Host Plant—Ectomycorrhizal Fungus Combination Drives Resource Allocation in Willow: Evidence for Complex Species Interaction from a Simple Experiment

Root-associated mycorrhizal fungi affect plant growth and resource allocation. Our major aim was to explore the plant-internal mechanisms behind the effects of mycorrhizal colonization on leaf chemistry of willow (Salix spp.). Combinations of 2 willow varieties (Loden, Tora) and 2 ectomycorrhizal fu...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Published in:Écoscience (Sainte-Foy) 2013, Vol.20 (2), p.112-121
Main Authors: Fransson, Petra M. A, Toljander Ylva K, Baum Christel, Weih Martin
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
biomass production
carbon
chemistry
dry matter partitioning
ectomycorrhiza
ectomycorrhizae
Hebeloma
host plants
leaves
microbial biomass
mycocentric
mycorrhizal fungi
phenolics
phytocentric
plant growth
prediction
resource allocation
salicylic acid
Salix
Tricholoma
Online Access:Get full text
Tags: Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
Description
Summary:Root-associated mycorrhizal fungi affect plant growth and resource allocation. Our major aim was to explore the plant-internal mechanisms behind the effects of mycorrhizal colonization on leaf chemistry of willow (Salix spp.). Combinations of 2 willow varieties (Loden, Tora) and 2 ectomycorrhizal fungal species (Hebeloma fastibile, Tricholoma cingulatum) were grown under controlled conditions. Host plant variety and fungal species effects on host resource allocation (biomass and leaf chemistry) varied in a complex way. Shoot biomass growth and allocation was mostly affected by host plant variety, whereas leaf and root biomass allocation were strongly affected by mycorrhizal treatment. Leaf biomass production was affected by willow variety, mycorrhizal treatment, and the interaction between them. The results indicate a strong effect of mycorrhizal colonization on host plant biomass allocation, which can mediate mycorrhizal effects on leaf chemistry. For example, leaf biomass allocation was inversely correlated with foliar concentrations of salicylic acid, suggesting a functional link between the two. However, the apparent complexity of the host plant variety-fungal species interaction makes any prediction of their possible outcome very difficult, especially in an ecological context. Still, fungal species identity seems to be more important for the responses of Salix to mycorrhizal colonization than the amount of fungal biomass.
ISSN:1195-6860
2376-7626