Ectomycorrhizas in association with Pinus patula in Sabie, South Africa
- Hawley, Greer L, Taylor, A F S, Dames, Joanna F
- Authors: Hawley, Greer L , Taylor, A F S , Dames, Joanna F
- Date: 2008
- Language: English
- Type: Article
- Identifier: vital:6475 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1006163 , http://www.scielo.org.za/scielo.php?pid=S0038-23532008000400011&script=sci_arttext
- Description: Forestry is an economically important industry in South Africa,involving extensive exotic plantations of Eucalyptus, Pinus and Acacia species. These tree species have fungal associations, such as ectomycorrhizas, that have become locally naturalized. The forestry industry is increasingly faced with problems of long-term sustainability, increasing soil acidity and depletion of soil nutrients. It is, therefore, essential that the fundamental importance of the ectomycorrhizal (ECM) symbioses in the nutrient cycling, growth, health and survival of these tree species should not be ignored. Research on the species diversity of ECM fungi associated with forestry plant species has been hampered by the difficulty of identifying the fungi involved in the symbiosis. This investigation focused on the ECM fungi associated with Pinus patula (Schlecht. et Cham.) grown in managed plantations in the Sabie region, Mpumalanga province, South Africa. ECM roots were morphotyped and DNA was extracted. The internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region was amplified using the ITS 1F and ITS 4 primers. The sequences were BLASTed using the GenBank and UNITE databases. Twenty-seven extractions were successfully amplified representing 17 different morphotypes. Of the 27 sequences, 21 were identified as ECM fungi and, from the BLAST results, eleven different ECM species could be identified. Selected ECM root types were morphologically and anatomically described according to root morphology, mantle structure, specialized hyphae and rhizomorph arrangement. Seven dominant field types were described and identified as two Amanita species, Scleroderma citrinum, a suilloid species, Thelephora terrestris, a tometelloid species and one resembled an Albatrellus species.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2008
- Authors: Hawley, Greer L , Taylor, A F S , Dames, Joanna F
- Date: 2008
- Language: English
- Type: Article
- Identifier: vital:6475 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1006163 , http://www.scielo.org.za/scielo.php?pid=S0038-23532008000400011&script=sci_arttext
- Description: Forestry is an economically important industry in South Africa,involving extensive exotic plantations of Eucalyptus, Pinus and Acacia species. These tree species have fungal associations, such as ectomycorrhizas, that have become locally naturalized. The forestry industry is increasingly faced with problems of long-term sustainability, increasing soil acidity and depletion of soil nutrients. It is, therefore, essential that the fundamental importance of the ectomycorrhizal (ECM) symbioses in the nutrient cycling, growth, health and survival of these tree species should not be ignored. Research on the species diversity of ECM fungi associated with forestry plant species has been hampered by the difficulty of identifying the fungi involved in the symbiosis. This investigation focused on the ECM fungi associated with Pinus patula (Schlecht. et Cham.) grown in managed plantations in the Sabie region, Mpumalanga province, South Africa. ECM roots were morphotyped and DNA was extracted. The internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region was amplified using the ITS 1F and ITS 4 primers. The sequences were BLASTed using the GenBank and UNITE databases. Twenty-seven extractions were successfully amplified representing 17 different morphotypes. Of the 27 sequences, 21 were identified as ECM fungi and, from the BLAST results, eleven different ECM species could be identified. Selected ECM root types were morphologically and anatomically described according to root morphology, mantle structure, specialized hyphae and rhizomorph arrangement. Seven dominant field types were described and identified as two Amanita species, Scleroderma citrinum, a suilloid species, Thelephora terrestris, a tometelloid species and one resembled an Albatrellus species.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2008
Mycorrhizal status of indigenous tree species in a forest biome of the Eastern Cape, South Africa
- Hawley, Greer L, Dames, Joanna F
- Authors: Hawley, Greer L , Dames, Joanna F
- Date: 2004
- Language: English
- Type: Article
- Identifier: vital:6458 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1005774
- Description: Mycorrhizal fungi are intimately associated with plant roots, affecting plant growth, health and increasing the plants' tolerance to environmental stress. Several mycorrhizal types are recognized based primarily on morphological characteristics within plant roots. When considering propagation and management of an indigenous plant species, it is essential to know its mycorrhizal status. Root samples from 17 tree species common to the pockets of forest in the Eastern Cape province, and representing the families Rubiaceae, Scrophulariaceae, Oleaceae, Podocarpaceae, Myrsinaceae, Anacardiaceae, Caesalpinoideae, Papilionoideae, Rutaceae, Meliaceae, Celastraceae, Flacouticeae and Ebenaceae, were sampled and examined for mycorrhizal colonization. Microscopic examination of all the species produced evidence of morphological structures indicative of endomycorrhizal associations as indicated by the presence of intercellular hyphae combined with vesicles, arbuscules or hyphal coils. Hyphal coils (also known as Paris-type associations) appeared to be abundant, especially within the Cassine genus. Arbuscules (also known as Arum-type associations) were scarce but sometimes present, and vesicles were prolific in Olea capensis. Most of the tree species examined have been assigned arbuscular mycorrhizal status. No ectomycorrhizal associations were recorded
