Skip to main content

Advertisement

SpringerLink
Log in

Cumulative effects of tree-based intercropping on arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi

  • Original Paper
  • Published:
Biology and Fertility of Soils Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

In tree-based intercropping system (agroforestry), the role of perennial trees in maintaining active populations and mycelial networks of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) is well documented. Agroforestry positively influences the AMF community, but complete studies regarding mycorrhization in such systems are scarce. The present study was conducted to assess the effect of tree introduction in agriculture fields on mycorrhization. In particular, we investigated the effect of trees on AMF colonization of intercrops and vice versa, the effect of canopy management of trees on their root colonization, and the cross-infectivity of AMF isolated from tree rhizosphere in intercrops and vice versa. The results of the field study suggest that in agroforestry systems, trees acted as AMF inoculum reservoir for intercrops, especially during the rainy season. Intercropping (Phaseolus mungo and Triticum aestivum in the rainy and winter seasons, respectively) increased mycorrhization, i.e., root colonization and spore population in the rhizosphere of Albizia procera and Eucalyptus tereticornis. Canopy management, i.e., shoot pruning, reduces root colonization in A. procera, Anogeissus pendula, Dalbergia sissoo, Hardwickia binata, and Tectona grandis, especially in April 2005 (late spring), but during subsequent periods, differences among the treatments were at par. Results from greenhouse suggest that AMF are nonspecific in their selection of host since species isolated from tree rhizosphere could colonize the roots of crops and vice versa.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Bainard LD, Klironomos JN, Gordon AM (2010) Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi in tree-based intercropping systems: a review of their abundance and diversity. Pedobiologia 54:57–61

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Cardoso IM, Kuyper TW (2006) Mycorrhizas and tropical soil fertility. Agric Ecosyst Environ 116:72–84

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Cardoso IM, Boddington C, Janssen BH, Oenema O, Kuyper TW (2003) Distribution of mycorrhizal fungal spores in soils under agroforestry and monocultural coffee systems in Brazil. Agroforest Syst 58:33–43

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • de Carvalho AMX, de Castro TR, Cardoso IM, Kuyper TW (2010) Mycorrhizal associations in agroforestry systems. In: Dion P (ed) Soil biology, vol. 21. Soil biology and agriculture in the tropics. Springer, Heidelberg, pp 185–208

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  • Dodd JC, Arias I, Koomen I, Hayman DS (1990) The management of populations of vesicular-arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi in acid-infertile soils of a savanna ecosystem. I. The effect of pre-cropping and inoculation with VAM–fungi on plant growth and nutrition in the field. Plant Soil 122:229–240

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Foley JA, De Fries R, Asner GP, Barford C, Bonan G, Carpenter SR, Chapin FS, Coe MT, Daily GC, Gibbs HK, Helkowski JH, Holloway T, Howard EA, Kucharik CJ, Monfreda C, Patz JA, Prentice IC, Ramankutty N, Snyder PK (2005) Global consequences of land use. Science 309:570–574

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Gerdemann JW, Nicolson TH (1963) Spores of mycorrhizal Endogone species extracted from soil by wet sieving and decanting. Trans Br Mycol Soc 46:235–244

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Giovannetti M, Mosse B (1980) An evaluation of techniques for measuring vesicular arbuscular mycorrhizal infection in roots. New Phytol 84:489–500

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Gosling P, Hodge A, Goodlass G, Bending GD (2006) Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi and organic farming. Agric Ecosyst Environ 113:17–35

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hartley SE, Amos L (1999) Competitive interactions between Nardus stricta L. and Calluna vulgaris (L.) Hull: the effect of fertilizer and defoliation on above and below ground performance. J Ecol 87:330–340

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Horton TR, Van der Heijden MGA (2008) The role of symbiosis in seedling establishment and survival. In: Leck MA, Parker MA, Simpson RL (eds) Seedling ecology and evolution. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, pp 189–214

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  • Ingleby K, Wilson EJ, Munro ERC, Cavers S (2007) Mycorrhizas in agroforestry: spread and sharing of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi between trees and crops: complementary use of molecular and microscopic approaches. Plant Soil 294:125–136

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Johnson NC, Pfleger FL (1992) Vesicular arbuscular mycorrhizae and cultural stresses. In: Bethlefalway G et al (eds) VA mycorrhizae in sustainable agriculture. ASA/SSSA Special Publication No. 54. American Society of Agronomy, Madison, pp 71–99

    Google Scholar 

  • Jose S, Gillespie AR, Pallardy SG (2004) Interspecific interactions in temperate agroforestry. Agroforest Syst 61:237–255

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kendrick B, Berch S (1985) Mycorrhizae: applications in agriculture and forestry. In: Robinson CW (ed) Comprehensive biotechnology, vol. 4. Pergamon, Oxford, pp 109–150

    Google Scholar 

  • Koide RT (1998) Ecological considerations of mycorrhizal symbioses. Curr Topics Plant Physiol 19:17–25

    Google Scholar 

  • Kumar A, Shukla A, Hashmi S, Tewari RK (2007) Effect of tree on colonization of intercrops by vesicular arbuscular mycorrhizae in agroforestry system. Ind J Agric Sci 77:291–298

    Google Scholar 

  • Leake J, Johnson D, Donnelly D, Muche G, Boddy L, Read D (2004) Networks of power and influence: the role of mycorrhizal mycelium in controlling plant communities and agroecosystem functioning. Can J Bot 82:1016–1045

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lehmann J, Peter I, Steglich C, Gebauer G, Huwe B, Zech W (1998) Below-ground interactions in dryland agroforestry. For Ecol Manage 111:157–169

