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Soil fungal mycelia have unexpectedly flexible stoichiometric C:N and C:P ratios
Author(s) -
Camenzind Tessa,
Philipp Grenz Kay,
Lehmann Johannes,
Rillig Matthias C.
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
ecology letters
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 6.852
H-Index - 265
eISSN - 1461-0248
pISSN - 1461-023X
DOI - 10.1111/ele.13632
Subject(s) - ecological stoichiometry , biogeochemical cycle , mycelium , nutrient cycle , nutrient , phosphorus , biogeochemistry , ecology , biology , soil water , microbial ecology , environmental chemistry , cycling , microorganism , nitrogen , nitrogen cycle , carbon cycle , botany , ecosystem , chemistry , bacteria , organic chemistry , history , genetics , archaeology
Soil ecological stoichiometry provides powerful theories to integrate the complex interplay of element cycling and microbial communities into biogeochemical models. One essential assumption is that microbes maintain stable C:N:P (carbon:nitrogen:phosphorus) ratios independent of resource supply, although such homeostatic regulations have rarely been assessed in individual microorganisms. Here, we report an unexpected high flexibility in C:N and C:P values of saprobic fungi along nutrient supply gradients, overall ranging between 7‐126 and 20‐1488, respectively, questioning microbial homeostasis. Fungal N:P varied comparatively less due to simultaneous reductions in mycelial N and P contents. As a mechanism, internal recycling processes during mycelial growth and an overall reduced N and P uptake appear more relevant than element storage. The relationships among fungal stoichiometry and growth disappeared in more complex media. These findings affect our interpretation of stoichiometric imbalances among microbes and soils and are highly relevant for developing microbial soil organic carbon and nitrogen models.