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Diversity of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi associated with switchgrass in the New Jersey Pine Barrens ecosystem
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Bindell, Molly. Diversity of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi associated with switchgrass in the New Jersey Pine Barrens ecosystem. Retrieved from https://doi.org/doi:10.7282/t3-s8pb-3w11

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TitleDiversity of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi associated with switchgrass in the New Jersey Pine Barrens ecosystem
NameBindell, Molly (author); Zhang, Ning (chair); Dighton, John (internal member); White, James (internal member); Gianfagna, Thomas (outside member); Rutgers University; School of Graduate Studies
Date Created2019
Other Date2019-01 (degree)
SubjectEcology and Evolution, Vesicular-arbuscular mycorrhizas, Switchgrass, Pine Barrens (N.J.)
Extent1 online resource (184 pages : illustrations)
DescriptionArbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AM fungi) are a group of mutualistic, root-colonizing, microorganisms that have enormous importance in ecosystem functioning, agricultural production, and habitat conservation. Despite their relatively small taxonomic diversity, they associate with over 80% of terrestrial plants. AM fungal species are often described through morphological differences, such as, spore wall features. However, next-generation sequencing (NGS) has become an increasingly popular method to expand our understanding of AM fungal global diversity patterns. The drivers of AM fungal diversity patterns remain poorly understood. This dissertation, therefore, combines Illumina MiSeq sequencing and microscopic observations to uncover the AM fungal communities inhabiting switchgrass roots in the Pine Barrens ecosystem, and compare those communities with those from agroecosystems. The AM fungal communities of the rare and unique Pine Barrens ecosystem were previously unknown. Illumina sequencing results uncovered several clades unique to the Pine Barrens ecosystem, as well as, clades unique to agricultural fields, with many potentially novel species. This dissertation also developed a fully annotated, bioinformatic workflow for the study of AM fungal diversity via Illumina sequencing. Developing this AM fungal Illumina workflow showed that certain bioinformatic decisions can alter downstream AM fungal diversity results dramatically. Reference database selection was found to be a key decision in the workflow process. A pot experiment was also conducted in order to explore whether or not the acidic soils of the Pine Barrens influence the extent of switchgrass root colonization by and diversity of AM fungi. Native Pine Barrens AM fungi and soil were either left alone or amended with calcium carbonate (lime) in order to test whether soil pH plays a role in shaping the AM fungal communities, as previous studies have shown mixed results. Although the experiment didn’t yield much significant data, it found that plants grown without AM fungi and those with acidic soil grew bigger than those with AM fungi and those with more neutral soil. Better control over inoculation procedures and abiotic factors may shed more light on these findings. While this dissertation research helps us better understand AM fungal global diversity patterns, lingering questions remain on how these fungi function in different environments, why species exist in certain places, and how these fungi can be realistically implemented in sustainable agricultural practices.
NotePh.D.
NoteIncludes bibliographical references
Noteby Molly Bindell
Genretheses, ETD doctoral
Persistent URLhttps://doi.org/doi:10.7282/t3-s8pb-3w11
Languageeng
CollectionSchool of Graduate Studies Electronic Theses and Dissertations
Organization NameRutgers, The State University of New Jersey
RightsThe author owns the copyright to this work.
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