Chemical changes in organic matter after fungal colonization in a nitrogen fertilized and unfertilized Norway spruce forest.

ABSTRACT:

Background and aims

Decomposition and transformation of organic matter (OM) in forest soils are conducted by the concomitant action of saprotrophic and mycorrhizal fungi. Here, we examine chemical changes in OM after fungal colonization in nitrogen fertilized and unfertilized soils from a Norway spruce forest.

Methods

Sand-filled bags amended with composted maize leaves were placed in the forest soil and harvested after 17 months. Infrared and near edge X-ray absorption fine structure spectroscopies were used to study the chemical changes in the OM. Fungal community composition of the bags was also evaluated.

Results

The proportion of ectomycorrhizal fungi declined in the fertilized plots, but the overall fungal community composition was similar between N treatments.

SUBMITTER: Nicolas C 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6959379 | biostudies-literature | 2017

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature