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Tree species and soil nutrients drive tropical reforestation more than associations with mycorrhizal fungi

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Abstract

Aims

The relative benefits that mycorrhizal fungi confer to host plants and reforestation efforts may differ due to the host tree species and soil nutrient status. Our research objective was to examine the effects of mycorrhizal fungi, host tree species, and soil nutrient availability on nutrient acquisition in tropical reforestation.

Methods

Four tree species (Pinus caribaea, Quercus insignis, Swietenia macrophylla, and Terminalia amazonia) were planted across eight sites and subjected to five nutrient treatments in southern Costa Rica.

Results

After two years, there were strong growth differences based upon tree species but not mycorrhizal fungi. Site variation, specifically base cation availability, and nutrient treatments also influenced tree growth and tissue nutrient concentrations. In a complementary greenhouse experiment isolating fungal from tree species effects, the ratio of nutrients in treatments was more important to tree growth responses to fungal symbionts than individual nutrients.

Conclusions

These results show that soil nutrient availability may be more important to tree species’ nutrient acquisition than mycorrhizal fungi. This study highlights the importance of tree species selection and replication across sites with different soil nutrient ratios in order to make management recommendations for reforestation success.

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Acknowledgments

We thank S. Chhin, D.E. Rothstein, P. Nzokou, B. Graff and the MSU Agronomy farm for the use of equipment; M. Cook, C.A. Gehring, S.M. Neumann, and P. Nguygen for technical advice; C. Murillo for field help; G. Bayerl, T. Harris, and N. Vannest for laboratory assistance; and OTS and Las Cruces Biological Station staff for support. E.K. Holste was supported by National Science Foundation Graduate Research, Michigan State University Plant Sciences, and the Carol C. Gustafson and Gary S. Murphy Endowed Fellowships while contributing to this research. Funding was provided by the P.E.O. Scholar Award, Rasmussen Fellowship Award, and Organization of Tropical Studies Research Grant. The manuscript benefited from critiques by T.M.P. Robinson, C. Esch, D. Minor, K. Wood, L.O. Brudvig, C.A. Gerhring, G.P. Robertson, M.B. Walters, and two anonymous reviewers.

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  1. Department of Forestry, Michigan State University, Natural Resources Building, 480 Wilson Road, Room 126, East Lansing, MI, 48824, USA

    Ellen K. Holste & Richard K. Kobe

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  1. Ellen K. Holste
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Holste, E.K., Kobe, R.K. Tree species and soil nutrients drive tropical reforestation more than associations with mycorrhizal fungi. Plant Soil 410, 283–297 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11104-016-3013-z

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