Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 26, 2025

A Simple Planting Technique for Re-establishing Trees Where Frequent Inundation Occurs
Published on: January 26, 2018
Context-dependent benefits of forest soil addition on Aleppo pine seedling performance under drought and grass
Lior Herol1, Mor Avidar1, Shahar Yirmiahu1
1Department of Environmental Sciences, Tel-Hai College, Qiryat Shemona, Israel.
Abstract:
Seedling establishment under natural conditions is limited by numerous interacting factors. Here, we tested the combined effects of drought, herbaceous competition, and ectomycorrhizal inoculation on the performance of Aleppo pine seedlings grown in a net-house. The roots of all pine seedlings were strongly dominated by Geopora, a fungal genus known to colonize seedlings in dry habitats. Ectomycorrhizal fungi (EMF) inoculum significantly increased seedling height, biomass, and the number of side branches. However, under either competition or drought, the positive effect of EMF on seedling biomass and height was greatly reduced, while the effect on shoot branching was maintained. Further, under a combination of drought and competition, EMF had no influence on either plant growth or shape. The discrepancy in pine performance across treatments highlights the complexity of benefits provided to seedlings by EMF under ecologically relevant settings.
Related Concept Videos
Responses to Drought and Flooding
Threats to Biodiversity
Adaptations that Reduce Water Loss
Responses to Salt Stress

