Occurrence of Glomeromycota spores and some arbuscular mycorrhiza fungal species in arable fields in Sweden

Abstract

Fungi within the phylum Glomeromycota were investigated in arable fields throughout Sweden. Sweden is located between 55° and 69° North. The fungi within this phylum form arbuscular mycorrhizal symbiosis with plant roots. Sampling of soil was carried out to a depth of 30 cm in the rhizosphere. Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi were found at all 45 sampling sites, at densities between 3 and 44 spores per g dry weight of soil. No significant differences in spore densities were found between different agro-climatic zones or between semi-natural grassland and ploughed fields. Our study revealed that the upper half (0–15 cm) of the soil profiles had significantly more spores than the lower half (15–30 cm). Spores from eight sampling sites were identified from the indigenous soils. Almost 90% were shown to belong to the genus Glomus. The other genera found were Gigaspora and Scutellospora.

Keywords:

• cultivation systems
• soil profile
• spore density
• temperate climate

Acknowledgments

The study was financially supported by the Swedish Farmers Foundation for Agricultural research (SLF), Stockholm. We thank Ms Reena Singh, Teri, New Delhi, India, for all help with identification of spores, and Dr. Stig Olsson for statistical analyses. We also extend special thanks to the personnel at the county administrative boards for their help in finding appropriate semi-natural grasslands, and to farmers and personnel at the sampling sites, and Mrs. Marianne Sjöberg for help during the sampling.

Notes

Sjöberg, J., Persson, P., Mårtensson, A., Mattsson, L., Adholeya, A. and Alström, S. (Department of Ecology and Crop Production Science, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Box 7043, SE-750 07 Sweden, Department of Soil Sciences, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Box 7014, SE-750 07 Sweden and Centre for Mycorrhizal Research, Teri, Darbari Seth Block, Habitat Place, Lodhi Road, New Delhi IN-110 003, India). Occurrence of Glomeromycota spores and some arbuscular mycorrhiza fungal species in arable fields in Sweden.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Johanna Sjöberg

Sjöberg, J., Persson, P., Mårtensson, A., Mattsson, L., Adholeya, A. and Alström, S. (Department of Ecology and Crop Production Science, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Box 7043, SE-750 07 Sweden, Department of Soil Sciences, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Box 7014, SE-750 07 Sweden and Centre for Mycorrhizal Research, Teri, Darbari Seth Block, Habitat Place, Lodhi Road, New Delhi IN-110 003, India). Occurrence of Glomeromycota spores and some arbuscular mycorrhiza fungal species in arable fields in Sweden.