Communities of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi and bacteria in the rhizosphere of Caragana korshinkii and Hippophae rhamnoides in Zhifanggou watershed

The process of ecological restoration and reconstruction in Zhifanggou watershed forms a special ecosystem on the Loess Plateau. Little is known about the communities of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) and bacteria in this ecosystem. The aim of this study was to analyze the communities of AMF and bacteria, and their relationship in the rhizosphere of Caragana korshinkii and Hippophae rhamnoides in Zhifanggou watershed. Soil samples were collected from Zhifanggou watershed. The communities of AMF and bacteria were analyzed by using nested PCR of rDNA fragments and denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE). Diversity analysis revealed that the bacterial Shannon diversity index was higher than that of AMF, and the AMF and bacterial Shannon diversity index in the rhizosphere of H. rhamnoides was higher than that of C. korshinkii. Principal component analysis (PCA) revealed that host plant had a significant influence on the bacterial community structure, but no strict specificity with AMF. Correlation analysis showed that the AMF communities had a significant positive correlation with the bacterial communities, and that indicated a significant effect of AMF on bacteria.