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AMF colonization affects allelopathic effects of Zea mays L. root exudates and community structure of rhizosphere

Junqing Ma1,2,3, Yi Xie3, Yisen Yang1,2

  • 1Guangxi Key Laboratory of Agro-environment and Agric-products safety, College of Agriculture, Guangxi University, Nanning, Guangxi, China.

Frontiers in Plant Science
|December 12, 2022
PubMed

Insights

Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) alter maize root exudates, reducing their inhibitory effects on other plants. AMF colonization also enhances soil enzyme activity and disease pathogen resistance in maize rhizosphere.

Area of Science:

  • Soil microbiology
  • Plant-fungal interactions
  • Biogeochemistry

Background:

  • Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) are ubiquitous soil symbionts.
  • AMF influence host root exudates, impacting soil microbial communities and enzyme activities.
  • The downstream effects of AMF-induced changes in root exudates remain underexplored.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the impact of AMF colonization on maize root exudate composition.
  • To assess the allelopathic effects of AMF-modified root exudates on recipient plants.
  • To analyze changes in soil enzyme activities and bacterial diversity in the maize rhizosphere.

Main Methods:

  • Quantification of root exudate compounds using chromatography.
  • Allelopathic assays on seed germination and seedling growth of various plant species.
  • Measurement of soil enzyme activities (dehydrogenase, sucrase, cellulase, etc.).
  • Analysis of bacterial diversity and abundance in rhizosphere soil.

Main Results:

  • AMF colonization significantly altered the composition of 35 compounds in maize root exudates.
  • AMF alleviated the inhibitory allelopathic effects of maize root exudates on radish, cucumber, lettuce, pepper, and ryegrass.
  • AMF enhanced the inhibitory effect of root exudates on soil-borne disease pathogens.
  • Rhizosphere soil enzyme activities increased significantly post-AMF colonization.
  • Bacterial diversity decreased, but bacterial abundance increased in the AMF-colonized rhizosphere.

Conclusions:

  • AMF colonization modifies maize root exudates, reducing their negative impacts on neighboring plants.
  • AMF enhance the beneficial properties of maize root exudates, including pathogen inhibition.
  • AMF colonization positively influences soil enzyme activity and bacterial community structure in the maize rhizosphere.
  • Findings support AMF application for improving maize cultivation practices, such as stubble management and intercropping, and for disease control.
Keywords:
AMFallelopathybacterial diversityroot exudatessoil enzyme vigor

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