Abstract
Background and aimsThe aim was to assess possible benefits or drawbacks of arbuscular-mycorrhizal (AM) and ectomycorrhizal (EM) colonisation compared to no mycorrhizas (NM) in seedlings of the same host species. Eight broadleaf species were tested for mycorrhiza formation. Grey alder (Alnus incana) and four fungal species were selected for further experiments.MethodsGrey alder seedlings were inoculated with AM fungi Rhizophagus intraradices and Glomus hoi or EM fungi Paxillus involutus plus an ascomycete isolated from Alnus roots or mock-inoculated (NM).ResultsEM formed in 70% of root tips and AM in 30% of root length. AM plants were smaller than EM and NM, but their specific root length (SRL) and specific leaf area (SLA) were highest. Net photosynthesis, stomatal conductance and shoot water potential did not differ between treatments. Foliar Ca, K, Mg, Mn, N, P and S concentrations (mg g−1) were highest in AM plants. However, total foliar contents (mg per plant) were lowest in AM plants, except for P, K and Zn.ConclusionsThe larger SRL and SLA suggest more efficient resource usage in AM plants, even though these were smaller than EM and NM plants. Grey alder is proposed as a new model species for comparisons between mycorrhiza types in cold climates.
Highlights
Most research on mycorrhizas has focused separately on one of the types of mycorrhizas at a time: ectomycorrhizas (EM), arbuscular (AM), ericoid and orchid mycorrhizas
The larger specific root length (SRL) and specific leaf area (SLA) suggest more efficient resource usage in AM plants, even though these were smaller than EM and no mycorrhizas (NM) plants
Grey alder is proposed as a new model species for comparisons between mycorrhiza types in cold climates
Summary
Most research on mycorrhizas has focused separately on one of the types of mycorrhizas at a time: ectomycorrhizas (EM), arbuscular (AM), ericoid and orchid mycorrhizas. Some woody plants are able to form both arbuscular mycorrhizas (AM) and ectomycorrhizas (EM) These include Alnus, Betula, Casuarina, Eucalyptus, Populus, Quercus and Salix species (Harley and Harley 1987; Arveby and Granhall 1998; Thormann et al 1999; Chen et al 2000; Querejeta et al 2009). These species are potentially useful as model plants for comparisons of the function of AM and EM, as they should allow studying the differences between AM and EM without the confounding effects from differences between host-plant species. Grey alder (Alnus incana) and four fungal species were selected for further experiments
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