The effects of simultaneous root colonisation by three Glomus species on soil pore characteristics

• Published in: Soil biology & biochemistry Vol. 49; pp. 167 - 173
• Main Authors: Martin, S.L., Mooney, S.J., Dickinson, M.J., West, H.M.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Amsterdam Elsevier Ltd 01.06.2012; Elsevier
• Subjects: Aggregate size distribution; Aggregate stability; Agronomy. Soil science and plant productions; Arbuscular mycorrhizas; Biochemistry and biology; Biological and medical sciences; Chemical, physicochemical, biochemical and biological properties; Economic plant physiology; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; Glomus; Glomus intraradices; Glomus mosseae; Glomus spp; Nearest neighbour distance; Physical properties; Physics, chemistry, biochemistry and biology of agricultural and forest soils; Plantago lanceolata; Pore area; Soil porosity; Soil science; Structure, texture, density, mechanical behavior. Heat and gas exchanges; Symbiosis (nodules, symbiotic nitrogen fixation, mycorrhiza...); Soil porosity; Aggregate size distribution; Nearest neighbour distance; Arbuscular mycorrhizas; Glomus spp; Aggregate stability; Pore area; Nearest neighbour; Structure stability; Root; Property of soil; Glomeromycota; Symbiont; Fungi; Soils; Endomycorrhiza; Pore; Mycorrhiza; Soil science; Microorganism; Porosity; Aggregate; Colonization
• ISSN: 0038-0717; 1879-3428
• DOI: 10.1016/j.soilbio.2012.02.036

The spatial and temporal nature of the precise interactions between soil fungi and roots and their subsequent role in developing soil structure is still a subject where our understanding is limited. This research examines the relationship between three species of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungus (AMF) and soil structural characteristics. Plantago lanceolata was inoculated with one of: Glomus geosporum, Glomus mosseae or Glomus intraradices, and every combination of the fungal species. Infectivity was similar for each individual species, but G. mosseae and G. intraradices together resulted in the lowest per cent root length colonised. Despite the lower percentage colonisation, this combination induced the greatest mycorrhizal growth response. Aggregate stability and aggregate size distribution were unaffected by AMF but were increased by the presence of roots. Microbial biomass-C was also enhanced by roots. Pore size, pore size distribution and nearest neighbour distance were all reduced by G. mosseae and increased by G. intraradices. All AMF inocula containing G. intraradices resulted in greater distances between pores within the experimental soils. Porosity (%) was increased by G. mosseae suggesting that more, smaller pores with less distance between them enhanced overall porosity. ► Soil aggregate stability was increased by plant roots. ► Aggregate stability was unaffected by arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi. ► Pore size was reduced by Glomus mosseae and increased by Glomus intraradices. ► G. mosseae reduced distance between neighbouring soil pores. ► G. intraradices increased distance between neighbouring soil pores.