Stoichiometry of carbon, nitrogen and phosphorus is closely linked to trophic modes in orchids.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Mycorrhiza is a ubiquitous form of symbiosis based on the mutual, beneficial exchange of resources between roots of autotrophic (AT) plants and heterotrophic soil fungi throughout a complex network of fungal mycelium. Mycoheterotrophic (MH) and mixotrophic (MX) plants can parasitise this system, gaining all or some (respectively) required nutrients without known reciprocity to the fungus. We applied, for the first time, an ecological stoichiometry framework to test whether trophic mode of plants influences their elemental carbon (C), nitrogen (N), and phosphorus (P) composition and may provide clues about their biology and evolution within the framework of mycorrhizal network functioning.

Results

We analysed C:N:P stoichiometry of 24 temperate orchid species and P

SUBMITTER: Minasiewicz J 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10496321 | biostudies-literature | 2023 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature