Mangrove-diazotroph relationships at the root, tree and forest scales: diazotrophic communities create high soil nitrogenase activities in Rhizophora stylosa rhizospheres.

ABSTRACT:

Background and aims

The tidal flats on which mangrove plants grow tend to have low soil nitrogen contents because nitrogen-containing litter is repeatedly washed offshore by ebb tides. Under such circumstances, it is unclear how mangrove plants acquire the nitrogen required to support their vigorous growth. In the present work, chemical and biological characteristics of diazotrophy around mangrove plant roots were surveyed under natural conditions to elucidate mangrove-diazotroph relationships.

Methods

Soil nitrogenase activity of a representative mangrove plant, Rhizophora stylosa, which has a broad geographical distribution, was measured using the acetylene reduction assay at forest, tree and prop root scales. In addition, diazotrophic community composition was compared be

SUBMITTER: Inoue T 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7145623 | biostudies-literature | 2020 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature