The use of denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis in examining the species-specific influence of ectomycorrhizal fungi on selective bacteria enrichment in the mycorrhizosphere of Pinius rigida grown in a natural pine barrens habitat
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Ward, Rachel Jane. The use of denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis in examining the species-specific influence of ectomycorrhizal fungi on selective bacteria enrichment in the mycorrhizosphere of Pinius rigida grown in a natural pine barrens habitat. Retrieved from https://doi.org/doi:10.7282/T3028RZG
DescriptionThe study presented here describes the results of denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE) used to detect bacterial diversity and selection in the ectomycorrhizasphere of Pinius rigida growing in a natural pine barrens habitat This study was the first to explore such a relationship in an environmental setting. Two study sites were chosen from the pine barrens in southern New Jersey, one from Rutgers Pinelands Field Station and one from Double Trouble State Park. Soils were from similar habitats and were similar in total phosphorous. The two sites were selected based on preliminary information that mercury content was high in the Double Trouble. However, upon further analysis, results showed that mercury was at a non-contaminant level in both sites. DGGE analysis of ectomycorrhiza fungi present on a root tip revealed that there were multiple species occurring where one morphotype was apparent from inspection through a dissecting microscope. DGGE analysis of ectomycorrhiza associated bacteria revealed a highly diverse community with little enrichment. While there was some enrichment noted on the bacterial DGGE profiles, this did not correspond to a species-specific link between ectomycorrhiza fungi and their associated bacteria. It is the conclusion of this study that the natural ectomycorrhizasphere is a highly complex environment, and that this complexity diffuses the influence of any one ectomycorrhizal species on the enrichement on bacteria present in the ectomycorrhizasphere.