Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (Glomeromycota) of the Vistula Bar

Abstract

The occurrence of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) of the, phylum Glomeromycota associated with plants of maritime sand dunes of the Vistula Bar localed in north-eastern Poland was investigated. The presence of AMF was revealed based on spores isolated from field-collected root-rhizosphere soil mixtures and two-cycle pot trap cultures established with parts of these mixtures. The mixtures came from under five species in four plant families. Spores of AMF occurred in 54.8% of the field samples and belonged to eight species. Additionally, culturing of root-soil mixtures in trap cultures revealed nine species and three undescribed morphotypes carlier not found in the field samples. Considering the number of records of species and morphotypes in the field samples and trap cultures, the fungal species most frequently occurring in dunes of the Vistula Bar is Scutellospora dipurpurescens, followed by Archaeospora trappei, Glomus laccatum, and Scu. armeniaca. The overall average spore abundance in the field samples is low (4.48, range O-3l in 100g dry soil). The ovcrall average species richness determined based on spores from both the field and trap cultures was 2 l and ranged from 0 lo 7 in 100g dry soil. The plant harbouring the highest number of species of AMF was Festuca rubra. Of the maritime dune sites of Poland examined to date, the species composition of AMF of the Vistula Bar is most similar to that of the Słowiński National Park. When the comparisons included 15 maritime dune areas located outside Poland, the highest similarity occurred in the Vistula Bar/Canada comparison.