Coupled Effects of Tree Species and Understory Morel on Modulating Soil Microbial Communities and Nutrient Dynamics.

ABSTRACT: Morel mushrooms (Morchella spp.) are highly prized for their culinary and economic value. Understory cultivation, leveraging the symbiotic relationship between morels and trees, has gained increasing popularity. However, the effects of this practice on belowground microbial communities and nutrient dynamics remain poorly understood. In this study, we examined how understory cultivation of morels (Morchella sextelata) under five different tree species affects soil bacterial and fungal communities, as well as nutrient availability and mineral element content. The results revealed that soil physicochemical properties responded variably to morel cultivation under different tree species. Notably, understory morel cultivation reduced soil NO₃^--N by 38-67% acro

SUBMITTER: Yuan X 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12844048 | biostudies-literature | 2026 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature