Effect of Grassland Degradation on Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Symbiosis of <i>Leymus chinensis</i> (Trin.) Tzvel. in Different Steppe Types

This study compared the arbuscular mycorrhizal symbiosis of Leymus chinensis between meadow steppe and typical steppe in the West Ujimqin banner. Mycorrhizal colonization rate and number of rhizosphere spore of L . chinensis decreased from light to heavy grassland degradation in the both of steppes. The mycorrhizal colonization rate and rhizosphere spore number of L . chinensis decreased significantly at moderate-heavy degradation stages in meadow steppe, and the typical steppe occurred in light-moderate degradation stages. These results indicated that the mycorrhizal symbiotic patience of L . chinensis in typical steppe is lower than that of meadow steppe.