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Mycorrhizal symbiosis pathway and edaphic fertility frame root economics space among tree species
Author(s) -
Yan Han,
Freschet Grégoire T.,
Wang Huimin,
Hogan James Aaron,
Li Shenggong,
ValverdeBarrantes Oscar J.,
Fu Xiaoli,
Wang Ruili,
Dai Xiaoqin,
Jiang Lei,
Meng Shengwang,
Yang Fengting,
Zhang Miaomiao,
Kou Liang
Publication year - 2022
Publication title -
new phytologist
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 3.742
H-Index - 244
eISSN - 1469-8137
pISSN - 0028-646X
DOI - 10.1111/nph.18066
Subject(s) - edaphic , biology , symbiosis , abiotic component , soil fertility , ecology , botany , soil water , genetics , bacteria
Summary The root economics space (RES) is multidimensional and largely shaped by belowground biotic and abiotic influences. However, how root–fungal symbioses and edaphic fertility drive this complexity remains unclear. Here, we measured absorptive root traits of 112 tree species in temperate and subtropical forests of China, including traits linked to functional differences between arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) and ectomycorrhizal (ECM) hosts. Our data, from known mycorrhizal tree species, revealed a ‘fungal‐symbiosis’ dimension distinguishing AM from ECM species. This divergence likely resulted from the contrasting mycorrhizal evolutionary development of AM vs ECM associations. Increased root tissue cortical space facilitates AM symbiosis, whereas increased root branching favours ECM symbiosis. Irrespective of mycorrhizal type, a ‘root‐lifespan’ dimension reflecting aspects of root construction cost and defence was controlled by variation in specific root length and root tissue density, which was fully independent of root nitrogen content. Within this function‐based RES, we observed a substantial covariation of axes with soil phosphorus and nitrate levels, highlighting the role played by these two axes in nutrient acquisition and conservation. Overall, our findings demonstrate the importance of evolved mycorrhizal symbiosis pathway and edaphic fertility in framing the RES, and provide theoretical and mechanistic insights into the complexity of root economics.