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2004
- Authors: Hawley, Greer L , Dames, Joanna F
- Date: 2004
- Language: English
- Type: Article
- Identifier: vital:6458 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1005774
- Description: Mycorrhizal fungi are intimately associated with plant roots, affecting plant growth, health and increasing the plants' tolerance to environmental stress. Several mycorrhizal types are recognized based primarily on morphological characteristics within plant roots. When considering propagation and management of an indigenous plant species, it is essential to know its mycorrhizal status. Root samples from 17 tree species common to the pockets of forest in the Eastern Cape province, and representing the families Rubiaceae, Scrophulariaceae, Oleaceae, Podocarpaceae, Myrsinaceae, Anacardiaceae, Caesalpinoideae, Papilionoideae, Rutaceae, Meliaceae, Celastraceae, Flacouticeae and Ebenaceae, were sampled and examined for mycorrhizal colonization. Microscopic examination of all the species produced evidence of morphological structures indicative of endomycorrhizal associations as indicated by the presence of intercellular hyphae combined with vesicles, arbuscules or hyphal coils. Hyphal coils (also known as Paris-type associations) appeared to be abundant, especially within the Cassine genus. Arbuscules (also known as Arum-type associations) were scarce but sometimes present, and vesicles were prolific in Olea capensis. Most of the tree species examined have been assigned arbuscular mycorrhizal status. No ectomycorrhizal associations were recorded
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2004
Quantification of the photosynthetic performance of phosphorus-deficient Sorghum by means of chlorophyll-a fluorescence kinetics
- Ripley, Bradford S, Redfern, S P, Dames, Joanna F
- Authors: Ripley, Bradford S , Redfern, S P , Dames, Joanna F
- Date: 2004
- Language: English
- Type: Article
- Identifier: vital:6456 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1004464
- Description: Chlorophyll fluorescence induction curves have been used as a sensitive tool for screening the photosynthetic performance of plants. Experimental treatments involving nitrate supply and chilling stress have been shown to affect fluorescence induction curves and other measures of photosynthesis. We have investigated the photosynthetic performance of Sorghum bicolor supplied with Long Ashton growth solution containing standard (20 μmol mol^(–1)) or low (5 μmol mol^(–1)) phosphorus. The JIP-test based on the chlorophyll fluorescence induction curve was used as a non-destructive method to measure the relative proportions of energy dissipated by different processes (termed energy fluxes) in the light reactions. The various energy fluxes or derived parameters were compared to find the measures that were most sensitive to the experimental conditions. Plant response to treatments was first evident in selected chlorophyll fluorescence parameters, particularly performance index (PI_ABS_); plants with increased PI_ABS_ manifested higher electron transport activity and dissipated less energy as heat, possibly as a result of their better phosphorus status, leading to more functional reaction centres. Observed changes in fluorescence were correlated to changes in gas exchange and biomass. Standard phosphorus treatments significantly increased biomass, leaf area, photosynthetic and respiratory rates, carboxylation efficiencies and levels of ribulose biphosphate regeneration rates, relative to plants with low supplies of nutrients.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2004
- Authors: Ripley, Bradford S , Redfern, S P , Dames, Joanna F
- Date: 2004
- Language: English
- Type: Article
- Identifier: vital:6456 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1004464
- Description: Chlorophyll fluorescence induction curves have been used as a sensitive tool for screening the photosynthetic performance of plants. Experimental treatments involving nitrate supply and chilling stress have been shown to affect fluorescence induction curves and other measures of photosynthesis. We have investigated the photosynthetic performance of Sorghum bicolor supplied with Long Ashton growth solution containing standard (20 μmol mol^(–1)) or low (5 μmol mol^(–1)) phosphorus. The JIP-test based on the chlorophyll fluorescence induction curve was used as a non-destructive method to measure the relative proportions of energy dissipated by different processes (termed energy fluxes) in the light reactions. The various energy fluxes or derived parameters were compared to find the measures that were most sensitive to the experimental conditions. Plant response to treatments was first evident in selected chlorophyll fluorescence parameters, particularly performance index (PI_ABS_); plants with increased PI_ABS_ manifested higher electron transport activity and dissipated less energy as heat, possibly as a result of their better phosphorus status, leading to more functional reaction centres. Observed changes in fluorescence were correlated to changes in gas exchange and biomass. Standard phosphorus treatments significantly increased biomass, leaf area, photosynthetic and respiratory rates, carboxylation efficiencies and levels of ribulose biphosphate regeneration rates, relative to plants with low supplies of nutrients.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2004
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