Consumption of mycorrhizal and saprophytic fungi by Collembola in grassland soils

• Published in: Soil biology & biochemistry 2007-10, Vol.39 (10), p.2594-2602
• Main Authors: Jonas, Jayne L., Wilson, Gail W.T., White, Paul M., Joern, Anthony
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Agronomy. Soil science and plant productions; Andropogon gerardii; Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi; Biochemistry and biology; Biological and medical sciences; C3 plants; C4 plants; Chemical, physicochemical, biochemical and biological properties; Collembola; Economic plant physiology; feeding preferences; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; grasses; Grassland; grassland soils; mycorrhizal fungi; Natural abundance stable isotopes; Pascopyrum smithii; Physics, chemistry, biochemistry and biology of agricultural and forest soils; saprophytes; Saprophytic fungi; soil arthropods; soil fungi; Soil science; Symbiosis (nodules, symbiotic nitrogen fixation, mycorrhiza...); vesicular arbuscular mycorrhizae; Zoology (interactions between soil fauna and agricultural or forest soils); δ 13C
• ISSN: 0038-0717; 1879-3428
• DOI: 10.1016/j.soilbio.2007.05.004

Although soil-dwelling Collembola can influence plant growth and nutrient cycling, their specific role in soil food webs is poorly understood. Soil-free microcosm studies suggest that Collembola are primarily fungivores where they feed preferentially on saprophytic fungi (SF) over other fungal types. We directly assessed collembolan consumption of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) and SF using plant–soil mesocosms and natural abundance stable carbon isotope techniques. Mycorrhizal Andropogon gerardii (C 4 grass) seedlings were placed in pots containing Collembola and soil from a C 3 plant dominated site, while mycorrhizal Pascopyrum smithii (C 3 grass) seedlings were placed in pots with Collembola and soil collected at a C 4 plant dominated site. After 6 weeks, collembolans assimilated carbon derived from C 3 and C 4 sources in both A. gerardii and P. smithii treatments. Comparing Collembola isotope values in AMF vs. AMF-suppressed treatments, our data show that both AMF and SF were consumed in these experimental soil environments.