《Microscopy Observations of Habitable Space in Biochar for Colonization by Fungal Hyphae From Soil》.pdfVIP

Journal of Integrative Agriculture 2014, 13(3): 483-490 March 2014 RESEARCH ARTICLE Microscopy Observations of Habitable Space in Biochar for Colonization by Fungal Hyphae From Soil 1, 3 2 1 Noraini M Jaafar , Peta L Clode and Lynette K Abbott 1 Soil Biology and Molecular Ecology Group, School of Earth and Environment and UWA Institute of Agriculture, The University of Western Australia , Crawley 6009, Australia 2 Centre for Microscopy, Characterisation and Analysis, The University of Western Australia, Crawley 6009, Australia 3 Department of Land Management , Faculty of Agriculture, Universiti Putra Malaysia, Serdang, Selangor 43400, Malaysia Abstract Biochar is a potential micro-environment for soil microorganisms but evidence to support this suggestion is limited. We explored imaging techniques to visualize and quantify fungal colonization of habitable spaces in a biochar made from a woody feedstock. In addition to characterization of the biochar, it was necessary to optimize preparation and observation methodologies for examining fungal colonization of the biochar. Biochar surfaces and pores were investigated using several microscopy techniques. Biochar particles were compared in soilless media and after deposition in soil. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) observations and characterization of the biochar demonstrated structural heterogeneity within and among biochar particles. Fungal colonization in and on biochar particles was observed using light, fluorescence and electron microscopy. Fluorescent brightener RR 2200 was more effective than Calcofluor White as a hyphal stain. Biochar retrieved from soil and observed using fluorescence microscopy exhibited distinct hyphal