Ectomycorrhizal utilization of different phosphorus sources in a glacier forefront in the Italian Alps
Articolo
Data di Pubblicazione:
2020
Citazione:
Ectomycorrhizal utilization of different phosphorus sources in a glacier forefront in the Italian Alps / M. D’Amico, J.P. Almeida, S. Barbieri, F. Castelli, E. Sgura, G. Sineo, M. Martin, E. Bonifacio, H. Wallander, L. Celi. - In: PLANT AND SOIL. - ISSN 0032-079X. - 446:1-2(2020), pp. 81-95. [10.1007/s11104-019-04342-0]
Abstract:
Aims
In deglaciated surfaces, lithology influences habitat development. In particular, serpentinite inhibits soil evolution and plant colonization because of insufficient phosphorus (P) content, among other stressful properties. In nutrient-poor environments, ectomycorrhizal fungi (EMF) play a key role exploring the soil for P beyond the rhizosphere. In this study, we followed the role of EMF in accessing inorganic and organic P along two proglacial soil chronosequences in the Alps (NW Italy), respectively characterized by pure serpentinite till and serpentinite mixed with 10% of gneiss, and colonized by European Larch.
Methods
The access to inorganic and organic P forms by EMF was studied using specific mesh-bags for fungal hyphae entry, filled with quartz sand and inorganic phosphate (Pi) or myo-inositolhexaphosphate (InsP6) adsorbed onto goethite. They were incubated over 13 months at the organic/mineral horizon interface. After harvesting, EMF colonization via ergosterol analysis and the amount of P and Fe removed from mesh bags were measured.
Results
Ergosterol increased along the two chronosequences with slightly greater values on serpentinite and in Pi-containing bags. Up to 65% of Pi was removed from mesh-bags, only partly accompanied by a parallel release of Fe. The amount of InsP6 released was instead less than 45% and mostly removed with goethite.
Conclusions
The results suggest that, in extremely P-poor environments, EMF are able to release both inorganic and organic P forms from highly stabilized associations.
In deglaciated surfaces, lithology influences habitat development. In particular, serpentinite inhibits soil evolution and plant colonization because of insufficient phosphorus (P) content, among other stressful properties. In nutrient-poor environments, ectomycorrhizal fungi (EMF) play a key role exploring the soil for P beyond the rhizosphere. In this study, we followed the role of EMF in accessing inorganic and organic P along two proglacial soil chronosequences in the Alps (NW Italy), respectively characterized by pure serpentinite till and serpentinite mixed with 10% of gneiss, and colonized by European Larch.
Methods
The access to inorganic and organic P forms by EMF was studied using specific mesh-bags for fungal hyphae entry, filled with quartz sand and inorganic phosphate (Pi) or myo-inositolhexaphosphate (InsP6) adsorbed onto goethite. They were incubated over 13 months at the organic/mineral horizon interface. After harvesting, EMF colonization via ergosterol analysis and the amount of P and Fe removed from mesh bags were measured.
Results
Ergosterol increased along the two chronosequences with slightly greater values on serpentinite and in Pi-containing bags. Up to 65% of Pi was removed from mesh-bags, only partly accompanied by a parallel release of Fe. The amount of InsP6 released was instead less than 45% and mostly removed with goethite.
Conclusions
The results suggest that, in extremely P-poor environments, EMF are able to release both inorganic and organic P forms from highly stabilized associations.
Tipologia IRIS:
01 - Articolo su periodico
Keywords:
Ectomycorrhizae; Mesh bags experiment; Phosphorus uptake; Primary succession; Serpentinite soils; Soil chronosequence
Elenco autori:
M. D’Amico, J.P. Almeida, S. Barbieri, F. Castelli, E. Sgura, G. Sineo, M. Martin, E. Bonifacio, H. Wallander, L. Celi
Link alla scheda completa: