Species composition and driving factors of the ectomycorrhizal fungal community associated with <i>Pinus sylvestris</i> var. <i>mongolica</i> at different growth periods

Abstract

AimsThis study aimed to illustrate community structure, molecular ecological network and driving factors of ectomycorrhizal fungi associated with Pinus sylvestris var. mongolica at different growth periods, and provide a theoretical basis for sustainable management of P. sylvestris var. mongolica plantation.Methods Pinus sylvestris var. mongolica with different tree ages (23, 33 and 44 a) in Mau Us Sandy Land were targeted. The species compositions, interaction and main drivers of ectomycorrhizal fungi at the early growth period (Apr.), vigorous growth period (July) and the late growth period (Sept.) were identified by field investigation and sampling, illumina high-throughput sequencing and molecular ecological network analysis, respectively.Important findings 1) The growth period had significant effect on the richness and Chao1 index of ectomycorrhizal fungi, with significantly higher Chao1 and Simpson diversity index in vigorous growth period than in early and late growth periods. The tree age had no significant effect on the ectomycorrhizal fungal diversity index. 2) In Mau Us Sandy Land, the ectomycorrhizal fungi associated with P. sylvestris var. mongolica