Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi favor invasive Echinops sphaerocephalus when grown in competition with native Inula conyzae

Veronika Řezáčová,Milan Řezáč,Gail W T Wilson,Tereza Michalová,Hana Gryndlerová

doi:10.1038/s41598-020-77030-0

Abstract

In a globalized world, plant invasions are common challenges for native ecosystems. Although a considerable number of invasive plants form arbuscular mycorrhizae, interactions between arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi and invasive and native plants are not well understood. In this study, we conducted a greenhouse experiment examining how AM fungi affect interactions of co-occurring plant species in the family Asteracea, invasive Echinops sphaerocephalus and native forb of central Europe Inula conyzae. The effects of initial soil disturbance, including the effect of intact or disturbed arbuscular mycorrhizal networks (CMNs), were examined. AM fungi supported the success of invasive E. sphaerocephalus in competition with native I. conyzae, regardless of the initial disturbance of CMNs. The presence of invasive E. sphaerocephalus decreased mycorrhizal colonization in I. conyzae, with a concomitant loss in mycorrhizal benefits. Our results confirm AM fungi represent one important mechanism of plant invasion for E. sphaerocephalus in semi-natural European grasslands.

Highlights

In a globalized world, plant invasions are common challenges for native ecosystems
The abundances of arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) taxa were generally decreased (3,209,666 ± 479,223 CN mg−1 and 201 ± 196 CN m g−1 for F. mosseae and C. claroideum, respectively) at the second harvest, compared to the first (8,713,356 ± 1,055,110 CN m g−1 and 15,447 ± 4092 CN m g−1 for F. mosseae and C. claroideum, respectively; Supplementary Fig. S1), with the abundance of R. irregularis in roots of I. conyzae as the only exception (Supplementary Fig. S1)
We focused on competition of important invasive species from the family Asteraceae in central Europe with a co-occurring native forb, both are abundant in invaded semi-natural plant communities

Summary

Introduction

A considerable number of invasive plants form arbuscular mycorrhizae, interactions between arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi and invasive and native plants are not well understood. The effects of initial soil disturbance, including the effect of intact or disturbed arbuscular mycorrhizal networks (CMNs), were examined. AM mycelium often interconnects two or more plant individuals of the same or different species, establishing arbuscular (common) mycorrhizal networks These CMNs play an important role in the long-distance transport of nutrients through soil ecosystems and redistributing symbiotic benefits and costs within a plant community[14]. As invasions are context-dependent processes, other factors such as propagule pressure, climate, time of introduction[35], or disturbance[36] play a role

Methods

Results

Discussion

Conclusion