Record ID No. |
1805 |
Author(s) |
Vaidya, G.S., Shrestha, K., Khadge, B.R., Johnson, N.C., Wallander. H , 2008 |
Affiliation |
Lund University, Department of Microbial Ecology, Ecol Bldg, SE-22362 Lund, SWEDEN |
Title |
Organic matter stimulates bacteria and arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi in Bauhinia purpurea and Leucaena diversifolia plantations on eroded slopes in Nepal |
Source. Vol.(no):Page |
Restoration Ecology.16(1):79-87p. |
Categories |
Arbuscular Mycorrhiza |
Subjects |
Biochemistry |
Sub-subjects |
Miscellaneous |
Organism |
n.a. |
Country |
SWEDEN, Europe |
Abstracts |
Erosion resulting from landslides is a serious problem in mountainous countries
such as Nepal. To restore such sites it is essential to establish plant cover that protects the
soil and reduces surface erosion. Mycorrhizal fungi growing in symbiosis with plants are
essential in this respect because they improve both plant nutrient uptake and soil structure. We
investigated the influence of organic matter and P amendment on recently produced biomass of
bacteria and arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi in eroded slopes in Nepal. Eroded soil mixed with
different types of organic matter or P was placed in mesh bags, which were buried around trees of
Bauhinia purpurea and Leucaena diversifolia between June 2003 and December 2003 (the wet season)
or between December 2003 and June 2004 (the dry season). Signature fatty acids were used to
determine bacterial and AM fungal biomass after the 6-month intervals. The amount and composition
of AM fungal spores were analyzed in the mesh bags from the dry season. More microbial biomass
was produced during the wet season than during the dry season. Furthermore, organic matter
addition enhanced the production of AM fungal and bacterial biomass during both periods. The
positive influence of organic matter addition on AM fungi could be an important contribution to
plant survival in plantations on eroded slopes. Different AM spore communities and bacterial
profiles were obtained with different organic amendments and this suggests a possible way of
selecting for specific microbial communities in the management of eroded sites. |