Soil Traits and Grapevine Rootstock Genotypes Modulate Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Rate and Species in a Mediterranean Environment
Author(s)
Date Issued
2024
Type
article
Volume
14
Journal
Abstract
The soil microbiota is a key component of agroecosystems, and understanding its traits
is crucial for effective agronomic management. Among beneficial microorganisms, arbuscular
mycorrhizal fungi (AMFs) are mutually associated with grapevine (Vitis vinifera L.), enhancing
the ability of this cropping system to adapt to soil conditions and bolstering its resistance and
resilience against abiotic stresses, particularly drought, by promoting root growth and enhancing the
roots’ absorption surface. The objective of this on-field study was to determine AMF species richness
and diversity along with their relation to soil chemical, physical, and biological characteristics in
two adjacent organic vineyards in Central Italy. The two tested vineyards of the autochthonous
cv. Aleatico differed by the presence of grafted (Vitis berlandieri × V. riparia rootstock; AL-420) or
own-rooted (ungrafted V. vinifera L.; AL-ORV) vines. To this aim, soil and root samples were collected
and geo-referenced. Analysis of the AMF species colonizing roots of both AL-ORV and AL-420
revealed the presence of four species: Scutellospora alterata, Paraglomus laccatum, Acaulospora laevis, and
A. baetica, with S. alterata being the most frequent. Mycorrhization parameters were higher in the roots
of grafted plants compared to ungrafted ones. A high beta-glucosidase (BG):N-acetylglusosaminidase
(NAG) ratio in two tested vineyards indicated that microbes utilized more cellulose than chitin and
peptidoglycan as dominant C resources. A negative correlation between mycorrhization rate (MyCP)
and BG was observed, likely because AMFs form mutualistic relationships with plants, depending on
the host plant for carbon. Results revealed a positive correlation between the degree of mycorrhizal
association and the species involved, with the presence of copper and nickel among metals. Negative
correlations were found concerning soil clay content along with beta-glucosidase. In conclusion, the
grapevine root system was characterized by a differential symbiotic relationship with AMF species,
whose development is influenced by the root genotype, soil texture, and biochemistry. Specifically,
the increased frequency of AMFs in relation to copper content strengthens the evidence of their role
in maintaining a vine’s production capacity in the event of soil contamination by this element.
Subjects
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Catalani et al_agriculture-14-01425.pdf
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