Env Exp Biol (2010) 8: 17–34

Diversity of arbuscular mycorrhizal symbiosis in plants from coastal habitats

Abstract

The aim of the present study was to examine the occurrence of mycorrhizal symbiosis in roots of coastal plants of temperate region and to search for structures related to possible functional status of the symbiosis. A total of 29 plant species belonging to 18 families and 27 genera were examined. The presented data clearly show that in spite of sometimes low intensity of mycorrhization, roots of all coastal plants studied possess functional structures of arbuscular mycorrhizal symbiosis. It can be suggested that fluctuating and low intensity of mycorrhizal symbiosis is caused by unfavourable environmental conditions within the vegetation season. For salt marsh plants, increased soil salinity is one of the environmental factors leading to decreased intensity of arbuscular mycorrhizal symbiosis.