Contrasting effects of host identity, plant community, and local species pool on the composition and colonization levels of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungal community in a temperate grassland

Abstract

Summary Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMFs) are important plant symbionts, but we know little about the effects of plant taxonomic identity or functional group on the AMF community composition. To examine the effects of the surrounding plant community, of the host, and of the AMF pool on the AMF community in plant roots, we manipulated plant community composition in a long‐term field experiment. Within four types of manipulated grassland plots, seedlings of eight grassland plant species were planted for 12 wk, and AMFs in their roots were quantified. Additionally, we characterized the AMF community of individual plots (as their AMF pool) and quantified plot abiotic conditions. The largest determinant of AMF community composition was the pool of available AMFs, varying at metre scale due to changing soil conditions. The second strongest predictor was the host functional group. The differences between grasses and dicotyledonous forbs in AMF community variation and diversity were much larger than the differences among species within those groups. High cover of forbs in the surrounding plant community had a strong positive effect on AMF colonization intensity in grass hosts. Using a manipulative field experiment enabled us to demonstrate direct causal effects of plant host and surrounding vegetation.

Foraging speed and precision of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi under field conditions: An experimental approach

“…Seedling roots used for molecular analyses (only from the eight mycorrhizal host species) were first dried at 60°C and frozen before DNA extraction. This experiment and its results are described in more detail in Šmilauer, Košnar, et al (2020).…”

“…The presence of AMF with particular nutrient‐foraging traits depends on the functional types of their host plants (Chagnon, Bradley, & Klironomos, 2015; López‐García et al., 2017; Unger et al., 2016) and of neighbouring plant individuals (Hausmann & Hawkes, 2009). Using a manipulative field experiment, we have demonstrated (Šmilauer, Košnar, Kotilínek, & Šmilauerová, 2020) that the difference between grass and dicotyledoneous hosts is a dominant part of the host identity effect, but also that there are important effects of the surrounding vegetation.…”

Adaptation of plant‐mycorrhizal interactions to moisture availability in prairie restoration

“…While inoculation with native AM fungi has been shown to improve establishment of native plants in prairie restorations (Koziol et al 2018; House & Bever 2019), and AM fungal communities vary with abiotic conditions and plant community (Šmilauer et al 2020; Vieira et al 2020), to date, we do not know the extent to which native AM fungal inocula need to be sourced in relevant local climates. To assess the importance of variation in precipitation history with respect to source of plant species and AM fungal inocula for restoration, we designed a study including plant species and AM fungal communities from two prairies that experience differing yearly average precipitation and tested their effects in drier and moister conditions.…”

Influence of Citrus Scion/Rootstock Genotypes on Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Community Composition under Controlled Environment Condition

“…Considering the significant roles of AMF in the ecosystem, the compositions of AMF communities have been determined through high-throughput DNA sequencing technologies in various natural and agricultural environments, including plateau, desert, forestland, grassland, shrubland and farmland [ 14 , 15 , 16 , 17 , 18 , 19 , 20 ]. According to the previous studies, AMF community composition is mainly affected by spatial scales, soil properties, climates and agricultural practices [ 18 , 20 , 21 , 22 , 23 ].…”