Spatial patterns of ectomycorrhizal assemblages in a monospecific forest in relation to host tree genotype.

ABSTRACT: Ectomycorrhizas (EcM) are important for soil exploration and thereby may shape belowground interactions of roots. We investigated the composition and spatial structures of EcM assemblages in relation to host genotype in an old-growth, monospecific beech (Fagus sylvatica) forest. We hypothesized that neighboring roots of different beech individuals are colonized by similar EcM assemblages if host genotype had no influence on the fungal colonization and that the similarity would decrease with increasing distance of the sampling points. The alternative was that the EcM species showed preferences for distinct beech genotypes resulting in intraspecific variation of EcM-host assemblages. EcM species identities, abundance and exploration type as well as the genotypes of the colonized roots were d

SUBMITTER: Lang C 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3633777 | biostudies-literature | 2013

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature