Root-Colonization by Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi and Dark Septate Endophytes in Himalayan Plants: A Comparison between 2015 and 2022

Anja MOSER

Bachelor's thesis

About 450 million years ago fungal endophytes faciliated the establishment of plants on land. Today these fungi still support more than 80% of all plants. In harsh environments like high mountain systems, dark septate endopthytes are thought to replace arbuscular myrorrhizal fungi as the main endophytic partner of plants. The Bachelor student of this project should enjoy working on the microscope and be interested in how far the root colonization of Himalayan plants has been affected by climate change in the last 7 years.

Abstract:

Climate change is an undeniable reality that impacts biological systems worldwide. As temperature rises, plant species are forced to adapt, extinct, or migrate to higher elevations. In harsh environments like the Himalayan mountains, fungi such as arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) and dark septated endophytes (DSEs) support the majority of herbaceous plants by providing nutrients and protecting them from pathogens. This study evaluates root colonization rates of AMF and DSE in diverse plant species sampled from the Ladakh range in 2015 and 2022. Significant findings include a notable increase in AMF infection rates and a decrease in DSE colonization rates between these years. This is possibly linked to climate change-induced temperature rises and prolonged vegetation seasons. Furthermore, AMF were found to be abundant in such stressed environments. Additionally, deeper investigations into the roles of AMF and DSE in different plant species are needed for a more nuanced understanding of their ecological implications.

Abstract:

Climate change is an undeniable reality that impacts biological systems worldwide. As temperature rises, plant species are forced to adapt, extinct, or migrate to higher elevations. In harsh environments like the Himalayan mountains, fungi such as arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) and dark septated endophytes (DSEs) support the majority of herbaceous plants by providing nutrients and protecting them from pathogens. This study evaluates root colonization rates of AMF and DSE in diverse plant species sampled from the Ladakh range in 2015 and 2022. Significant findings include a notable increase in AMF infection rates and a decrease in DSE colonization rates between these years. This is possibly linked to climate change-induced temperature rises and prolonged vegetation seasons. Furthermore, AMF were found to be abundant in such stressed environments. Additionally, deeper investigations into the roles of AMF and DSE in different plant species are needed for a more nuanced understanding of their ecological implications.

Keywords

Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi, dark septate endophytes, climate change, Himalayas, Ladakh range, root colonization rate

Language used: English

Date on which the thesis was submitted / produced: 9. 5. 2024

Thesis defence

• Supervisor: MSc. Roey Angel, Dr. rer. nat.

UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH BOHEMIA IN ČESKÉ BUDĚJOVICE

Faculty of Science

Bachelor programme / field:
Biological Chemistry / Biological Chemistry