Sensitivity of Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi in Old-Growth Forests: Direct Effect on Growth and Soil Carbon Storage

Abstract

Arbuscular mycorrhizal association is ubiquitous and can be found in majority of natural habitats. Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) play a key role in the absorption of plant nutrients, soil aggregation and fertility. The basic role of AMF in the plant growth is to increase the absorption and translocation of relatively immobile ions and elements. In the past, studies have focused primarily on the mycorrhiza development and their general role in the growth of plants. Here, in this review manuscript, we highlight the role of AMF in the growth of old forests. In many studies, it has been found that concentration of phosphorous (P) decreases with the stand age which as a result leads to phosphorous (P) deficiency. This phosphorous (P) deficiency is considered as a cause of slow growth of old forests. In this review article, we argued that apart from the low concentration of phosphorous (P), weak arbuscular mycorrhizal associations are also a cause of slow growth of old forests. Furthermore, we also highlight the ecological role of AMF in the soil carbon storage. AMF provide physical (hyphae frame) and chemical support (Glomalin) to the dispersed soil particles to create stable aggregated soil structure. The Glomalin compound which is released by AMF acts like a glue and consequently increases soil aggregation. The soil organic matters stored in soil aggregates are less exposed to decomposition. Hence, soil can be used as a large sink where a huge amount of carbon can be stored in the form of soil organic matters which as a result can contribute to the mitigation of global climate change.

Formation of Common Mycorrhizal Networks Significantly Affects Plant Biomass and Soil Properties of the Neighboring Plants under Various Nitrogen Levels

“…As a result, plant shoot weight, root weight and chlorophyll content in the donor and recipient plants increased as compared to non-mycorrhizal plants. These findings are in agreement with previous studies of trifoliate orange-white clover and flax-sorghum, and Andropogon gerardii, where plant biomass was improved as a result of mycorrhizal networks [20,57,61,[63][64][65]. This is because these extraradical radical hyphae provided the increased nutrients absorption surface for the plants.…”

Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi and Higher Plants

“…(1) secretion from the hyphae and arbuscules of the fungi to colonized roots, organic matter, soil particles, and the surrounding environment of external mycelium and (2) its release after decomposition of AMF structures Wright 2000). Despite an unknown biochemical structure, glomalin is a glycoprotein consists of various inorganic elements such as phosphorus, iron, magnesium, calcium, and potassium (Ullah et al 2019) and different substance groups (Fig. 11.1).…”

Succession stages and soil attributes influence the structure of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi communities in the Atlantic Forest

“…Phosphorus is essential in plant metabolism and is often found in an inaccessible form in soil (Wright et al 2018); in general, the levels of this element decrease with the successional advance of forests (Li et al 2013;Ullah et al 2020). The role of AMF in regenerating environments is crucial, as they accelerate the process of phosphorus solubilization for plants, especially when it is bound to other nutrients such as aluminum and iron (Liu et al 2021).…”

“…Classified in the phylum Glomeromycota (Wijayawardene et al 2022), AMF allow an increase in the area of nutrient assimilation by plants, especially mineral nutrients with little mobility in the soil and of extreme importance, such as P, Cu and Zn (Smith & Read 2008). In addition to nutritional benefits, these microorganisms provide greater tolerance to abiotic and biotic stresses (Gianinazzi et al 2010), such as water (Frosi et al 2016) and saline (Yano-Melo et al 2003) stress, also assisting in nutrient cycling (van der Heijden et al 2015).…”