ghats of India. Kew Bulletin, 66, 625-628. Rickerl D.H., Sancho F.O., Ananth S., 1994. Vesiculararbuscular endomycorrhizal colonization of wetland plants. Journal of Environmental Quality, 23, 913-916.
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Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew 2010. Electronic Plant Information Centre. Published on the Internet; http://epic.kew.org/epic/ accessed 22 March 2013. Safarov N., 2003. National strategy and action plan on conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity. Governmental Working Group of the Republic of Tajikistan, Dushanbe. Smith S.E., Read D.J. , 2008. Mycorrhizal symbiosis, 3rd edition. Academic, London. Smith S.E., Read D.J., 1997. Mycorrhizal symbiosis. Academic, San Diego. Zubek S., Turnau K., Tsimilli-Michael M., Strasser R.J., 2009. Response of endangered plant species to inoculation with Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi and soil bacteria. Mycorrhiza, 19, 113-123.
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