Details
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Article number | 101055 |
| Journal | Rhizosphere |
| Volume | 34 |
| Early online date | 11 Mar 2025 |
| Publication status | Published - Jun 2025 |
Abstract
In semi-arid soils, limited water and nitrogen (N) restrict biological activity and plant growth. As aridity increases, understanding mycorrhizae's role in supporting plant communities and mitigating desertification is critical, especially that of common mycelial networks (CMN) linking an individual fungus with roots of multiple plants of the same or different species, impacting establishment, succession, and resilience. Although CMN research has been extensive in temperate forests and grasslands, its importance in semi-arid environments is still uncertain. This study aimed to determine whether CMN shared by semi-arid-adapted plants can assist in redistributing N from nutrient-rich sites to poor ones. We hypothesize CMN are an essential mechanism responding to spatial soil nutrient heterogeneity in semi-arid areas, aiding plant establishment and survival. Complementary controlled experiments were conducted using compartmentalized mesocosms where only mycelia could mobilize nutrients, examining CMN 15N redistribution and whether plant age/size affects directionality. We used Helianthemum almeriense as the host plant forming an ectendomycorrhiza with the mycorrhizal fungus Terfezia claveryi. Experiments revealed 15N translocation to sink compartments at varying levels, with higher translocation where plants were present. Moreover, 15N contribution to plant N pools was significantly higher in 1-month-old seedlings versus adult plants. Under controlled conditions, hyphae appear as an effective conduit for N redistribution. The results provide initial evidence that CMN may help to redistribute N between rich and poor sites in semi-arid regions. Furthermore, the CMN may contribute to the survival of new mycorrhizal seedlings developing in desert truffle plantations or wild areas. This, in turn, advances knowledge on maintaining these ecosystems over time.
Keywords
- Common mycelial network CMN, Desert truffle, Helianthemum, Mycorrhiza, Nitrogen, Terfezia
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Agricultural and Biological Sciences(all)
- Agronomy and Crop Science
- Agricultural and Biological Sciences(all)
- Soil Science
- Agricultural and Biological Sciences(all)
- Plant Science
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In: Rhizosphere, Vol. 34, 101055, 06.2025.
Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › Research › peer review
}
TY - JOUR
T1 - Determining the nutritional importance of common mycelial networks in a desert truffle mycorrhizal symbiosis for soil nitrogen redistribution
AU - Andrino, Alberto
AU - Sauheitl, Leopold
AU - Guggenberger, Georg
AU - Boy, Jens
AU - Figueiredo, Aline Fernandes
AU - Arenas, Francisco
AU - Navarro-Ródenas, Alfonso
AU - Marqués-Gálvez, José Eduardo
AU - Morte, Asunción
N1 - Publisher Copyright: © 2025 The Authors
PY - 2025/6
Y1 - 2025/6
N2 - In semi-arid soils, limited water and nitrogen (N) restrict biological activity and plant growth. As aridity increases, understanding mycorrhizae's role in supporting plant communities and mitigating desertification is critical, especially that of common mycelial networks (CMN) linking an individual fungus with roots of multiple plants of the same or different species, impacting establishment, succession, and resilience. Although CMN research has been extensive in temperate forests and grasslands, its importance in semi-arid environments is still uncertain. This study aimed to determine whether CMN shared by semi-arid-adapted plants can assist in redistributing N from nutrient-rich sites to poor ones. We hypothesize CMN are an essential mechanism responding to spatial soil nutrient heterogeneity in semi-arid areas, aiding plant establishment and survival. Complementary controlled experiments were conducted using compartmentalized mesocosms where only mycelia could mobilize nutrients, examining CMN 15N redistribution and whether plant age/size affects directionality. We used Helianthemum almeriense as the host plant forming an ectendomycorrhiza with the mycorrhizal fungus Terfezia claveryi. Experiments revealed 15N translocation to sink compartments at varying levels, with higher translocation where plants were present. Moreover, 15N contribution to plant N pools was significantly higher in 1-month-old seedlings versus adult plants. Under controlled conditions, hyphae appear as an effective conduit for N redistribution. The results provide initial evidence that CMN may help to redistribute N between rich and poor sites in semi-arid regions. Furthermore, the CMN may contribute to the survival of new mycorrhizal seedlings developing in desert truffle plantations or wild areas. This, in turn, advances knowledge on maintaining these ecosystems over time.
AB - In semi-arid soils, limited water and nitrogen (N) restrict biological activity and plant growth. As aridity increases, understanding mycorrhizae's role in supporting plant communities and mitigating desertification is critical, especially that of common mycelial networks (CMN) linking an individual fungus with roots of multiple plants of the same or different species, impacting establishment, succession, and resilience. Although CMN research has been extensive in temperate forests and grasslands, its importance in semi-arid environments is still uncertain. This study aimed to determine whether CMN shared by semi-arid-adapted plants can assist in redistributing N from nutrient-rich sites to poor ones. We hypothesize CMN are an essential mechanism responding to spatial soil nutrient heterogeneity in semi-arid areas, aiding plant establishment and survival. Complementary controlled experiments were conducted using compartmentalized mesocosms where only mycelia could mobilize nutrients, examining CMN 15N redistribution and whether plant age/size affects directionality. We used Helianthemum almeriense as the host plant forming an ectendomycorrhiza with the mycorrhizal fungus Terfezia claveryi. Experiments revealed 15N translocation to sink compartments at varying levels, with higher translocation where plants were present. Moreover, 15N contribution to plant N pools was significantly higher in 1-month-old seedlings versus adult plants. Under controlled conditions, hyphae appear as an effective conduit for N redistribution. The results provide initial evidence that CMN may help to redistribute N between rich and poor sites in semi-arid regions. Furthermore, the CMN may contribute to the survival of new mycorrhizal seedlings developing in desert truffle plantations or wild areas. This, in turn, advances knowledge on maintaining these ecosystems over time.
KW - Common mycelial network CMN
KW - Desert truffle
KW - Helianthemum
KW - Mycorrhiza
KW - Nitrogen
KW - Terfezia
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=105000630767&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1016/j.rhisph.2025.101055
DO - 10.1016/j.rhisph.2025.101055
M3 - Article
AN - SCOPUS:105000630767
VL - 34
JO - Rhizosphere
JF - Rhizosphere
M1 - 101055
ER -