International Journal of BiodiversityVolume 2013 (2013), Article ID 196527, 7 pageshttp://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2013/196527

Research Article

Seasonal Diversity of Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi in Mangroves of Goa, India

James D’Souza and Bernard Felinov Rodrigues

Department of Botany, Goa University, Taleigao, Goa 403 206, India

Received 27 September 2012; Revised 24 November 2012; Accepted 31 December 2012

Academic Editor: Curtis C. Daehler

Copyright © 2013 James D’Souza and Bernard Felinov Rodrigues. This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.

Abstract.

Seasonal dynamics of arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungal community composition in three common mangrove plant species, namely, Acanthus ilicifolius, Excoecaria agallocha, and Rhizophora mucronata, from two sites in Goa, India, were investigated. In all three species variation in AM fungal spore density was observed. Maximum spore density and AM species richness were recorded in the premonsoon season, while minimum spore density and richness were observed during monsoon season at both sites. A total of 11 AM fungal species representing five genera were recorded. Acaulospora laevis was recorded in all seasons at both sites. Multivariate analysis revealed that season and host coaffected AM spore density and species richness with the former having greater influence than the latter.

1. Introduction

Mangroves are a type of coastal woody vegetation that fringes muddy saline shores and estuaries in tropical and subtropical regions [1]. They are characterized by high levels of productivity and fulfill essential ecological functions, harbouring precious natural resources [2]. Mangroves have become the center of many conservation and environmental issues because of the beneficial effects they have on the coastal environment. Recent evidence suggests that growth of mangroves is limited primarily by phosphorus (P) availability as it is adsorbed and coprecipitated within carbonate-dominated environments [3]. Phosphate solubilizers, N fixers, and AM fungi are known to interact in the rhizosphere soils [4] where hyphae of AM fungi assist in accessing nutrients by extending beyond the root depletion zone [5]. These fungi also alleviate salt stress and aid physiological processes such as osmotic adjustment via accumulation of soluble sugars in root cells [6] and contribute to the nutritional status of plants [7]. They play a crucial role in determining plant diversity, production, and species composition [8]. The seasons are a result of the tilt of Earth’s axis that causes variation in environmental conditions and spore density, and community composition of AM fungi are influenced by these changes. To understand the ecology and function of plant-fungus associations in natural ecosystems, it is necessary to clarify seasonal diversity of AM fungi, providing insight into the factors and processes regulating ecosystem development [9]. Studies on the occurrence and diversity of AM fungi from different mangrove plants have been documented [2, 10]. However, no studies have been reported on the seasonal dynamics of AM fungi in mangroves. In this paper, spore density and species richness pattern of AM fungi in relation to seasons have been elucidated.

2. Methodology

2.1. Study Sites and Sample Collection

Two study sites, namely, Terekhol (15°72′28′′N and 73°72′99′′E) with a stretch of 28 Km and Zuari (15°32′56′′N and 73°89′71′′E) having 67 Km, were selected for the study. Three dominant plant species, namely, Acanthus ilicifolius L. (Acanthaceae), Excoecaria agallocha L. (Euphorbiaceae), and Rhizophora mucronata Poir. (Rhizophoraceae), common to the two sites, were undertaken for the study. The tropical environment at both sites is warm and humid, with marshy soils. Mean temperature range is 22–35°C and average annual rainfall 2500 mm. Mangroves species were identified using the local floras [11]. Rhizosphere soil samples were randomly collected in the premonsoon (March 2009–May 2009), monsoon (July 2009–Sep 2009), and postmonsoon (Oct 2009–Feb 2010) seasons from the two sites. The samples were placed in polyethylene bags, transported to the laboratory, and stored at 4°C until processed. Rhizosphere soil of individual plants was air dried at room temperature, sieved (mesh size 720 μ), and divided into two parts, one for isolation, enumeration, and identification of AM spores and the other for preparation of trap cultures.

2.2. Soil Analyses

Three soil samples from each of the study site were separately collected in polyethylene bags from a depth of 0–25 cm, air dried in the laboratory before passing through a 2 mm sieve, and mixed thoroughly to obtain a composite sample. Soil pH was measured in soil water (1 : 2) suspension using a pH meter (LI 120 Elico, India). Electrical Conductivity (EC) was measured at room temperature in 1 : 5 soil suspension, using a conductivity meter (CM-180 Elico, India). Standard soil analysis techniques, namely, Walkley and Black rapid titration method [12] and Bray and Kurtz method [13], were employed for determination of organic carbon and available P, respectively. Available potassium was estimated by ammonium acetate method [14] using a flame photometer (Systronic 3292). Available zinc (Zn), copper (Cu), manganese (Mn), and iron (Fe) were quantified by DTPA-CaCl₂-TEA method [15] using an Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer (AAS 4139).

