Ectomycorrhizal fungi reduce the light compensation point and promote carbon fixation of Pinus thunbergii seedlings to adapt to shade environments.

ABSTRACT: We examined the effects of three ectomycorrhizal (ECM) symbionts on the growth and photosynthesis capacity of Japanese black pine (Pinus thunbergii) seedlings and estimated physiological and photosynthetic parameters such as the light compensation point (LCP), biomass, and phosphorus (Pi) concentration of P. thunbergii seedlings. Through this investigation, we documented a new role of ectomycorrhizal (ECM) fungi: enhancement of the survival and competitiveness of P. thunbergii seedlings under low-light condition by reducing the LCP of seedlings. At a CO₂ concentration of 400 ppm, the LCP of seedlings with ECM inoculations was 40-70 μmol photons m^-2 s^-1, significantly lower than that of non-mycorrhizal (NM) seedlings (200 μmol photons m^-2 s^-1

SUBMITTER: Shi L 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5645441 | biostudies-literature | 2017 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature