Endophytic Root Colonization Patterns in Early and Mid-Spring Geophytes from Cluj County

Abstract

Analysis of ten vernal ephemerals from Agro-Botanical Garden UASVM Cluj-Napoca revealed that all were naturally colonized by arbuscular mycorrhizae and fine root endophytes. Dark septate endophytes were observed in seven species. Highest frequency of arbuscular mycorrhizae colonization was found in Muscari armeniacum while second highest in Crocus vernus and Galanthus nivalis. High arbuscular mycorrhizae colonization frequency appears simultaneous with high fine root endophyte colonization in some species, but high arbuscular mycorrhizae frequency is not associated with highest dark septate endophyte presence. Lax arbuscular mycorrhizae symbiosis was identified in Iris reticulata and Hyacinthus orientalis. Plants with intensely arbuscular mycorrhizae colonized roots might be able to avoid carbon drain by allowing less arbuscules to form than presumed higher potential indicated by extensive length of root colonized by AMF hyphae.Analysis of ten vernal ephemerals from Agro-Botanical Garden UASVM Cluj-Napoca revealed that all were naturally colonized by arbuscular mycorrhizae and fine root endophytes. Dark septate endophytes were observed in seven species. Highest frequency of arbuscular mycorrhizae colonization was found in Muscari armeniacum while second highest in Crocus vernus and Galanthus nivalis. High arbuscular mycorrhizae colonization frequency appears simultaneous with high fine root endophyte colonization in some species, but high arbuscular mycorrhizae frequency is not associated with highest dark septate endophyte presence. Lax arbuscular mycorrhizae symbiosis was identified in Iris reticulata and Hyacinthus orientalis. Plants with intensely arbuscular mycorrhizae colonized roots might be able to avoid carbon drain by allowing less arbuscules to form than presumed higher potential indicated by extensive length of root colonized by AMF hyphae.