In the work described in this thesis I studied how increases in nitrogen (N) inputs may affect plant community structure in boreal forest understorey vegetation. These phenomena were investigated in N fertilization experiments and along a national N deposition gradient. After five years of N additions, large changes in understorey vegetation composition were observed in the fertilization study. In plots that received 50 kg N ha'1 year"1 (N2), the abundance of the dominant species, Vaccinium myrtillus, decreased on average by 32 %. No decrease was observed in control plots during the same period. In contrast, the grass Deschampsia flexuosa responded positively to increased N input, being on average more than five times as abundant in the N2 treatments as in controls. Also an increase was seen in the incidence of disease caused by the parasitic fungus Valdensia heterodoxa on leaves of V. myrtillus following N additions. The parasite was on average nearly twice as abundant in N2 plots than in control plots. This could be explained by increased N concentrations in host plant tissue. Disease incidence also increased following experimental additions of glutamine to leaf surfaces of V. myrtillus, suggesting a causal connection between plant N concentration and performance of the fungus. The parasite also played a key role in the observed changes in understorey species composition. D. flexuosa was more abundant in patches in which V. myrtillus was severely affected by V heterodoxa. This suggests that V heterodoxa mediates the increased abundance of D. flexuosa following increased N additions. The fungus mediates changes in the composition of understorey vegetation mainly by increasing light availability via premature leaf loss of V. myrtillus. The incidence of disease due to the parasite was on average higher in large than in smaller N-treated plots, indicating that the response to N fertilization is spatially scale dependent. This shows that using small plot sizes in experiments that simulate changed environmental conditions may be problematic, as important interactions may be underestimated. Comparison of the occurrence of understorey species between regions with different rates of N deposition revealed that the occurrence of the two dwarf shrubs V. myrtillus and V. vitis- idaea was lower in regions with high N deposition compared to regions with low deposition. The opposite pattern was found for V heterodoxa. This is consistent with expectations from N fertilization experiments. For D. flexuosa no differences in occurrence were found between the different regions investigated. The effects on vegetation and mycorrhizal fungi observed following N additions were also found to be long lasting. Nine years after termination of the fertilization, no signs of recovery were detected, and nearly 50 years after termination characteristic signs of N fertilization were found among bryophytes and mycorrhizal fungi. This suggests that the time needed for re-establishment of the original biota following N-induced changes may be substantial. / <p>Diss. (sammanfattning) Umeå : Umeå universitet, 2002, härtill 5 uppsatser</p> / digitalisering@umu

No description available.

Hypogeous fungi perform various functions in the forest ecosystems, they form the mycorrhizal relationship with plants and serve as the food source of some animals. Main aims of this dissertation were to ascertain the diversity and distribution of hypogeous fungi in Lithuania, to compare the communities of hypogeous and epigeous mycorrhizal fungi, and to explore the composition of fungi in small mammal diet. Using various research methods (an analysis of the literature data, the critical examination of the herbarium specimens, the search of the fruit-bodies by raking the soil, an examination of the fecal pellets of small mammals) in total 29 species of hypogeous fungi have been ascertained in Lithuania. The taxonomic structure, distribution and fructification phenology of hypogeous fungi has been analysed. The data on the structure and dynamics of communities of hypogeous and epigeous mycorrhizal fungi in spruce, oak and mixed tree stands were presented. The influence of abiotic and biotic factors on the species composition and fructification of fungi was assessed. The peculiarities of small mammal mycophagy in different tree stands were described. / Požeminiai grybai atlieka įvairias funkcijas miško ekosistemose, sudaro mikorizes su augalais ir yra kai kurių gyvūnų maisto šaltinis. Disertacinio darbo pagrindiniai tikslai buvo išaiškinti Lietuvos požeminių grybų rūšių įvairovę ir paplitimą, palyginti mikorizinių požeminių ir antžeminių grybų bendrijas, išaiškinti grybų sudėtį smulkiųjų žinduolių maisto racione. Pritaikius skirtingus tyrimo metodus (literatūros duomenų analizę, kritišką herbariuminių pavyzdžių tyrimą, grybų vaisiakūnių paiešką grėbliukais suardytame dirvožemyje, smulkiųjų žinduolių ekskrementų tyrimą), nustatyta, kad dabar Lietuvoje žinomos 29 požeminių grybų rūšys. Išnagrinėta požeminių grybų taksonominė struktūra, paplitimas ir fruktifikacijos fenologija. Pateikti duomenys apie požeminių ir antžeminių mikorizinių makromicetų bendrijų struktūrą ir dinamiką eglynuose, ąžuolyne ir mišriame medyne. Įvertinta abiotinių ir biotinių veiksnių įtaka grybų rūšių sudėčiai ir fruktifikacijai. Išnagrinėti kai kurių smulkiųjų žinduolių mikofagijos ypatumai skirtingos sudėties medynuose.

