Vesicular–arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi associated with native tall grass prairie and cultivated winter wheat

Abstract

More vesicular–arbuscular mycorrhizal (VAM) fungal species and significantly more fungal spores were recovered from undisturbed prairie soils than four winter wheat field soils in Kansas through the 1980–1981 growing season. Two previously undescribed sporocarpic species of Endogonaceae were found in prairie samples but have not been successfully established in pot culture, leaving the genus to which they belong unclear. Though variable, 11–50% VAM root colonization was evident in all prairie grass roots sampled throughout the year. In contrast, no identifiable VAM root colonization was evident in wheat until May after flowering when 27% root colonization was observed. During the 1981–1982 growing season, roots of two other wheat fields were sampled with similar results. No colonization occurred until May when 8% root colonization was evident. The possible influence of such low levels of root colonization occurring quite late in the growing season of winter wheat is discussed.