Temperature stress in arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi: a test for adaptation to soil temperature in three isolates of Funneliformis mosseae from different climates

Authors

• Mayra E. Gavito Centro de Investigaciones en Ecosistemas, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México. Apartado Postal 27–3. Santa María de Guido. CP 58090. Morelia, Michoacán, Mexico.
• Concepción Azcón–Aguilar Departamento de Microbiología del Suelo y Sistemas Simbióticos, Estación Experimental del Zaidín, CSIC. C/Profesor Albareda 1, E–18008 Granada, Spain

DOI: https://doi.org/10.23986/afsci.4994

Keywords:

adaptation, climate, mycorrhiza, soil, stress, temperature

Abstract

Climate change may impose stimulations or constraints on the mycorrhizal symbiosis by increasing and fluctuating temperatures. We conducted a study to compare the soil temperature response curves (6, 12, 18, and 24 ^oC) of three isolates of Funneliformis mosseae from different regions and climates (Finland, Denmark, Spain), to test if the isolates from cold environments were able to grow better at lower temperatures and the isolates from warmer environments grew better at higher temperatures. The results provided clear evidence suggesting no adaptation to soil temperature in these AMF isolates. All isolates showed reduced development and very little external mycelium growth at 6 and 12 ^oC, and similar increased development with increasing soil temperature.  These results suggest that AMF have a narrow window to develop in cold regions where temperatures below 15 ^oC prevail.