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Influence of adverse soil conditions on the formation and function of Arbuscular mycorrhizas

La influencia de condiciones adversas de suelo en la formación y función de micorrizas arbusculares

Entry, James A. and Rygiewicz, Paul T. and Watrud, Lidia S. and Donnelly, Paula K. (2002) Influence of adverse soil conditions on the formation and function of Arbuscular mycorrhizas. Advances in Environmental Research. 7:123-138.

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Abstract

The majority of plants have mycorrhizal fungi associated with them. Mycorrhizal fungi are ecologically significant
because they form relationships in and on the roots of a host plant in a symbiotic association. The host plant provides
the fungus with soluble carbon sources, and the fungus provides the host plant with an increased capacity to absorb
water and nutrients from the soil. Adverse conditions are a pervasive feature in both natural and agronomic soils.
The soil environment is constantly changing with regard to moisture, temperature and nutrient availability. In
addition, soil properties are often manipulated to improve crop yields. In many cases, soils may be contaminated
through disposal of chemicals that are toxic to plants and microorganisms. The formation and function of
mycorrhizal relationships are affected by edaphic conditions such as soil composition, moisture, temperature, pH,
cation exchange capacity, and also by anthropogenic stressors including soil compaction, metals and pesticides.
Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi are of interest for their reported roles in alleviation of diverse soil-associated plant
stressors, including those induced by metals and polychlorinated aliphatic and phenolic pollutants. Much mycorrhizal
research has investigated the impact of extremes in water, temperature, pH and inorganic nutrient availability on
mycorrhizal formation and nutrient acquisition. Evaluation of the efficacy of plant–mycorrhizal associations to
remediate soils contaminated with toxic materials deserves increased attention. Before the full potential benefits of
arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi to reclaim contaminated soils can be realized, research advances are needed to improve
our understanding of the physiology of mycorrhizae subjected to adverse physical and chemical conditions. This
paper will review literature and discuss the implications of soil contamination on formation and function of
arbuscular mycorrhizal associations.

Item Type: Article
NWISRL Publication Number: 1082
Subjects: Soil
Mass Import - autoclassified (may be erroneous)
Depositing User: Dan Stieneke
Date Deposited: 20 Nov 2010 21:50
Last Modified: 09 Nov 2016 18:30
Item ID: 143
URI: https://eprints.nwisrl.ars.usda.gov/id/eprint/143