Arbuscular Mycorrhiza and Soil Type: A Key Relationship in the Grapevine Rhizosphere
Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) establish symbiotic relationships with plant roots, enhancing water and nutrient uptake, particularly phosphorus and nitrogen. These associations are especially relevant in woody crops such as grapevine. However, little is known about how different soil types influence AMF colonization and the composition of the grapevine root microbiome.
A recent study led by Mendel University in Brno (Czech Republic), in collaboration with the Institute of Grapevine and Wine Sciences (ICVV) and other European institutions, addressed this issue. The work, published in the journal Mycorrhiza, analyzed the endorhizospheric fungal community and AMF colonization across five wine-growing sub-regions in the Czech Republic, evaluating their relationship with soil physicochemical properties such as pH, texture, organic matter, and nutrient concentrations.
Marked Differences Between Regions and Soils
The results revealed that AMF diversity and abundance are strongly influenced by soil type. In particular, the Slovácko sub-region—characterized by sandy soils, low pH, and reduced levels of phosphorus, zinc, and humus—showed minimal AMF presence. In contrast, sub-regions with clay or clay loam soils and more favorable nutritional conditions exhibited significantly higher levels of AMF colonization.
The study also identified a negative correlation between intensive fungicide use and AMF presence. In Slovácko, where chemical treatments were applied up to 49 times in the three years prior to sampling, the absence of AMF coincided with a higher prevalence of pathogenic fungi such as Cadophora and Roesleria.
Molecular Tools and Functional Data
Using high-throughput sequencing (Illumina) and advanced bioinformatics, the research team characterized fungal communities both taxonomically and functionally. LSU primers proved to be significantly more effective than ITS primers for AMF detection. Moreover, functional analysis using the FUNGuild tool showed that in regions with higher AMF colonization, symbiotic fungi were predominant—suggesting greater stability in the root ecosystem.
Practical Applications for Sustainable Vineyard Management
This study highlights the importance of maintaining proper soil nutrient balance and minimizing chemical use to support the establishment of beneficial mycorrhizae. These fungi not only enhance nutrient uptake by grapevines but also appear to contribute to reduced presence of root pathogens and greater plant resilience.
The findings provide valuable insights for designing sustainable vineyard management strategies aligned with the goals of preserving soil biodiversity and improving plant health.
Reference:
Štůsková, K., Vavřiník, A., Hakalová, E., Čechová, J., Gramaje, D., Eichmeier, A. (2025). Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi strongly influence the endorhizosphere of grapevine rootstock with soil type as a key factor. Mycorrhiza, 35:17. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00572-025-01194-8
