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Nitrogen supply affects arbuscular mycorrhizal colonization of Artemisia vulgaris in a phosphate‐polluted field site
Author(s) -
Blanke Verena,
Renker Carsten,
Wagner Markus,
Füllner Kerstin,
Held Matthias,
Kuhn Arnd J.,
Buscot François
Publication year - 2005
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/j.1469-8137.2005.01374.x
Subject(s) - colonization , phosphate , arbuscular mycorrhizal , nitrogen , botany , biology , mycorrhiza , environmental science , symbiosis , agronomy , ecology , environmental chemistry , chemistry , bacteria , genetics , organic chemistry , biochemistry
Summary• Root colonization by arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) was investigated in industrially polluted grassland characterized by exceptionally high phosphorus levels (up to 120 g kg −1 soil). • Along a pollution‐induced nitrogen gradient, soil and tissue element concentrations of Artemisia vulgaris plants and their mycorrhizal status were determined. Additionally, we compared mycorrhization rates and above‐ground biomass of A. vulgaris at N‐fertilized and control plots in the N‐poor area. • Despite high soil and tissue P concentrations, plants from N‐deficient plots, which were characterized by low tissue N concentrations and N : P ratios, were strongly colonized by AMF, whereas at a plot with comparable P levels, but higher soil and plant N concentrations and N : P ratios, mycorrhization rates were significantly lower. Correlation analyses revealed a negative relationship between percentage root colonization of A. vulgaris by AMF and both tissue N concentration and N : P ratio. Accordingly, in the fertilization experiment, control plants had higher mycorrhization rates than N‐fertilized plants, whereas the species attained higher biomass at N‐fertilized plots. • The results suggest that N deficiency stimulates root colonization by AMF in this extraordinarily P‐rich field site.