2.3. Trap Cultures, Isolation, and Taxonomic Identification of AM Fungal Spores

For identification of AM species, trap cultures were prepared in pots using field soil and sterile sand (1 : 1). Solenostemon scutellarioides (L.) Codd was used as the catch plant and the pots were maintained in a polyhouse at 27°C. All cultures were provided a 14 h day/10 h night photoperiod for six months. The pots were watered when required, and Hoagland’s solution minus P was added fortnightly. Intact and nonparasitized spores used for identification, obtained from both rhizosphere soil samples and trap cultures, were isolated using wet sieving and decanting technique [16]. Identification was based on spore morphology and subcellular characteristics [17, 18].

2.4. Diversity Studies and Statistical Analysis

Diversity studies were conducted for each site separately by calculating Simpson’s Index of Diversity    [19] , where (, the relative abundance (RA) of the species calculated as the proportion of individuals of a given species to the total number of individuals in a community,  ). Shannon diversity index is commonly used to characterize species diversity in a community, accounting for both abundance and evenness of the species present, [20]. Species richness (SR) is the number of species present. Species evenness (), which indicates the distribution of individuals within species, was calculated by using the following formula: , where .

Pearson’s correlation coefficient was calculated to assess the relationship between spore density and species richness at each site, using WASP software (Web Based Agricultural package) 2.0 (). Relative abundance of AM fungal species common to all seasons was correlated with soil pH, P, and EC (). Data on seasons and host coaffect the AM fungal spore density, species richness, and Shannon-Weiner diversity index was analyzed using multivariate analysis of variance (MANOVA). The statistically significant difference was determined at .

3. Results

3.1. Soil Analyses

Results of the soil physicochemical analyses are depicted in Table 1. The study revealed acidic soils (pH range 5.5–6.8) at both sites. Electrical Conductivity (EC) ranged from 4.03 to 8.49 dSm⁻¹. Organic carbon content was higher in the premonsoon season at both study sites. Soils at both sites were deficient in P. Levels of micronutrients such as Cu, Zn, Mn, and Fe varied between the two study sites.

Table 1: Soil physicochemical analyses of the study sites.

Soil characteristics
Premonsoon
Monsoon
Postmonsoon

Terekhol
Zuari
Terekhol
Zuari
Terekhol
Zuari

pH

EC (dSm⁻¹)

OC (%)

P (g/kg)

K (g/kg)

N (g/kg)

Zn (g/kg)

Mn (g/kg)

Cu (g/kg)

Fe (g/kg)

Data presented are means of three readings at each season; ± indicates S.E.

3.2. AM Fungal Spore Density

Sitewise results of the seasonal variations in spore density of AM fungi in the three mangrove plant species undertaken for the study are depicted in Table 2. Spore density varied significantly between the seasons and mangrove species. At both sites the mean spore density was significantly higher in the premonsoon season compared to monsoon and postmonsoon seasons (Figure 1). Maximum spore density was recorded for A. ilicifolius (230 spores 100 g⁻¹) at the Terekhol site, while maximum spore density was recorded for E. agallocha (186 spores 100 g⁻¹) at the Zuari site. Minimum spore density was recorded for R. mucronata at both sites.

Table 2: Seasonal variation in spore density of AM fungi in selected mangrove plant species at two study sites.

Sr. no.
Plant species
Spore density (spores100 g⁻¹ of soil)

Terekhol site
Zuari site

1
Acanthus ilicifolius L.a

Premonsoon season
a
a

Monsoon season
c
c

Postmonsoon season
b
b

2
Excoecaria agallocha L.b

Premonsoon season
a
a

Monsoon season
c
c

Postmonsoon season
b
b

3
Rhizophora mucronata Poir.c

Premonsoon season
a
b

Monsoon season
c
b

Postmonsoon season
a
a

Means in a column for a mangrove species followed by a different superscripts indicate significant differences ( for each season, overall, ).

Figure 1: Mean spore density in rhizosphere soils of mangrove plant species in different seasons at the two study sites.

