Exploring plant root-fungal interactions in a neotropical freshwater wetland
Résumé
Background: Wetlands in Neotropics harbor high fungal diversity, including arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) and dark septate endophytes
(DSE). This study describes the interaction of plant roots with AMF and DSE in a freshwater wetland belonging to a hotspot of biodiversity.
Hypothesis: Differential root colonization between arbuscular mycorrhizal and dark septate endophyte fungi is influenced by plant species
and abiotic conditions in a freshwater wetland.
Studied species: Plant species colonized by arbuscular mycorrhizal and dark septate endophyte fungi.
Methods: Properties of soils and the water column, floristic composition, root colonization by AMF and DSE, and molecular identification
of AMF inside roots were studied.
Results: Soils were Gleysol and flooded during the rainy season. Most of identified plant species were herbaceous, with Cyperus articulatus
and Mimosa pigra as the dominant species. Seven of 8 analyzed plant species exhibited differential co-colonization between AMF and DSE.
Repeated sampling for one year under flooding/dry conditions demonstrated that C. articulatus and M. pigra were mainly associated with
DSE and AMF, respectively. A positive correlation between dissolved O2
in the water column and fungal colonization was observed in C.
articulatus. Glomerales and Archaeosporales were molecularly identified inside roots containing arbuscules of M. pigra.
Conclusions: Findings highlight differential coexistence between AMF and DSE in plant roots; fungal colonization was influenced by flooding/dry conditions in a neotropical wetland; the community of AMF inside arbusculated roots of M. pigra includes at least four clades.