Abstract
Ectomycorrhizal (ECM) fungi importantly influence seedling growth, nutrition, and survival and create an extensive mycelial network interconnecting tree species and enabling resource redistribution. Due to their symbiotic relationship with trees, they are impacted by forest disturbances, which are of increasing relevance due to climate change. The effect of disturbance on seedling colonization and their morphology is still largely unknown. Seedling growth parameters and the ECM fungal assemblage on the roots of Norway spruce (Picea abies (L.) H. Karst.) seedlings were assessed in mature spruce forests attacked and destroyed by bark beetle and in a mature non-attacked forest as a reference. We did not detect significant differences in number of ECM species on seedling roots among forest types, but ECM species composition changed; Tylospora fibrillosa (Burt) Donk, Meliniomyces variabilis Hambl. & Sigler, and Phialocephala fortinii C.J.K. Wang & H.E. Wilcox were characteristic species in the forest destroyed by bark beetle, whereas Lactarius, Cortinarius, and Russula were in the mature forest. Forest type further significantly influenced the height, root length, and root collar thickness of seedlings and the proportion of exploration types of mycorrhizae.
Highlights
Ectomycorrhizal (ECM) symbiosis represents an important relationship between plants and basidiomycetous or ascomycetous fungi
Seedlings in the forest destroyed by bark beetle (K2) had statistically taller aboveground parts (p < 0.05), a longer main root (p < 0.05), and thicker root collar than seedlings from the forest attacked by bark beetle (K1) and the mature forest (REF) (p < 0.05, Figure 2a–c, Table S2)
K1—seedlings in forest attacked by bark beetle; K2—seedlings in forest destroyed by bark beetle; REF—seedlings in mature forest
Summary
Ectomycorrhizal (ECM) symbiosis represents an important relationship between plants and basidiomycetous or ascomycetous fungi. The ecological importance of mycorrhizal infection on seedling growth properties, productivity, and establishment has already been demonstrated [2,3]. Seedlings benefit from connection to the mycorrhizal network representing mycelial linkage between plants of the same or even different plant species facilitating their growth, survival, establishment, or defensive chemistry [4]. This extensive mycelial network provides a competitive advantage to seedlings due to sufficient water and nutrient supply [4]. The plants seem to be supported irrespective of their size, status, or identity [5]
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