Network analysis reveals ecological links between N-fixing bacteria and wood-decaying fungi.

ABSTRACT: Nitrogen availability in dead wood is highly restricted and associations with N-fixing bacteria are thought to enable wood-decaying fungi to meet their nitrogen requirements for vegetative and generative growth. We assessed the diversity of nifH (dinitrogenase reductase) genes in dead wood of the common temperate tree species Fagus sylvatica and Picea abies from differently managed forest plots in Germany using molecular tools. By incorporating these genes into a large compilation of published nifH sequences and subsequent phylogenetic analyses of deduced proteins we verified the presence of diverse pools corresponding to functional nifH, almost all of which are new to science. The distribution of nifH genes strongly correlated with tree species and decay class, but not with forest managem

SUBMITTER: Hoppe B 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3914916 | biostudies-literature | 2014

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature