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Research article2017Peer reviewed

Recovery of the ectomycorrhizal community after termination of long-term nitrogen fertilisation of a boreal Norway spruce forest

Choma, Michal; Rappe-George, Martin O.; Barta, Jiri; Capek, Petr; Kastovska, Eva; Gardenas, Annemieke I.; Santruckova, Hana

Abstract

Ectomycorrhizal fungi (ECM) are a fundamental component of boreal forests promoting tree growth and participating in soil nutrient cycling. Increased nitrogen (N) input is known to largely influence ECM communities but their potential recovery is not well understood. Therefore, we studied the effects of long-term N-fertilisation on ECM communities, and their recovery after termination of N treatment. Fungal ITS sequencing data indicated that N-fertilisation (34 kg N ha(-1) y(-1)) for 46 y decreased the relative abundance of ECM species in the fungal community and suppressed originally dominating medium-distance fringe exploration types adapted to N-limited conditions, while the ECM diversity remained unaffected. In other plots, 23 y after termination of fertilisation at 73 kg N ha(-1) y(-1) for 23 y, the relative abundance of ECM species shifted closer to, but did not reach, control levels. These observations indicate only slow recovery of ECM community, likely due to a high soil N retention capacity. (C) 2016 Elsevier Ltd and British Mycological Society. All rights reserved.

Keywords

Boreal forest; Ectomycorrhizal fungi; Picea abies; Nitrogen fertilisation; Recovery; Exploration types; ITS sequencing

Published in

Fungal Ecology
2017, volume: 29, pages: 116-122

SLU Authors

  • Capek, Petr

    • University of South Bohemia in České Budějovice

  • Santruckova, Hana

    • University of South Bohemia in České Budějovice

Associated SLU-program

SLU Plant Protection Network

UKÄ Subject classification

Ecology
Soil Science

Publication identifier

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.funeco.2016.10.002

Permanent link to this page (URI)

https://res.slu.se/id/publ/92752