Mycorrhizal C/N ratio determines plant-derived carbon and nitrogen allocation to symbiosis.

ABSTRACT: Carbon allocation of trees to ectomycorrhizas is thought to shape forest nutrient cycling, but the sink activities of different fungal taxa for host resources are unknown. Here, we investigate fungal taxon-specific differences in naturally composed ectomycorrhizal (EM) communities for plant-derived carbon and nitrogen. After aboveground dual labeling of young beech with ¹⁵N and ¹³C, ectomycorrhizas formed with different fungal taxa exhibit strong differences in label enrichment. Secondary Ion Mass Spectrometry (SIMS) imaging of nitrogen in cross sections of ectomycorrhizas demonstrates plant-derived ¹⁵N in both root and fungal structures. Isotope enrichment in ectomycorrhizas correlates with that in the corresponding ectomycorrhiza-attached lateral root, su

SUBMITTER: Pena R 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10698078 | biostudies-literature | 2023 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature