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Temporal changes in arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi communities and their driving factors in Xanthoceras sorbifolium plantations

Summary

This study examined how fungal communities associated with plant roots change as Xanthoceras sorbifolium tree plantations age from 5 to 56 years old. Researchers found that these beneficial fungi form strong partnerships with the trees at all ages, with the dominant fungus Glomus gradually becoming more abundant over time. The composition and diversity of these fungal communities are primarily influenced by soil properties like pH and carbon content, as well as by characteristics of plant roots and decomposing leaf litter.

Background

Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) communities are influenced by soil nutrients, plant and litter traits during forest ecosystem development. Xanthoceras sorbifolium is a rare woody oil tree endemic to northern China used for biodiesel production and ecological restoration. However, the extent to which soil, plant, and litter factors influence AMF communities in X. sorbifolium plantations remains unclear.

Objective

To elucidate temporal patterns of AMF community diversity changes with stand age in X. sorbifolium plantations. To quantify the relative contributions of soil, plant, and litter properties in driving AMF community changes during X. sorbifolium development.

Results

A total of 5,876 AMF ASVs were identified, classified into 1 phylum, 4 classes, 6 orders, 12 families, and 15 genera, with Glomus as the dominant genus. AMF diversity increased then decreased with stand age, showing no significant changes between 35-, 47-, and 56-year-old plantations. Soil properties explained 24% of AMF community variance independently, with soil pH, NH4+, and SOC being the most influential factors; root carbon content and specific root length were important plant drivers.

Conclusion

X. sorbifolium establishes stable symbiotic relationships with AMF across different stand ages. AMF community changes are primarily driven by soil factors, particularly soil pH and carbon content, with plant root traits and undecomposed litter carbon also playing important roles. These findings provide valuable information for developing targeted management strategies to improve nutrient sustainability in X. sorbifolium plantation forests.
  • Published in:Frontiers in Microbiology,
  • Study Type:Observational Study,
  • Source: 10.3389/fmicb.2025.1579868, PMID: 40510663
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