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Muleta D, Assefa F, Nemomissa S, Granhall U (2008) Distribution of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi spores in soils of smallholder agroforestry and monocultural coffee systems in southwestern Ethiopia. Biol Fertil Soils 44:653–659

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Namirembe S (1999) Tree shoot pruning to control competition for below ground resources in agroforestry. PhD thesis, University of Wales, Bangor, UK

  • Newman EI (1988) Mycorrhizal links between plants: their functioning and ecological significance. Adv Ecol Res 18:243–270

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Oehl F, Sieverding E, Ineichen K, Mader P, Boller T, Wiemken A (2003) Impact of land use intensity on the species diversity of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi in agroecosystems of Central Europe. App Environ Microbiol 69:2816–2824

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Pande M, Tarafdar JC (2004) Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungal diversity in neem based agroforestry systems in Rajasthan. App Soil Ecol 26:233–241

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Peter I, Lehmann J (2000) Pruning effects on root distribution and nutrient dynamics in an acacia hedgerow planting in northern Kenya. Agroforest Syst 50:59–75

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Phillips JM, Hayman DS (1970) Improved procedure for clearing roots and staining parasitic and vesicular arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi for rapid assessment of infection. Trans Br Mycol Soc 55:158–161

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Piotrowski JS, Rillig MC (2008) Succession of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi: patterns, causes, and considerations for organic agriculture. Adv Agron 97:111–130

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Rajshekhara E, Sreenivasa MN, Bhat RS (1989) Effect of cropping system on vesicular–arbuscular mycorrhizal development in red gram and sunflower. Karnataka J Agric Sci 2:231–233

    Google Scholar 

  • Rillig MC (2004) Arbuscular mycorrhizae and terrestrial ecosystem processes. Ecol Lett 7:740–754

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Rillig MC, Mummey DL (2006) Mycorrhizas and soil structure. New Phytol 171:41–53

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Sanchez P (1995) Science in agroforestry. Agroforest Syst 30:5–55

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Shukla A (2009) Effect of tree introduction in agricultural fields on vesicular arbuscular mycorrhizal status of component crops of agroforestry systems. PhD thesis, Bundelkhand University, Jhansi, India

  • Shukla A, Kumar A, Jha A, Chaturvedi OP, Prasad R, Gupta A (2009) Effects of shade on arbuscular mycorrhizal colonization and growth of crops and tree seedlings in Central India. Agroforest Syst 76:95–109

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Shukla A, Kumar A, Jha A, Ajit, Rao DVKN (2012) Phosphorus threshold for arbuscular mycorrhizal colonization of crops and tree seedlings. Biol Fertil Soils 48:109–116

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Sieverding E (1991) Vesicular arbuscular mycorrhiza management in tropical agrosystems. GTZ, Rossdorf

    Google Scholar 

  • Sieverding E, Leihner DE (1984) Influence of crop rotation and intercropping of cassava with legumes on VA mycorrhizal symbiosis of cassava. Plant Soil 80:143–146

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Simard SW, Durall DM (2004) Mycorrhizal networks: a review of their extent, function, and importance. Can J Bot 82:1140–1165

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Smith SE, Read DJ (2008) Mycorrhizal symbiosis. Academic, London

    Google Scholar 

  • Theuerl S, Buscot F (2010) Laccases: toward disentangling their diversity and functions in relation to soil organic matter cycling. Biol Fertil Soils 46:215–226

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Tilman D, Cassman KG, Matson PA, Naylor R, Polasky S (2002) Agricultural sustainability and intensive production practices. Nature 418:671–677

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Troeh ZI, Loynachan TE (2003) Endomycorrhizal fungal survival in continuous corn, soybean, and fallow. Agron J 95:224–230

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Van der Heijden MGA, Horton TR (2009) Socialism in soil? The importance of mycorrhizal fungal networks for facilitation in natural ecosystems. J Ecol 97:1139–1150

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Whitbeck JL (2001) Effects of light environment on vesicular–arbuscular mycorrhiza development in Inga leiocalycina, a tropical wet forest tree. Biotropica 33:303–311

    Google Scholar 

  • Wilkinson L, Coward M (2004) Linear models III—general linear models. In: SYSTAT II statistics II. SYSTAT Software Inc., Richmond

  • Young A (1997) Agroforestry for soil management, 2nd edn. CAB International, Wallingford

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgments

The authors are very thankful to the Director, NRCAF, Jhansi, India, for facilitating the research program and constant encouragement during the study period. Thanks are also due to anonymous reviewers for critical comments and suggestions. Ashok Shukla acknowledges funding through University Grants Commission’s Dr. DS Kothari Post Doctoral Fellowship Scheme, New Delhi, India, during the preparation of this paper.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. National Research Centre for Agroforestry, Opposite Pahuj Dam, Gwalior Road, Jhansi, Uttar Pradesh, 284 003, India

    Ashok Shukla, Anil Kumar, Anuradha Jha & Shiv Kumar Dhyani

  2. Lab of Microbial Technology and Plant Pathology, Department of Botany, Dr HS Gour Central University, Sagar, Madhya Pradesh, 470 003, India

    Ashok Shukla & Deepak Vyas

Authors
  1. Ashok Shukla
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Anil Kumar
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Anuradha Jha
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Shiv Kumar Dhyani
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. Deepak Vyas
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Ashok Shukla.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Shukla, A., Kumar, A., Jha, A. et al. Cumulative effects of tree-based intercropping on arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi. Biol Fertil Soils 48, 899–909 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00374-012-0682-5

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Revised:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00374-012-0682-5

Keywords

Search

Navigation