Ectomycorrhizal fungi - potential organic matter decomposers, yet not saprotrophs

Abstract

Although hypothesized for many years, the involvement of ectomycorrhizal fungi in decomposition of soil organic matter remains controversial and has not yet been fully acknowledged as an important factor in the regulation of soil carbon (C) storage. Here, we review recent findings, which support the view that some ectomycorrhizal fungi have the capacity to oxidize organic matter, either by brown-rot' Fenton chemistry or using white-rot' peroxidases. We propose that ectomycorrhizal fungi benefit from organic matter decomposition primarily through increased nitrogen mobilization rather than through release of metabolic C and question the view that ectomycorrhizal fungi may act as facultative saprotrophs. Finally, we discuss how mycorrhizal decomposition may influence organic matter storage in soils and mediate responses of ecosystem C sequestration to environmental changes.

Keywords

carbon sequestration; decomposition; ectomycorrhiza; nitrogen cycling; organic matter oxidation; priming effect

Published in

New Phytologist
2015, volume: 205, number: 4, pages: 1443-1447
Publisher: WILEY-BLACKWELL

SLU Authors

• Lindahl, Björn

  • Department of Soil and Environment, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences
    

UKÄ Subject classification

Ecology
Microbiology

Publication identifier

• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/nph.13201

Permanent link to this page (URI)

https://res.slu.se/id/publ/66280