Abstract Detail

Symbioses: Plant, Animal, and Microbe Interactions

Wachocki, Barbara [1], Sondossi, Mohammad [2].

Extent of fungal symbiosis in Halogeton glomeratus.

Invasive species in a plant community cannot only alter the make-up of the plant community, but can also affect the soil microbial make-up as well. In a previous study (Duda et al. 2003) community level physiological profile, based on carbon substrate utilization, plant distribution within the study area, as well as soil density was used to speculate how Halogeton competes with native plants. The present study focuses on the culturable microbial densities in the soil of communities of Halogeton, winterfat (Krascheninnikovia lanata), and the ecotone between the two plant communities. Minimal differences in the microbial densities were observed (bacterial, actinomycetes, and fungal). Minor changes in soil chemistry, although significant in statistical analysis, are well within the tolerance ranges of microbial populations inhabiting the soil. The role of symbiotic microbes in plant tolerance to environmental stress and survival is another possibility in the success and invasiveness of Halogeton. Although mycorrhizal interactions in Halogeton have not been reported, a novel collection method utilized here enabled us to establish the presence of mycorrhizal associations with Halogeton roots. Furthermore, the presence of fungal symbionts associated with aerial parts (leaves, stems, and seeds) was confirmed and shown with SEM. A culturable seed-borne fungal isolate was identified as a Pleosporales sp. Similar species have been reported to associate with the seeds of Atriplex.

1 - Weber State University, Botany, 1415 Edvalson Street, Department 2504, Ogden, Utah, 84408-2504, United States
2 - Weber State University, 1415 Edvalson Street, Department 2506, Ogden, Utah, 84408-2506, United States

Keywords:
Halogeton
symbiosis
mycorrhizal .

Presentation Type: Poster:Posters for Topics
Session: P
Location: Hall D/The Shaw Conference Centre
Date: Monday, July 27th, 2015
Time: 5:30 PM
Number: PSB011
Abstract ID:1152
Candidate for Awards:None