Požeminiai grybai atlieka įvairias funkcijas miško ekosistemose, sudaro mikorizes su augalais ir yra kai kurių gyvūnų maisto šaltinis. Disertacinio darbo pagrindiniai tikslai buvo išaiškinti Lietuvos požeminių grybų rūšių įvairovę ir paplitimą, palyginti mikorizinių požeminių ir antžeminių grybų bendrijas, išaiškinti grybų sudėtį smulkiųjų žinduolių maisto racione. Pritaikius skirtingus tyrimo metodus (literatūros duomenų analizę, kritišką herbariuminių pavyzdžių tyrimą, grybų vaisiakūnių paiešką grėbliukais suardytame dirvožemyje, smulkiųjų žinduolių ekskrementų tyrimą), nustatyta, kad dabar Lietuvoje žinomos 29 požeminių grybų rūšys. Sudarytas Lietuvos požeminių grybų išplėstinis konspektas, grybų makro- ir mikrostruktūros iliustruotos spalvotomis fotografijomis. Išnagrinėta požeminių grybų taksonominė struktūra, paplitimas ir fruktifikacijos fenologija. Pateikti duomenys apie požeminių ir antžeminių mikorizinių makromicetų bendrijų struktūrą ir dinamiką eglynuose, ąžuolyne ir mišriame medyne. Įvertinta abiotinių ir biotinių veiksnių įtaka grybų rūšių sudėčiai ir fruktifikacijai. Išnagrinėti kai kurių smulkiųjų žinduolių mikofagijos ypatumai skirtingos sudėties medynuose. / Hypogeous fungi perform various functions in the forest ecosystems, they form the mycorrhizal relationship with plants and serve as the food source of some animals. Main aims of this dissertation were to ascertain the diversity and distribution of hypogeous fungi in Lithuania, to compare the communities of hypogeous and epigeous mycorrhizal fungi, and to explore the composition of fungi in small mammal diet. Using various research methods (an analysis of the literature data, the critical examination of the herbarium specimens, the search of the fruit-bodies by raking the soil, an examination of the fecal pellets of small mammals) in total 29 species of hypogeous fungi have been ascertained in Lithuania. An annotated checklist of hypogeous fungi of Lithuania was compiled, fungal macro- and microstructures were illustrated with color photographs. The taxonomic structure, distribution and fructification phenology of hypogeous fungi has been analysed. The data on the structure and dynamics of communities of hypogeous and epigeous mycorrhizal fungi in spruce, oak and mixed tree stands were presented. The influence of abiotic and biotic factors on the species composition and fructification of fungi was assessed. The peculiarities of small mammal mycophagy in different tree stands were described.

No description available.

The study examined interactions between morogo plants, arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) and Fusarium species. Morogo refers to traditional leafy vegetables that, together with maize porridge, are dominant staple foods in rural areas of the Limpopo Province such as the Dikgale Demographic Surveillance Site (DDSS). Morogo plants grow either as weeds (often among maize), occur naturally in the field or are cultivated as subsistence crops by rural communities. Botanical species of morogo plants consumed in the DDSS were determined. Colonisation of morogo plant roots by AMF and Fusarium species composition in the immediate soil environment were investigated in four of eight DDSS subsistence communities, Isolated AMF were shown to belong to the genera Acaulospora and Glomus. Twelve Fusarium species were isolated from soil among which Fusariurn verticilliodes and Fusarium proliferaturn occurred predominantly. Greenhouse pot trials were conducted to examine the effect of AMF on morogo plant growth (cowpea; Mgna unguiculata) and Fusarium proliferatum levels in soil, Interaction between plants and AMF, as well as tripartite interactions of cowpea plants, AMF and Fusarium proliferatum were investigated. Non-inoculated cowpea plants served as controls for the following inoculations of cowpea in pots: (i) Fusarium proliferatum; (ii) commercial AMF from Mycoroot (PTY) Ltd. (a mixture of selected indigenous Glomus spp referred to commercial AMF for the purpose of this study); (iii) indigenous AMF obtained from DDSS soil (referred to iocal AMF for the purpose of this study); (iv) commercial AMF plus Fusarium proliferatum; (v) local AMF plus Fusariurn proliferatum. Results showed reduced root colonization by local as well as commercial AMF when Fusarium proliferatum were present. Local AMF significantly enhanced cowpea growth while commercial AMF apparently reduced the level of Fusarium proliferatum in the rhizosphere and surrounding soil. Results suggest that AMF may have potential as biological growth enhancers and bioprotective agents against Fusarium proliferatum. / Thesis (M. Environmental Science (Water Science))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2007.

