Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungal colonization and soil pH induced by nitrogen and phosphorus additions affects leaf C:N:P stoichiometry in Chinese fir (Cunninghamia lanceolata) forests

Abstract

The aim of this study was to investigate the mechanisms by which nitrogen (N) and phosphorous (P) additions affect plant C:N:P stoichiometry via changes in AMF communities in a Chinese fir plantation. Experimental plots in a 10-year-old Chinese fir plantation were treated with N addition (LN, 30 kg•ha−1•yr−1, and HN, 60 kg•ha−1•yr−1) and P addition (LP, 20 mg•kg−1, and HP, 40 mg•kg−1) for 2 years starting from 2017. Soil properties, leaf C:N:P stoichiometry, and changes in AMF community composition and diversity were measured. N or P addition increased soil N availability, decreased P availability, and increased N:P in the leaves and soil. Changes in soil pH induced by N and P additions affected the colonization rate and spore density of AMF. AMF colonization rate was increased by N or P addition, and AMF diversity was increased by LN addition. N and P additions altered AMF species composition, and the dominant genus of the AMF in the soil was Glomus in all treatments. The interaction of N and P treatments had no significant effect on AMF diversity. AMF colonization rate and diversity, rather than its composition, affected leaf C:N:P stoichiometry. N and P additions affected colonization rate and diversity of AMF though changes in soil pH, which drove leaf C:N:P stoichiometry, and potentially affected forest productivity via the fungi-soil-plant system.