ISSN:
1432-1890
Keywords:
Key words Arbuscular mycorrhiza
;
Forest fire
;
Revegetation
;
MPN
Source:
Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
Topics:
Biology
Notes:
Abstract Forest fire can affect arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi by changing the soil conditions and by directly altering AM proliferation. We studied the effects of a severe forest fire at Margalla Hills near Islamabad on the number and viability of AM fungal propagules in the burnt soil and their role in the re-establishment of post-fire infection in colonized plants. Compared with a nearby control area, the burnt site had a similar number of total spores but a lower number of viable AM fungal propagules. The roots of the two most frequent species at the burnt site, Dodonaea viscosa and Aristida adscensionis, showed a gradual increase in percentage root length colonized by AM fungi in general and hyphal infection in particular. Our results indicate resumption of mycorrhizal activity following the fire, probably from AM hyphae in the roots of these dominant shrubs.
Type of Medium:
Electronic Resource
URL:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s005720050183
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