Many plant species simultaneously interact with multiple symbionts, which can, but do not always, generate synergistic benefits for their host. We ask if plant life history (i.e. annual vs perennial) can play an important role in the outcomes of the tripartite symbiosis of legumes, arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF), and rhizobia.We performed a meta-analysis of 88 studies examining outcomes of legume-AMF-rhizobia interactions on plant and microbial growth.Perennial legumes associating with AMF and rhizobia grew larger than expected based on their response to either symbiont alone (i.e. their response to co-inoculation was synergistic). By contrast, annual legume growth with co-inoculation did not differ from additive expectations. AMF and rhizobia differentially increased phosphorus (P) and nitrogen (N) tissue concentration. Rhizobium nodulation increased with mycorrhizal fungi inoculation, but mycorrhizal fungi colonization did not increase with rhizobium inoculation. Microbial responses to co-infection were significantly correlated with synergisms in plant growth.Our work supports a balanced plant stoichiometry mechanism for synergistic benefits. We find that synergisms are in part driven by reinvestment in complementary symbionts, and that time-lags in realizing benefits of reinvestment may limit synergisms in annuals. Optimization of microbiome composition to maximize synergisms may be critical to productivity, particularly for perennial legumes.

RESUMO A mudança no uso da terra, aliada às práticas de manejo, contribui para as alterações entre as entradas e saídas de carbono do solo. O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar a dinâmica do carbono no solo em ecossistemas nativos e plantações florestais de Santa Catarina. O trabalho foi conduzido entre os meses de fevereiro e maio de 2007. As áreas avaliadas foram: Campo Nativo (CN); Floresta Ombrófila Mista (FOM); Reflorestamento de Eucalipto (RE) e Pinus (RP). Foram analisados os estoques de carbono, carbono na biomassa microbiana (CBM); respiração basal do solo (RBS) e quocientes microbiano e metabólico (qMic e qCO2). As maiores concentrações de carbono foram encontradas na FOM e no CN, e os atributos bioquímicos indicam que o CN e a FOM possuem a melhor capacidade de armazenar carbono no solo, entre todos os sistemas de uso da terra analisados. Nos reflorestamentos de Eucalipto e Pinus, os altos índices de RBS, qCO2 e as baixas concentrações de CBM sugerem que esses sistemas de uso da terra perdem mais CO2 para atmosfera do que os ambientes nativos.

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Yerba mate (Ilex paraguariensis St. Hill.) is an important woody tree in South America, however the production of quality seedlings is a major problem. Microorganisms that promote plant growth have shown to be efficient biotechnologies in the production of seedlings. The arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF), it establishes symbiosis with several plant species and increases the accumulation of biomass and absorption of poorly mobile nutrients such as phosphorus. Here, we test the effects of two AMF species on growth, root architecture, phosphorus accumulation and gas exchange of yerba mate seedlings cultivated under different phosphorus levels. We used seedlings in a non-sterile soil, inoculated with AMFs Rhizophagus clarus SCT720A and Acaulospora colombiana SCT115A, and non-inoculated (control) treatment under five levels of phosphorus (0; 25; 50; 100 and 200% recommendation). After 90 days of AMF inoculation, plant dry biomass, root architecture and mycorrhizal colonization were determined and after 180 days, the same parameters plus photosynthetic rate, transpiration rate, stomatal conductance and P content were evaluated. AMF inoculation increased shoot and root dry biomass, total root length, root volume. Plants inoculated with AMF showed higher photosynthesis rate. Phosphorus content and mycorrhizal colonization were increased almost three times when inoculated with AMF. Our findings highlight the importance of AMF inoculation for Ilex paraguariensis seedlings production, reducing the time needed in nurseries to enhance tree performance. HIGHLIGHTS• Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) inoculation increases root development and photosynthesis of yerba mate.• The inoculation of AMF improves yerba mate growth and can reduce the time needed in nurseries.• No P supply was needed to produce I. paraguariensis seedlings inoculated with AMF.

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