Root fungal endophytes of Atriplex crenatifolia Chodat & Wilczek (Chenopodiaceae) from Salinas del Bebedero, San Luis, Argentina

LUGO M. A.; CRESPO E. M. ; M. G. MOLINA

Potrero de los Funes, San Luis

Congreso; XXX Reunión Científica Anual de la Soc. de Biología de Cuyo; 2012

Sociedad de Biología de Cuyo

Plants are often associated with fungal endophytes forming arbuscular mycorrhizal (MA) with Glomeromycota and "dark septate" (DS) with anamorphic Asco- and Basidiomycota. Chenopodiaceae is one of the few families considered as non-mycorrhizal, but there are records of its association in AM and DS with Atriplex species. Atriplex includes halophytic species, several with an important forage value in their inhabit stressed environments. The aim of this study was to determine the types of fungal endophytes colonization in roots of Atriplex crenatifolia, an endemic and perennial species from Salinas del Bebedero, San Luis. Five individuals were collected in summer, the roots were washed and processed (clarification and staining) for further observation and determination of the type (AM, DS) and quantification of colonization. Atriplex crenatifolia showed dual AM-DS association, with high AM and low DS frequencies. In this study, A. crenatifolia is disclosed as dual AM-DS host, suggesting both symbiosis are implicated in host resistance to salt stress.