Final published version
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Research output: Contribution to Journal/Magazine › Journal article › peer-review
Research output: Contribution to Journal/Magazine › Journal article › peer-review
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TY - JOUR
T1 - Environmental dependency of ectomycorrhizal fungi as soil organic matter oxidizers
AU - Chen, Qiuyu
AU - Strashnov, Ilya
AU - van Dongen, Bart
AU - Johnson, David
AU - Cox, Filipa
N1 - Publisher Copyright: © 2024 The Author(s). New Phytologist © 2024 New Phytologist Foundation.
PY - 2024/12/31
Y1 - 2024/12/31
N2 - Forest soils play a pivotal role as global carbon (C) sinks, where the dynamics of soil organic matter (SOM) are significantly influenced by ectomycorrhizal (ECM) fungi. While correlations between ECM fungal community composition and soil C storage have been documented, the underlying mechanisms behind this remain unclear. Here, we conducted controlled experiments using pure cultures growing on naturally complex SOM extracts to test how ECM fungi regulate soil C and nitrogen (N) dynamics in response to varying inorganic N availability, in both monoculture and mixed culture conditions. ECM species dominant in N-poor soils exhibited superior SOM decay capabilities compared with those prevalent in N-rich soils. Inorganic N addition alleviated N limitation for ECM species but exacerbated their C limitation, reflected by reduced N compound decomposition and increased C compound decomposition. In mixed cultures without inorganic N supplementation, ECM species with greater SOM decomposition potential facilitated the persistence of less proficient SOM decomposers. Regardless of inorganic N availability, ECM species in mixed cultures demonstrated a preference for C over N, intensifying relatively labile C compound decomposition. This study highlights the complex interactions between ECM species, their nutritional requirements, the nutritional environment of their habitat, and their role in modifying SOM.
AB - Forest soils play a pivotal role as global carbon (C) sinks, where the dynamics of soil organic matter (SOM) are significantly influenced by ectomycorrhizal (ECM) fungi. While correlations between ECM fungal community composition and soil C storage have been documented, the underlying mechanisms behind this remain unclear. Here, we conducted controlled experiments using pure cultures growing on naturally complex SOM extracts to test how ECM fungi regulate soil C and nitrogen (N) dynamics in response to varying inorganic N availability, in both monoculture and mixed culture conditions. ECM species dominant in N-poor soils exhibited superior SOM decay capabilities compared with those prevalent in N-rich soils. Inorganic N addition alleviated N limitation for ECM species but exacerbated their C limitation, reflected by reduced N compound decomposition and increased C compound decomposition. In mixed cultures without inorganic N supplementation, ECM species with greater SOM decomposition potential facilitated the persistence of less proficient SOM decomposers. Regardless of inorganic N availability, ECM species in mixed cultures demonstrated a preference for C over N, intensifying relatively labile C compound decomposition. This study highlights the complex interactions between ECM species, their nutritional requirements, the nutritional environment of their habitat, and their role in modifying SOM.
KW - Amanita rubescens
KW - ectomycorrhizal fungi
KW - Hebeloma velutipes
KW - inorganic nitrogen availability
KW - interspecific interactions
KW - Lactarius rufus
KW - soil organic matter
KW - Suillus variegatus
U2 - 10.1111/nph.20205
DO - 10.1111/nph.20205
M3 - Journal article
C2 - 39417445
AN - SCOPUS:85206814059
VL - 244
SP - 2536
EP - 2547
JO - New Phytologist
JF - New Phytologist
SN - 0028-646X
IS - 6
ER -