Effects of soil pH and calcium on mycorrhizas of Picea abies

Abstract

The effects of lime, increased soil pH and increased soil Ca concentration on the mycorrhizas of Norway spruce.[Picea abies (L.) Karst.] were studied independently of each other to elucidate the different mechanisms through which lime may influence mycorrhizas in acidic soil. In a field experiment (mature Norway spruce in podzol), lime was applied as CaCO3; increased Ca concentration without an increase in pH was achieved with CaSO4; and soil pH was increased without calcium by means of Na2CO3 and K2CO3 (Na+K treatment). Treatments were done in October, and mycorrhizas were counted from samples collected in the following June and September. All treatments increased the percentage of dead short root tips compared to controls in September, and Na+K already in June. Cenococcum geophilum Fr. increased in proportion in plots treated with Na+K.In a sand culture experiment, Norway spruce seedlings were grown from seed and inoculated with Cenococcum geophilum, or root inoculum, or left uninoculated. When mycorrhizas were beginning to form, CaCO3 and CaSO4 treatments were applied. Six weeks later, the percent of dead short root tips in both salt treatments was significantly increased from control, but formation of mycorrhizas was not inhibited by treatments.As all the treatments increased the proportion of dead short root tips, it is concluded that lime directly and adversely affected mycorrhizas of Norway spruce in sand culture and in mor humus. Both increased ionic strength and increased pH may be reasons for this rather than Ca 2+ specifically.

Characterization of the host genotype and fungal diversity in Scots pine ectomycorrhiza from natural humus microcosms using isozyme and PCR‐RFLP analyses

“…By contrast, similar investigations in forest stands (e.g. Arnebrandt & Soderstrom, 1992;Lehto, 1994) have identified ectomycorrhiza that are likely to have developed via contact with well-established mycelial networks emanating from the ectomycorrhiza of standing trees (Read, 1992).…”

Differential growth patterns and fitness may explain contrasted performances of the invasive Prunus serotina in its exotic range

“…obs. ); a low development of the root system due to the proximity of the calcareous bedrock; a lower efficiency of the mycorrhizal symbiosis of Prunus, as reported in presence of lime for other tree species (Erland and Söderström 1991;Lehto 1994;Bakker et al 2000). Limited availability of other nutrients may also contribute to the limited invasion success on calcareous soils.…”

Effects of substrate and ectomycorrhizal inoculation on the development of two-years-old container-grown Norway spruce (Picea abies Karst.) seedlings

“…Production and application of ECM inocula on a commercial scale are increasingly expanding worldwide. Several authors were concerned about the effects of inoculation by ECM fungi on ectomycorrhiza formation, physiology and/or growth of Norway spruce seedlings in aseptic (Ineichen & Wiemken 1992, Rincón et al 2003, Vaario et al 2010) and operational conditions (Le Tacon et al 1986, Lehto 1994, Vodnik & Gogala 1994, Repáč 1996, 2007, Brunner & Brodbeck 2001. Reported results are inconsistent; positive effects of application of ECM fungi were not found in all cases.…”