Temporal and Spatial Variations in Root-associated Fungi Associated with Pinus sylvestris var. mongolica in the Semi-arid and Dry Sub-humid Desertified Regions of Northern China

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To illuminate the ecological functions of root-associated fungi (RAF) and their interactions with host plants, we revealed the root-associated fungal diversity and community compositions of Pinus sylvestris var. mongolica involving natural forests and plantations (half-mature, nearly mature, and mature forests) in the Hulunbuir Desert, Horqin Desert, and Mu Us Desert and investigated the environmental driving factors (climatic condition and soil property). The results indicated that: 1 the diversity of RAF in the natural forests was significantly lower than that in plantations (P<0.05), and the values were highest in the Mu Us Desert. There was a distinct geographical distribution in the RAF community, but the influence of stand age was not significant (P>0.05). 2 The relative abundance of ectomycorrhizal fungi (50.49%) in natural forests was higher than that in plantations, such as Acephala, Mycena, and Suillus. The indicator genera were diverse involving the natural forests (Acephala) and plantations in the Hulunbuir Desert (Sarcodon), Horqin Desert (Russula and Calostoma), and Mu Us Desert (Geopora, Mallocybe, and Tomentella). 3 The indicator genera were mainly affected by available nitrogen content, available phosphorus content, and stand age, and few indicator genera were related to soil water content, pH, and total nitrogen content. A total of 43.25% of the variation in the RAF community was accounted for by both geographic location and environmental factors. Overall, geographic location and environmental factors shaped the spatial variation in the RAF structure and function of P. sylvestris natural forests and plantations in the semi-arid and dry sub-humid desertified regions; there were no significant temporal variations in RAF across stand ages, but the nonuniformity in fungal distribution with stand ageing cannot be ignored. The large population of symbiotic fungi in natural forests was conducive to the healthy growth of hosts; the ratio of symbiotic, saprophytic, and pathotrophic fungi varied in different plantations, and the increase in the proportion of saprophytic and pathotrophic fungi may have negative effects on the growth and health of plantations. This improved information will provide a theoretical basis for the management of P. sylvestris plantations.