![Sample our Environment & Agriculture journals, sign in here to start your access, latest two full volumes FREE to you for 14 days]({"type":"image" , "src" : "/sda/5934/TOC-Subject-Sample-2021-Environment-Agriculture.jpg"})
Abstract
The growth dynamics of extraradical mycelium and spore formation of 14 “Rhizophagus” isolates from different sites in Argentina were evaluated under monoxenic conditions. A modified Gompertz model was used to characterize the development of mycelium and spores for each isolate under the same conditions. The lag time, maximal growth rate and total quantity of both extraradical hyphae and spores were determined. Wide variability among isolates was detected, and all growth parameters were significantly altered by fungal isolate. Discriminant analysis differentiated isolates primarily based on the extent of extraradical hyphae produced, yet such differences did not conclusively correspond to phylogenetic relationships among closely related isolates based on partial SSU sequences. Given that the “Rhizophagus” isolates were grown under controlled conditions for many generations, the expression of phenotypic variability could be attributed to genetic differences that are not completely resolved by phylogenetic analysis employing the small ribosomal gene.
Acknowledgments
We specially thank Dra Gisela Cuenca and her laboratory staff for helping us with Rhizophagus morphological characterization and Prof R. Larry Peterson (University of Guelph, Canada) for editing the English. We appreciate the valuable comments and suggestions of Associate Editor R. Paul Schreiner and reviewers that have substantially improved our manuscript. We also thank Dr Sergio Ghío for technical assistance and Lic. Rothen Carolina for her help in creating . We also gratefully acknowledge financial support from Universidad de Buenos Aires, Agencia Nacional de Promoción Científica y Tecnológica and Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas.