Root-Associated Fungal Communities From Two Phenologically Contrasting Silver Fir (Abies alba Mill.) Groups of Trees

Abstract

Root-associated fungal communities are important components in ecosystem processes, impacting plant growth and vigor by influencing the quality, direction, and flow of nutrients and water between plants and fungi. Linkages of plant phenological characteristics with belowground root-associated fungal communities have rarely been investigated, and thus our aim was to search for an interplay between contrasting phenology of host ectomycorrhizal trees from the same location and root-associated fungal communities (ectomycorrhizal, endophytic, saprotrophic and pathogenic root-associated fungi) in young and in adult silver fir trees. The study was performed in a managed silver fir forest site. Twenty-four soil samples collected under two phenologically contrasting silver fir groups were analyzed for differences in root-associated fungal communities using Illumina sequencing of a total root-associated fungal community. Significant differences in beta diversity and in mean alpha diversity were confirmed for overall community of ectomycorrhizal root-associated fungi, whereas for ecologically different non-ectomycorrhizal root-associated fungal communities the differences were significant only for beta diversity and not for mean alpha diversity. At genus level root-associated fungal communities differed significantly between early and late flushing young and adult silver fir trees. We discuss the interactions through which the phenology of host plants either drives or is driven by the root-associated fungal communities in conditions of a sustainably co-naturally managed silver fir forest.

Early Stage Root-Associated Fungi Show a High Temporal Turnover, but Are Independent of Beech Progeny

“…Previously, Perez-Izquierdo and colleagues [19] found that the genotypes of Pinus pinaster is clearly structuring the associated fungal communities. Similar impacts on fungal communities were found for different genotypes of the broadleaf Populus [18] and varying phenotypes of Abies alba [17]. In contrast to the mentioned studies [17][18][19], which used trees of higher ages and bigger diameter at breast height, the beeches in our study were very young, just five years at the second sampling in 2017.…”

“…Similar impacts on fungal communities were found for different genotypes of the broadleaf Populus [18] and varying phenotypes of Abies alba [17]. In contrast to the mentioned studies [17][18][19], which used trees of higher ages and bigger diameter at breast height, the beeches in our study were very young, just five years at the second sampling in 2017. A comparable approach carried out in a pot experiment led to the same absent progeny effect on EMF communities [35].…”

The soil fungal communities in nurseries producing Abies alba

“…et Broome, Paxillus Fr., Tomentellopsis Hjortstam and Xerocomus Quél were not detected in the study. The above-mentioned species were found in fir nursery soil by Schirkonyer et al (2013), Ważny (2014) and Unuk et al (2019).…”

“…Many fungal species show phenotypic plasticity and depending on the prevailing conditions, adopt different life strategies -from saprotrophs to endophytes. Their role in the community is not always clear (Vasiliauskas et al 2007, Kowalski 2008, Kuo et al 2014, Jaber et al 2014, Unuk et al 2019. For example, the classification of the Mycena genus is very ambiguous.…”

“…For example, the classification of the Mycena genus is very ambiguous. According to Unuk et al (2019), Mycena spp. are saprotrophs however Kowalski (2008) classified Mycena galopus (Pers.)…”