Mycorrhizal Patterns in the Roots of Dominant Festuca rubra in a High-Natural-Value Grassland

Corcoz, Larisa and Păcurar, Florin and Pop-Moldovan, Victoria and Vaida, Ioana and Stoian, Vlad and Vidican, Roxana (2021) Mycorrhizal Patterns in the Roots of Dominant Festuca rubra in a High-Natural-Value Grassland. Plants, 11 (1). p. 112. ISSN 2223-7747

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Abstract

Grassland ecosystems occupy significant areas worldwide and represent a reservoir for biodiversity. These areas are characterized by oligotrophic conditions that stimulate mycorrhizal symbiotic partnerships to meet nutritional requirements. In this study, we selected Festuca rubra for its dominance in the studied mountain grassland, based on the fact that grasses more easily accept a symbiotic partner. Quantification of the entire symbiosis process, both the degree of colonization and the presence of a fungal structure, was performed using the root mycorrhizal pattern method. Analysis of data normality indicated colonization frequency as the best parameter for assessing the entire mycorrhizal mechanism, with five equal levels, each of 20%. Most of the root samples showed an intensity of colonization between 0 and 20% and a maximum of arbuscules of about 5%. The colonization degree had an average value of 35%, which indicated a medium permissiveness of roots for mycorrhizal partners. Based on frequency regression models, the intensity of colonization presented high fluctuations at 50% frequency, while the arbuscule development potential was set to a maximum of 5% in mycorrhized areas. Arbuscules were limited due to the unbalanced and unequal root development and their colonizing hyphal networks. The general regression model indicated that only 20% of intra-radicular hyphae have the potential to form arbuscules. The colonization patterns of dominant species in mountain grasslands represent a necessary step for improved understanding of the symbiont strategies that sustain the stability and persistence of these species.

Item Type: Article
Uncontrolled Keywords: plant–fungal interaction; grassland ecosystem; symbiosis; mycorrhizal maps; fungal strategy; MycoPatt; colonization patterns
Subjects: Science Repository > Agricultural and Food Science
Depositing User: Managing Editor
Date Deposited: 08 Nov 2022 04:23
Last Modified: 06 Sep 2023 04:14
URI: http://research.manuscritpub.com/id/eprint/64

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