Comparative Anatomy of Vesicular-Arbuscular Mycorrhizas Formed on Subterranean Clover

Summary

This 1982 comparative anatomy study examined vesicular-arbuscular mycorrhizal colonisation of subterranean clover roots by 10 Endogonaceae species using light microscopy. The work demonstrated that morphological features of root infection—specifically hyphal and vesicle structure—consistently differ between fungal genera and can distinguish species within genera, providing a taxonomically useful complement to traditional spore-based identification methods. The findings establish that infection morphology is a reliable basis for fungal classification and provide a practical key for distinguishing these economically important mycorrhizal associates of pasture legumes.

Regional applicability

Subterranean clover is a major pasture legume throughout temperate agricultural regions, including parts of the United Kingdom where it is grown in low-input forage systems; the mycorrhizal associations described are likely relevant to UK pasture improvement, though the specific fungal species assemblage and their ecological prevalence may differ from Australian conditions.

Key measures

Root infection patterns, hyphal morphology, vesicle morphology, anatomical characteristics distinguishing Glomus, Acaulospora and Gigaspora species

Outcomes reported

Light microscopy comparison of root infection patterns formed by 10 Endogonaceae species in subterranean clover, establishing that characteristic anatomical features (hyphae and vesicle morphology) differ more between genera than within genera and can be used for fungal taxonomic identification.

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