Fungal diversity in soils with different uses in the pampean region of Argentina

Abstract

Fungi have a key role in organic matter decomposition, nutrient cycling and nutrient availability to plants. The objective of the present study was to evaluate the fungal community of soils with different uses using the PCR-DGGE technique. Soil samples (0-5 and 5-20 cm depth) were taken from continuous agriculture under no-till (AC), Acacia sp. forest (MA) and prairie (PN) in the pampean region of Argentina. The fungal community was analyzed using the molecular technique polymerase chain reaction (PCR) - denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE). The number of bands (S) and Jaccard similarity coefficient were determined from band profiles of DGGE gels. The profiles obtained from amplification of DNA fragments allowed identifying unique species in the first 5 cm of the soil for MA, AC and PN uses as well as for MA and PN from 5 to 20 cm depth. On the other hand, shared fragments were observed among the three soil uses. The dendrogram identified two groups, with similarity coefficient close to 35%. The molecular profiles determined that the PN community differed from those of MA and AC, which are closer to each other. In conclusion, the PCR-DGGE technique allowed determining differences in the composition of edaphic fungal communities between soils with different use in the pampean region of Argentina.