3.3. Distribution and Relative Abundance (RA) of AM Species

A total of 11 AM fungal species representing five genera were recorded. Glomus was the dominant genus followed by Acaulospora, Rhizophagus, Funneliformis, and Racocetra. In the present study two sporocarp species were recovered, G. aggregatum and G. rubiforme. Identification of AM fungal species was confirmed by trap culture method where no additional AM fungal species were recovered. Within AM species the highest RA was recorded for R. intraradices followed by A. scrobiculata, A. laevis, and A. bireticulata, and the lowest RA was recorded for R. gregaria. Acaulospora laevis was recovered in all three seasons, R. intraradices, and R. gregaria were recorded in two seasons from both sites, while G. nanolumen, R. fasciculatus, and G. multicaule were recorded in only one season from either site (Table 3). In the present study RA of dominant AM fungal species showed no significant correlation with soil pH, P, or EC values () (Table 4).

Table 3: Seasonal variation in relative abundance of AM fungi in the selected study sites.

AM fungal species
Premonsoon
Monsoon
Postmonsoon

Terekhol
Zuari
Terekhol
Zuari
Terekhol
Zuari

Rhizophagus intraradices (Schenck and Smith) Walker and Schüβler
18.68
15.71
58.82
42.16
—
—

Glomus multicaule Gerdemann and Bakshi
14.14
—
—
—
—
—

Glomus aggregatum Schenck and Smith
—
10.72
10.29
—
—
15.64

Rhizophagus fasciculatus (Thaxter) Walker and Schüβler
—
—
—
—
20.42
—

Funneliformis geosporum (Nicol. and Gerd.) Walker and Schüβler
—
—
—
—
7.04
16.32

Glomus nanolumen Koske and Gemma
9.84
—
—

—
—

Glomus rubiforme Gerdemann and Trappe
—
13.24
—
25.30
—
—

Acaulospora bireticulata Rothwell and Trappe
8.83
31.67

—
—
—

Acaulospora laevis Gerdemann and Trappe
9.84
33.41
30.88
32.53
23.94
25.85

Acaulospora scrobiculata Trappe
33.83
—
—
—
35.91
48.97

Racocetra gregaria (Schenck and Nicolson) Oehl, Souza, and Sieverd
4.79
5.23
—
—
12.67
8.84

All values are means of the composite sample of three plant species for each season.

Table 4: Pearson’s correlation coefficient ( value) between relative abundance of dominant AM fungal species and soil pH, P, and EC at the two study sites.

Ecological parameters
Terekhol site
Zuari site

Premonsoon
Monsoon
Postmonsoon
Premonsoon
Monsoon
Postmonsoon

RA versus soil pH
0.535
0.071
0.393
0.070
0.475
0.327

RA versus P
0.423
0.475
0.417
0.429
0.563
0.311

RA versus EC
0.512
0.326
0.418
0.419
0.375
0.426

RA: relative abundance; P: soil phosphorus; EC: electrical conductivity. (); all values are means of the composite sample of three plant species for each season.

3.4. AM Fungal Species Richness and Species Evenness

Species richness in combined sites was maximum in premonsoon (9 species) and minimum in the monsoon season (4 species). Correlation analysis indicated that the spore density in premonsoon was significantly correlated with species richness at both sites (Terekhol ; Zuari ; ) while no significant correlation was observed in either postmonsoon or monsoon season in either site (Table 5). Species evenness was maximum in postmonsoon season in both sites, and Shannon-Weiner () and Simpson’s indices showed variation between the different seasons (Table 6). Multivariate analysis revealed that seasons (; ) and host (; ) coaffected AM fungal spore density and species richness. The seasons had a greater influence than host species as evidenced by higher    values; however the interaction was found to be nonsignificant.

Table 5: Pearson correlation coefficient ( value) between spore density and species richness at the two study sites.

Ecological parameters
Terekhol site
Zuari site

Premonsoon
Monsoon
Postmonsoon
Premonsoon
Monsoon
Postmonsoon

SD versus SR
*0.726
0.675
0.513
*0.645
0.326
0.342

SD: spore density; SR: species richness; *: significant at .

Table 6: Diversity measurements of AM fungal communities in different seasons at the two study sites.

