Comparison of root morphology and rhizosphere microbial communities form moso-bamboo in different forest types.

Abstract

Moso-bamboo (Phyllostachys edulis), with the favor of human disturbance, rapidly invades adjacent forests to form monocultures in East Asia. Moso-bamboo not only intrudes the broadleaf forests but also the coniferous, and it could impact by above- and below-ground pathways. However, it still remains unclear whether the below-ground performance of moso-bamboo differs from broadleaf to coniferous forests, especially those differing in competitive and nutrient acquisition strategies. In this study, we investigated three types of forest stands in Guangdong, China, including a bamboo monoculture, a coniferous forest, and a broadleaf forest. We found that moso-bamboo may suffer stronger soil P limitation (soil N/P = 18.16) and may be infected by more AMF in coniferous than broadleaf forests (soil N/P = 16.17). Based on our PLS-path model analysis, soil P resource may be the key to differ moso-bamboo root morphology and rhizosphere microbe in different forests: in broadleaf forests with weaker soil P limitation, may be realized through increasing specific root length and specific surface area, whereas in coniferous forests with stronger soil, P limitation may be realized through combining more AMF. Our study highlights the importance of underground mechanisms about moso-bamboo expansion in different forest communities.