Abstract
Eupatorium adenophorum is an alien species that threatens community stability and diversity in karst areas. Arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi form interconnected mycorrhizal network, connecting adjacent plants and plant species. How mycorrhizal networks affect the competition for nutrients between invasive and native plants in karst habitat remains unclear at present. An experiment was conducted using a compartmental growing device, which was composed of two planting compartments (for the invasive E. adenophorum or native Artemisia annua) and a competitive compartment (for the interconnected mycorrhizal network). The experiment contained mycorrhizal fungus treatments, with AM fungi (M+) and without AM fungi (M−) using the species Claroideoglomus etunicatum, and the nutrient utilization treatments using nylon mesh to interconnective mycorrhizal networks, including common utilization (Cu), single utilization (Su), and non-utilization (Nu). The results showed as follows: AM fungi differentially increased biomass, nitrogen (N) acquisition and phosphorus (P) acquisition and significantly reduced N/P ratio of the invasive E. adenophorum and native A. annua under Cu, Su, and Nu conditions. Additionally, the biomass, N acquisition and P acquisition of E. adenophorum was greater than A. annua and the N/P ratio of E. adenophorum was significantly lower than A. annua under Cu condition, which AM fungi promoted the accumulation of biomass, N and P for E. adenophorum and A. annua, and E. adenophorum experienced a greater reduction of P limitation than A. annua via the interconnected mycorrhizal network. In conclusion, we suggest that AM fungi endow invasive plants greater alleviation of P limitation and enhancement of nutrient competition than native plants via mycorrhizal network in low-P karst soil.
Highlights
The karst landform is composed of mainly of carbonate rock and covers an area of 22 million km2 globally (Liu and Zhao, 2000)
For the mycorrhizal colonization rates of E. adenophorum and A. annua, there were non-significant differences among the common utilization (Cu), single utilization (Su), and Nu treatments. Both species had the same pattern of mycorrhizal colonization rate as follows: Su > Cu > Nu
Under M+ treatment, the stem biomass under Cu and Su was significantly greater than under Nu treatment, and under M− treatment, the individual and stem biomass under Cu and Su was significantly greater than under Nu treatment, the root and leaf showed no significant difference among Cu, Su, and Nu treatments in this study (Figures 2A–D)
Summary
The karst landform is composed of mainly of carbonate rock and covers an area of 22 million km globally (Liu and Zhao, 2000). The largest karst region in China is 1.3 million km (Wang et al, 2004; Liu et al, 2009), characterized by nutrients (especially phosphorus) and water deficit, fragile habitat and severe soil erosion especially in southwest China (Li et al, 2002), Some invasive plants, such as Eupatorium adenophorum, have successfully invaded karst habitats in southwest China, and have expanded rapidly, affecting the establishment of native plant communities (Jia et al, 2009). Alien plant invasion is possibly facilitated by a lack of natural enemies including pathogens and insect herbivores (Van der Putten et al, 2013). Research shows that soil microbes in some invaded ecosystems may promote the successful invasion of exotic plants (Callaway et al, 2004). The role of soil microbes cannot be ignored in successful plant invasions
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