Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 14, 2026

Inoculating and Observing Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Cultures on Superabsorbent Polymer-Based Autotrophic Systems
Published on: June 14, 2024
Arbuscular mycorrhizal mycelial respiration in a moist tropical forest
Andrew T Nottingham1, Benjamin L Turner2, Klaus Winter2
1Department of Plant Sciences, University of Cambridge, Downing Street, Cambridge CB2 3EA, UK.
Abstract:
*Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) are widespread in tropical forests and represent a major sink of photosynthate, yet their contribution to soil respiration in such ecosystems remains unknown. *Using in-growth mesocosms we measured AMF mycelial respiration in two separate experiments: (1) an experiment in a semi-evergreen moist tropical forest, and (2) an experiment with 6-m-tall Pseudobombax septenatum in 4.5-m(3) containers, for which we also determined the dependence of AMF mycelial respiration on the supply of carbon from the plant using girdling and root-cutting treatments. *In the forest, AMF mycelia respired carbon at a rate of 1.4 t ha(-1) yr(-1), which accounted for 14 +/- 6% of total soil respiration and 26 +/- 12% of root-derived respiration. For P. septenatum, 40 +/- 6% of root-derived respiration originated from AMF mycelia and carbon was respired < 4 h after its supply from roots. *We conclude that arbuscular mycorrhizal mycelial respiration can be substantial in lowland tropical forests. As it is highly dependent on the recent supply of carbon from roots, a function of aboveground fixation, AMF mycelial respiration is therefore an important pathway of carbon flux from tropical forest trees to the atmosphere.
Related Concept Videos
Epiphytes, Parasites, and Carnivores
The Roles of Bacteria and Fungi in Plant Nutrition
Microbial Interactions: Mutualism
Microbe-Plant Interactions
C4 Pathway and CAM
C4 Pathway
The C4 pathway is used by plants such as...
Fungal Group Zygomycota