Asparagus (Asparagus officinalis) is a perennial crop well suited to grow in Quebec. Despite high demand for this crop, asparagus production is declining because of asparagus root rot disease that is caused by Fusarium spp. Phosphorus is one of the most important nutrients for the production of healthy asparagus roots that may resist infection by Fusarium. The objective of this study was to determine the effects of phosphorus (P) applications on asparagus yield and soil microbial parameters. Plots receiving 0 to 200% of the P recommendation, based on the Centre de reference en agriculture et agroalimentaire du Quebec (CRAAQ) guidelines, did not differ significantly (p < 0.05) in first year yield or plant tissue concentrations. However, asparagus receiving no fertilizer had 2 to 3 times higher arbuscular mycorrhizal colonisation of roots than other treatments in May 2003. Fresh marketable yield was negatively correlated to Fusarium incidence (p = 0.0091 r = -0.51) suggesting that plants with higher yields are less susceptible to Fusarium symptoms and that producers should avoid over-harvesting low yielding plants to reduce Fusarium spread in the field. Soil microbial activity was not affected consistently by P fertilizers because of high variability in the field.

Title page, table of contents and abstract only. The complete thesis in print form is available from the University of Adelaide Library. / Two experiments were conducted to find diversity in plant responses to arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi: positively and negatively/non-responsive combinations. Medic (Medicago truncatula L.) tomato (Solanum esculentum L.), leek (Allium porrum L.) and cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.) were inoculated with Glomus intraradices, Gigaspora margarita and Scutellospora calospora. It was found that soil differences critically affect plant responses to AM fungi. / http://proxy.library.adelaide.edu.au/login?url= http://library.adelaide.edu.au/cgi-bin/Pwebrecon.cgi?BBID=1283734 / Thesis (Ph.D.) -- University of Adelaide, School of Earth and Environmental Sciences, 2007

Title page, table of contents and abstract only. The complete thesis in print form is available from the University of Adelaide Library. / Two experiments were conducted to find diversity in plant responses to arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi: positively and negatively/non-responsive combinations. Medic (Medicago truncatula L.) tomato (Solanum esculentum L.), leek (Allium porrum L.) and cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.) were inoculated with Glomus intraradices, Gigaspora margarita and Scutellospora calospora. It was found that soil differences critically affect plant responses to AM fungi. / http://proxy.library.adelaide.edu.au/login?url= http://library.adelaide.edu.au/cgi-bin/Pwebrecon.cgi?BBID=1283734 / Thesis (Ph.D.) -- University of Adelaide, School of Earth and Environmental Sciences, 2007