Study sites and ecological parameters
Premonsoon
Monsoon
Postmonsoon

Terekhol site

    Shannon-Weiner index (H)
0.795
0.358
0.852

    Simpsons index of dominance (D)
0.93
0.79
0.97

    Evenness (E)
0.40
0.32
0.52

Zuari site

    Shannon-Weiner index (H)
0.927
0.361
0.774

    Simpsons index of dominance (D)
0.99
0.784
0.99

    Evenness (E)
0.48
0.32
0.51

4. Discussion

Variation in pH and EC levels in the mangrove soils observed in the present study may be attributed to the constant flushing of tidal water, leading to deposition of salts [21]. Soils at both of the study sites were deficient in available P. It is reported that nearly 80–85% of P is made unavailable to plants due to fixation and immobilization [22]. Degradation of litter in mangrove ecosystems is active and continuous, resulting in the release of various acids during hydrolysis of tannins [23] and the oxidation of iron sulfide (pyrite) that releases dissolved ferrous iron [24], that are known to shift soils towards more acidic conditions. The present study revealed a high organic carbon content in the mangrove sediments, and its degradation resulting in low pH [23]. Concentration of Fe was higher at Zuari than at Terekhol. At the Zuari site, maximum concentration of Fe was recorded in the premonsoon season. Earlier study suggested that increased Fe content in mangrove soils could be attributed to the precipitation of the respective metal sulfide compounds in anaerobic sediments [25].

The selected mangrove plant species showed variation in AM spore density. An earlier study reported that spore density patterns may not reflect the activity of AM fungi in roots, but rather the tendency to sporulate along wide environmental conditions [26]. Other studies suggested that P availability [27], plant physiology, and turnover of plant roots [28] are among the drivers of AM fungal seasonality. Spore density showed variation, maximum in premonsoon and minimum in the monsoon season at both sites. Similar observations have been reported in earlier studies [29, 30]. Higher spore density in premonsoon season is thought to be an indication of root senescence and available nutrients, stimulating fungal sporulation as plant nutrient requirement is reduced [31]. Higher AM spore density in premonsoon may also be attributed to soil temperature, as previous studies [32, 33] suggested that high soil temperature favours AM fungal sporulation.

In the present study no significant correlation between relative abundance (RA) of dominant AM fungal species, and soil pH, P, or EC values suggests that AM fungi have a specific multidimensional niche determined by host plant species. This may affect variation between and within sites in AM fungal community composition [34]. Some reports suggest that AM fungi are obligately aerobic, flooding reduces sporulation [35], and total spore density correlates negatively with soil moisture [36]. Others have found higher values of total spore density in wet soils than in dry soils [37] and have suggested that high sporulation is a stress response to adverse or extreme environmental conditions.

Glomus species are known to be widely distributed and are commonly found in different geographical regions [38]. Furthermore, Glomus species are more adaptable to adjustment of sporulation patterns in varied environmental conditions [39] resulting in dominance. In our study, Acaulospora laevis was recorded in all of the three seasons at both study sites. The acidic nature of mangrove soils explains the presence of A. laevis in all the seasons as Acaulospora species are known to occur in acidic soils [40]. Based on RA, the dominant species, namely, A. laevis and R. intraradices, showed different patterns of sporulation and distribution. These differences in sporulation pattern may be attributed to plant phenological events including new root growth [41], flowering, and fruiting [42]. They may also suggest differences in AM functionality.

Multivariate analysis revealed that seasons and host coaffected AM fungal spore density and species richness, and the seasons have a greater influence than host by analyses of    values. The seasons and host are important factors influencing AM fungal spore density and species richness in natural ecosystems because the host plant can regulate carbon allocation to roots, produces secondary metabolites, and changes the soil environment during different seasons [9]. Beside seasons other factors such as disturbance [43], sporulation efficiency [44], and dormancy [45] are known to affect the abundance of AM fungal species. Seasonal diversity observed in the present study is higher than that in an earlier mangrove study in South China, where only six AM fungal species were reported [2]. Similarly, only four AM fungal species belonging to two genera in 16 aquatic and marshy plant species were reported from Goa, India [46]. In general the AM fungal diversity in wetland ecosystems is lower than in terrestrial ecosystems [47, 48]. Preference of different host plants and dormancy may be factors attributing to lower diversity of AM fungi in wetlands [49].

5. Conclusion

Mangrove plant communities interact with rhizosphere soil and can modify edaphic properties. Similarly edaphic factors interact with plant communities and modify their composition. Consequently in this study there was no clearly observed separation between the plant and soil factors influence on AM fungal sporulation. Seasonal studies of AM fungi help to predict the conditions crucial for development of AM fungi. Further targeted ecological studies are needed to consider the combined effect of occurrence of AM fungi in the different phenological stages of mangroves to provide an accurate picture of AM fungal development and function prevailing in the given ecosystem. Our study suggests that the uneven spatial distribution of AM fungal spores and the complex structure of a mangrove ecosystem should be considered as major factors affecting the spore density of AM fungi in different seasons.

Acknowledgment

The authors gratefully acknowledge the financial assistance received from Planning Commission, Government of India, New Delhi, India, to carry out this study.

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