Present projects
Interaction of AM symbiosis and genome duplication in vascular plants
AM symbiosis vs. heavy metals: the effect of plant and fungus origin
The role of fungi in decomposition of litter
Evolutionary dynamics of diploid-polyploid angiosperm alliances
GA ČR, 206/05/0598, 2006-08
The project is aimed at increasing of our knowledge on the microevolutionary processes that shape the population structure in diploid-polyploid angiosperm alliances, taking Aster amellus, Campanula gentiles and Pimpinella saxifraga as model groups. Within the Department of Mycorrhizal Symbioses, the interaction of different cytotypes with AM fungi is studied, specifically the question whether plants of the same species but different ploidy level may differ in their benefit from being mycorrhizal.
The effect of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi on heavy metal uptake and tolerance of host plants: does the plant and fungus origin matter?
GA AV ČR, B600050636, 2006-07
The project is focused on the comparison of the effects of arbuscular mycorrhizal symbiosis on heavy metal uptake and tolerance in different populations of the same plant species coming either from contaminated or non-contaminated soil. As a model species, Agrostis capillaris was selected and its clones of different origin are combined with different isolates of AM fungus (Glomus intraradices) from contaminated or non-contaminated soil.
Effect of arbuscular mycorrhizal symbiosis on the growth of clonal plants in nutritionally homogeneous and heterogeneous soil environment
GA ČR, 526/05/P063, 2005-07
The project deals with the interaction between clonal plants and their obligate symbionts - arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi. Two stoloniferous plant species were selected to study the effects of AM inoculation on intraclonal integration, i.e. sharing of resources between mother and daughter ramets. Potentional modification of plant clonal growth by native AM fungi is tested in homogenenous as well as in heterogeneous soil environment (better reflecting natural conditions).
Role of saprotrophic and ectomycorrhizal fungi in humic acids and phosphorus transformation in spruce needle litter
GA ČR, 206/05/0269, 2005-07
The project deals with the effect of saprotrophic and symbiotic (ectomycorrhizal, DSE) fungi in humic acids and organic phosphorus transformation in spruce (Pice abies) needle litter. Experiments with litter needles inoculated with selected saprotrophic and symbiotic fungal strains are carried out. Litter needles are analysed using the 31P NMR spectroscopy, MALDI-TOF MS and elementary analysis to reveal the effect of selected fungal strains.
