The plant–mycorrhizal fungi collaboration gradient depends on plant functional group

Summary

This controlled microcosm study examined how 14 grassland plant species across three functional groups (grasses, legumes, non-leguminous forbs) respond to colonisation by three arbuscular mycorrhizal fungal taxa. Legumes showed the highest mycorrhizal dependency (91.9%), followed by forbs (77.1%) and grasses (42.1%), whilst mycorrhizal species sensitivity was independent of plant functional group. The research demonstrates that plant functional group, root morphology and leaf traits are interlinked with the magnitude and specificity of mycorrhizal plant–fungal responses.

UK applicability

The findings are applicable to UK grassland systems, particularly for understanding how native and cultivated pasture species vary in their dependence on AMF—relevant to grazing management and pasture productivity. However, the controlled microcosm conditions may not fully replicate field-scale soil complexity, nutrient availability or environmental variability typical of UK grasslands.

Key measures

Mycorrhizal dependency (MD), mycorrhizal species sensitivity (MSS), plant growth response (%), AMF colonisation rate, total dry biomass, specific root length (SRL), specific leaf area (SLA)

Outcomes reported

The study measured mycorrhizal dependency (MD) and mycorrhizal species sensitivity (MSS) across 14 grassland plant species representing three functional groups exposed to three AMF taxa. Plant growth responses to AMF colonisation ranged from −84.9% to +94.0%, with MD and MSS correlated to specific plant functional traits including specific root length and specific leaf area.

Topic tags