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Updated: Jun 26, 2026
09:17
Investigation of Plant Interactions Across Common Mycorrhizal Networks Using Rotated Cores
Published on: March 26, 2019
Changes in ectomycorrhizal community structure on two containerized oak hosts across an experimental hydrologic
J Cavender-Bares1,2, A Izzo3,4, R Robinson5
1Department of Ecology, Evolution, and Behavior, University of Minnesota, 1987 Upper Buford Circle, Saint Paul, MN, 55108, USA. cavender@umn.edu.
Mycorrhiza
|January 15, 2009
Summary
Ectomycorrhizal (ECM) fungal communities in oak seedlings shifted with soil moisture and host species. These changes highlight the influence of both environmental and plant factors on ECM structure.
Area of Science:
- Ecology
- Mycology
- Plant Science
Background:
- Ectomycorrhizal (ECM) fungi form symbiotic relationships with trees, influencing nutrient uptake and plant health.
- Understanding ECM community dynamics is crucial for forest ecosystem functioning and resilience.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate how soil moisture levels affect ECM fungal community structure in oak seedlings.
- To determine if different oak species influence ECM fungal assemblages.
Main Methods:
- Containerized seedlings of Quercus montana and Quercus palustris were exposed to an experimental hydrologic gradient.
- ECM fungal morphotypes were identified using DNA sequencing of the ITS1/5.8S/ITS2 region.
- Community structure was analyzed using Analysis of Similarity (ANOSIM).
Main Results:
- Twelve distinct ECM molecular types were identified across the experiment.
- Significant shifts in ECM fungal community composition were observed along the soil moisture gradient.
- The genera Tuber and the family Thelephoraceae were key contributors to these shifts.
- Significant differences in ECM communities were found between the two oak species.
Conclusions:
- ECM fungal community structure is sensitive to both abiotic (soil moisture) and biotic (host plant) factors.
- Changes in soil moisture can significantly alter ECM fungal assemblages in oak seedlings.
- Host plant species identity plays a role in shaping ECM fungal communities, even within the same genus.
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