NOTHOFAGUS PUMILIO FORESTS AFFECTED BY TEPHRA DEPOSITION IN NORTHERN PATAGONIA: II - MAIN SHIFTS IN THE STRUCTURE OF RHIZOSPHERE FUNGAL COMMUNITIES

FERNÁNDEZ NATALIA; FONTENLA SONIA; MOGUILEVSKY DENISE; MEIER SEBASTIÁN; RILLING JOAQUÍN; CORNEJO RIVAS PABLO

Journal of Soil Science and Plant Nutrition

Scientific and Biotechnological Bioresource Nucleus BIOREN-UFRO

Lugar: Temuco; Año: 2018

0718-9508

Volcanic eruptions have a significant effect on ecosystems, including soil and its fungal communities. Due to the eruption of the Puyehue-Cordón Caulle in 2011, thick tephra deposits accumulated in several Nothofagus pumilio forests in Northern Patagonia, Argentina. The tephra deposition affected plant establishment and development during the post-eruption period. In this work we analyzed rhizosphere fungal communities associated with N. pumilio seedlings at three study sites, two with a thick tephra layer (50 cm) and a third site with no tephra deposition. Denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE) was performed for the different fungal communities (Ascomycetes, Basidiomycetes and Total fungi). We found clear shifts in rhizosphere fungal communities, especially for Basidiomycetes and Total fungi. Site-related characteristics, such as type of substrate, light intensity and the existence of understory and previous mycelial networks, seemed to be the main factors determining the structure of these fungal communities. Given their sensitivity to different types of environmental change, these microbial communities could be used as bioindicators. The results shown here contribute to the understanding of how fungal communities respond to disturbance, an important issue in the evaluation of how ecosystem processes might be affected in areas commonly subjected to geological risks, such as volcanism. This information is also relevant to the planning and successful implementation of restoration activities based on seedling optimization by rhizosphere fungi.