Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungal diversity in an Ethiopian montane forest with special emphasis on nurse-tree effect
Final Report Abstract
The research project aimed to clarify the mycorrhizal state and the diversity of mycorrhizal fungi in plantation forests of Ethiopia. The mycorrhizal potential appeared to be crucial for the naturally regenerating native trees, which are of much higher value than the planted Pinus and Eucalyptus but difficult to establish by plantations. The so called "nurse effect" of Pinus and Eucalyptus was partly due to shade shelter, but our results showed that the arbuscular mycorrhizal potential was well preserved even in the Pinus patula plantation. The results indicated the presence of a number of shared AMF species between nurse trees and regenerating native trees, under-storey plants and the natural forest proving our hypothesis of presence of a mycorrhizal network beneficial for the successful regeneration of native tree species in these plantations. However, the composition of the fungal species varies among the plantation species. The success in trapping native AMF by grasses and herbs in nursery conditions indicates the possibility to isolate, purify and multiply native AMF and produce native AMF inoculum. We consider the application of native fungal species to nursery grown seedlings as crucial for sustainable plantation efforts. Fast growing, wide spread fungi, like Glomus mosseae do not serve this long term purpose as they quickly disappear after planting. Like the natural forest ecosystems of Ethiopia, the Munessa plantation forest ecosystem consists of novel native AMF species, which need special attention and further investigation towards the application of mycorrhizal technology in Ethiopian Forestry. Our finding of high AMF inoculum potential in those plantation species with the highest regenerating indigenous species suggests that AMF are one of the biotic factors that dictate the successful regeneration, growth and establishment of regenerating indigenous seedlings in this system.
Publications
- 2006. Phylogenetic analysis of nearly complete SSU rDNA sequences reveals that the endangered African Pencil Cedar, Juniperus procera Höchst. Ex Endl., is associated with distinct Giomus taxa. Mycological Research 110: 1059-1069
Wubet T, Weiß M, Kottke l, Teketay D, Oberwinkler F
- 2006. Two threatened coexisting indigenous conifer species in the dry Afromontane forests of Ethiopia are associated with distinct AM fungal communities. Canadian Journal of Botany 84: 1617-1627
Wubet T, Weiß M, Kottke I, Oberwinkler F