Bien que les champignons mycorhiziens arbusculaires (AMF) soient présents des habitats collinaires aux habitats alpins, les recherches sur leur rôle dans l’écosystème montagnard sont encore incomplètes. Les objectifs de cette thèse sont d’analyser l’écologie et le fonctionnement des AMF ainsi que leur réponse au changement global dans les écosystèmes montagnards. Nous tentons de répondre aux questions de recherche suivantes : quels sont les effets de l’altitude sur les AMF indépendamment des effets des autres gradients et de la relation AMF-plante hôte ? Quelles relations de facilitation se développent dans les écosystèmes montagnards et quels bénéfices les plantes tirent-elles des AMF ?Avec l’augmentation d’un stress environnemental la symbiose AMF-plante doit théoriquement devenir plus mutualiste. Nous émettons l’hypothèse d’une modification du fonctionnement des interactions AMF-plante selon un gradient altitudinal dans les conditions environnementales actuelles, puis dans les conditions futures. Afin de vérifier ces hypothèses, une expérimentation in situ a été mise en place dans les Alpes Centrales d’Italie pour évaluer les variations des taux de mycorhization et leur abondance dans la communauté microbienne du sol, étudier la nature des relations entre plantes et mycorhizes ainsi que la productivité végétale le long d’un gradient altitudinal. De plus, les influences d’une augmentation de la température et d’une réduction des précipitations sont analysées séparément dans une chambre de croissance sous conditions contrôlées, ce qui permet de distinguer leurs effets respectifs sur la productivité des plantes et sur les interactions plantes – mycorhizes.Cette thèse montre que les AMF sont omniprésents dans les écosystèmes de montagne et qu’une diminution de leur abondance avec l'altitude dépend du contexte climatique global. D'autre part, la relation des AMF avec les plantes est fortement dépendante de la plante-hôte, ainsi que du contexte biotique et abiotique. Troisièmement, un changement des interactions AMF-plante avec l'altitude est suggéré par des indices indirects, mais est également très probablement dépendant de l'identité de la plante hôte. Cette thèse propose aussi une nouvelle orientation de recherche pour bien évaluer les hypothèses présentées. Il est nécessaire de réaliser des études sur le terrain où la présence des AMF est contrôlée et les interactions AMF-plante peuvent être évaluées. Afin de généraliser les résultats, ces expérimentations doivent être menées à différentes échelles spatiales et représenter différentes aires géographiques.Il est particulièrement important de comprendre et de qualifier ces processus en zone montagnarde pour prévoir leur évolution possible dans un contexte de changement global. Nos expérimentations montrent en effet que le réchauffement est un facteur important car il aggrave les conditions de sécheresse en basse altitude et entraine une baisse de la productivité des plantes. Nous démontrons que la présence de mycorhizes atténue l’impact du changement climatique sur la productivité des plantes mais que le niveau de cette atténuation varie selon les espèces de plantes.Les connaissances actuelles concernant les AMF en milieu montagnard sont peu développées sur les processus en jeu dans les interactions AMF-plantes. Grâce aux hypothèses présentées et à leur approche expérimentale cette thèse offre de nouvelles perspectives sur l’analyse de ces processus. / Even though arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) are present from foothills to all alpine habitats, research on their role in mountain ecosystems remains incomplete. The main objective of this dissertation was to investigate interactions between AMF and plants along altitudinal gradients under both, natural conditions and simulated future climate change conditions.A novel framework is suggested for the functioning of the AMF-plant relationship along altitudinal gradients based on the stress gradient hypothesis. The first hypothesis expects the AMF-relationship to shift along the mutualism–parasitism continuum following changing environmental stress along the altitudinal gradient. The relationship might be most mutualistic at the subalpine zone. In a second hypothesis, this shift along the mutualism-parasitism continuum is predicted to be different under climate change conditions, and the most mutualistic expression of the AMF-plant relationship expected in the montane and alpine zone. Studies to validate the presented hypotheses will help to identify important mechanisms underlying plant-AMF interaction and with that the mediation of plant-plant interactions by AMF. In the scope of this thesis, the framework was addressed in field experiment as well as under controlled conditions in a climate chamber experiment.From a literature review and from a field experiment along a dry inner-alpine altitudinal gradient this thesis proposes the following conclusions: First, AMF are also ubiquitous in mountain ecosystems, but a decrease in their abundance with increasing altitude is dependent on the overall climatic context. Second, their relationship to plants is however strongly dependent on the host plant species as well as the biotic and abiotic context. Third, a shift of the AMF-relationship along with altitude is expected but will quite possibly also depend on the plant species identity. Fourth, to fully assess the suggested working hypotheses for AMF-plant interactions field studies must be conducted at different spatial scales and covering different mountain systems.It is particularly important to understand and investigate the drivers of AMF plant relationship in mountain ecosystems to be able to make sound predictions for AMF-plant interactions under future climate change conditions. The presented field and climate chamber experiments on climate change show that temperature is an important factor because it aggravates the conditions of drought in lowland and a threshold is surpassed. It becomes also clear that whether AMF mitigate climate change effects for plants or not is dependent on the plant species. Altogether this thesis contributes to current research questions in ecology, climate change mitigation and plant–soil interactions, because it addresses the role of AMF in mountain grassland ecosystem, investigates the effects of climate change and provides a new framework concerning the functioning of the AMF-plant relationship ranging from parasitism to mutualism.