Ectomycorrhizal fungi mediate belowground carbon transfer between pines and oaks.

ABSTRACT: Inter-kingdom belowground carbon (C) transfer is a significant, yet hidden, biological phenomenon, due to the complexity and highly dynamic nature of soil ecology. Among key biotic agents influencing C allocation belowground are ectomycorrhizal fungi (EMF). EMF symbiosis can extend beyond the single tree-fungus partnership to form common mycorrhizal networks (CMNs). Despite the high prevalence of CMNs in forests, little is known about the identity of the EMF transferring the C and how these in turn affect the dynamics of C transfer. Here, Pinus halepensis and Quercus calliprinos saplings growing in forest soil were labeled using a ¹³CO₂ labeling system. Repeated samplings were applied during 36 days to trace how ¹³C was distributed along the tree-fungus-tre

SUBMITTER: Cahanovitc R 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9039061 | biostudies-literature | 2022 May

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature