Properties of soils influenced by ectomycorrhizal fungi in hybrid spruce [Picea glauca × engelmannii (Moench.) Voss]

Abstract

[91][92][93][94][95][96][97][98][99][100][101][102]. Soil properties of rhizosphere zones in coniferous forests are influenced by the presence of ectomycorrhizae. To elucidate the role of ectomycorrhizae (ECM) on the alteration of chemical and mineralogical properties of soils, soil pH, total C and N, cation exchange capacity, and the contents of mica, chlorite, and kaolinite, 2:1 type expandable clays, and amorphous minerals were compared in two soils, soils influenced by ectomycorrhizal fungi (ECS) and non-ectomycorrhizosphere soils (N-ECM) of Picea glauca x engelmannii (Moench.) Voss. Specifically, the two ECS soils were dominated by (1) Piloderma spp. (ECS-A) and (2) Inocybe lacera-like and Hebeloma-like morphotypes or where Piloderma spp. colonization was <1% (ECS-B). Our results showed that pH was lower in ECS compared to N-ECM samples. Total C and N were significantly higher in ECS soils than N-ECM samples. Cation exchange capacity as well as exchangeable K + , and Na + were higher in ECS compared to N-ECM soils. X-ray diffraction analysis showed that the amount of 2:1 expanding clays (vermiculite and smectite) was higher in ECS than N-ECM samples and results suggest that there is an enhanced transformation of mica and chlorite to 2:1 type expandable clays in ECS samples when compared to N-ECM samples. The differences in chemical and mineralogical properties between ECS and N-ECM soils, in our study, support earlier studies that show ectomycorrhizal fungi can alter the properties of soils in the rhizosphere zone.

Root organic acid exudates and properties of rhizosphere soils of white spruce (Picea glauca) and subalpine fir (Abies lasiocarpa)

“…Except for the LFH horizon samples, the higher CEC in R compared with NR soils are consistent with other studies on the same or other tree species (Arocena et al 1999;Glowa et al 2004;Turpault et al 2007). The high CEC in R soils may be attributed to the presence of clay minerals and/or organic matter.…”

“…These results were consistent with previous studies on the same tree species. Glowa et al (2004) reported a pH of 5.1 for nonectomycorrhizosphere (N-ECM) soil, which was significantly different from the pH of 4.1 and 4.3 for ectomycorrhizosphere (ECM) soils of P. glauca. Arocena et al (1999) reported a pH of 5.2 for N-ECM soil, which was not significantly different from the pH of 4.6 and 4.9 for ectomycorrhizosphere soils of A. lasiocarpa.…”

“…In the study area, A. lasiocarpa was predominantly colonized by Piloderma sp., Cenococcum geophilum, and Mycelium radicis atrovirens (Arocena et al 1999), while P. glauca )engelmannii (Moench.) Voss was predominantly colonized by Piloderma spp., Inocybe lacera-like and Hebeloma-like morphotypes (Glowa et al 2004). Cultivation of Rhizopogon roseolus-colonized Pinus sylvestris seedlings, in glass beads with liquid growth medium, produced seven times more oxalic acid than non-mycorrhizal seedlings (Ahonen-Jonnarth et al 2000).…”

Impact of common European tree species and Douglas-fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii [Mirb.] Franco) on the physicochemical properties of the rhizosphere

“…These soluble elements (from mineral weathering and mass flow) can thus be fixed on the organic matter and on the mineral surfaces thus enriching the rhizosphere. Glowa et al (2004) even demonstrated in coniferous forests that properties of rhizosphere are strongly influenced by the presence of ectomycorrhizae. These authors observed that total C and N, CEC as well as exchangeable K + , and Na + were significantly higher in soils influenced by ectomycor- 3,0 3,0 rhizal fungi.…”

“…This acidification of the rhizosphere in the Norway spruce stands could also reveal differences in the activities among the microbial communities colonizing the Norway spruce roots and those colonizing the other species. For example, Glowa et al (2004) demonstrated in a spruce forest, that the colonization of roots by certain species of ectomycorrhizal fungi can significantly decrease the pH of the rhizosphere. As observed by Calvaruso et al (2009), the exudation of large amount of protons by Norway spruce roots and root-associated microorganisms generated an important loss of interlayer Al in the rhizosphere (clay-sized fraction), three times higher than that measured for the oak.…”