Polysaccharides and monosaccharides in the hyphosphere of the arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi Glomus E3 and Glomus tenue

Plants colonised with the arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) Glomus E3 and Glomus tenue were grown in microcosms that permitted separation into root:hyphae and hyphae compartments. Hydrolysed polysaccharides from the hyphae and water-soluble sugars released into the hyphosphere were assayed using chromatography. Total sugars and most monosaccharides were elevated in the hyphosphere of Glomus E3 but not in the hyphosphere of G. tenue. Differences in the levels of sugars did not depend on hyphal surface area. It is suggested the diversity in sugars produced in the hyphosphere of AMF may drive some of the spatial and temporal variation in microbial diversity and function in soils.