Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi in a mountain grassland II: Seasonal variation of colonization studied, along with its relation to grazing and metabolic host type.

The relationships among seasons, host metabolic type, grazing and arbuscular mycorrhizal colonization were analyzed in a high South American native grassland. This study investigated seasonal changes and grazing effects on the symbiotic endomycorrhizal interaction in 5 Poaceae [C(3) metabolic pathway: Briza subaristata Lam., Deyeuxia hieronymi (Hack.) Türpe and Poa stuckertii (Hack.) Parodi; with C(4) metabolic pathway: Eragrostis lugens Nees and Sorghastrum pellitum (Hack.) Parodi; and a Rosaceae (Alchemilla pinnata Ruíz & Pav.)]. All hosts were dominant species in the mountain grassland in central Argentina. It was found that the seasons markedly influenced endomycorrhizal colonization, whereas grazing did not affect this interaction. C(4) grasses presented the highest root colonization. Hosts Briza subaristata (C(3) metabolic pathway) and Sorghastrum pellitum (C(4) metabolic pathway) showed Arum- and Paris-type colonization and intermediate forms.