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Differential modulation of host plant δ 13 C and δ 18 O by native and nonnative arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi in a semiarid environment
Author(s) -
Querejeta J. I.,
Allen M. F.,
Caravaca F.,
Roldán A.
Publication year - 2006
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.1469-8137.2005.01599.x
Subject(s) - olea , biology , glomus , stomatal conductance , botany , arid , inoculation , mycorrhiza , arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi , water use efficiency , host (biology) , nutrient , native plant , introduced species , agronomy , symbiosis , photosynthesis , horticulture , ecology , bacteria , genetics
Summary• Native, drought‐adapted arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) often improve host‐plant performance to a greater extent than nonnative AMF in dry environments. However, little is known about the physiological basis for this differential plant response. • Seedlings of Olea europaea and Rhamnus lycioides were inoculated with either a mixture of eight native Glomus species or with the nonnative Glomus claroideum before field transplanting in a semiarid area. • Inoculation with native AMF produced the greatest improvement in nutrient and water status as well as in long‐term growth for both Olea and Rhamnus . Foliar δ 18 O measurements indicated that native AMF enhanced stomatal conductance to a greater extent than nonnative AMF in Olea and Rhamnus. δ 13 C data showed that intrinsic water‐use efficiency in Olea was differentially stimulated by native AMF compared with nonnative AMF. • Our results suggest that modulation of leaf gas exchange by native, drought‐adapted AMF is critical to the long‐term performance of host plants in semiarid environments. δ 18 O can provide a time‐integrated measure of the effect of mycorrhizal infection on host‐plant water relations.