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Arbuscular common mycorrhizal networks mediate intra- and interspecific interactions of two prairie grasses

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Abstract

Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi form extensive common mycorrhizal networks (CMNs) that may interconnect neighboring root systems of the same or different plant species, thereby potentially influencing the distribution of limiting mineral nutrients among plants. We examined how CMNs affected intra- and interspecific interactions within and between populations of Andropogon gerardii, a highly mycorrhiza dependent, dominant prairie grass and Elymus canadensis, a moderately dependent, subordinate prairie species. We grew A. gerardii and E. canadensis alone and intermixed in microcosms, with individual root systems isolated, but either interconnected by CMNs or with CMNs severed weekly. CMNs, which provided access to a large soil volume, improved survival of both A. gerardii and E. canadensis, but intensified intraspecific competition for A. gerardii. When mixed with E. canadensis, A. gerardii overyielded aboveground biomass in the presence of intact CMNs but not when CMNs were severed, suggesting that A. gerardii with intact CMNs most benefitted from weaker interspecific than intraspecific interactions across CMNs. CMNs improved manganese uptake by both species, with the largest plants receiving the most manganese. Enhanced growth in consequence of improved mineral nutrition led to large E. canadensis in intact CMNs experiencing water-stress, as indicated by 13C isotope abundance. Our findings suggest that in prairie plant communities, CMNs may influence mineral nutrient distribution, water relations, within-species size hierarchies, and between-species interactions.

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Acknowledgements

We thank Ms. Alison R. Lincoln and Richmond Heights Middle School for allowing us to conduct this experiment with the enthusiastic assistance of AgriScience Magnet students, and for providing glasshouse space. We thank Jennifer Velasquez for assistance in maintaining and harvesting the experiment, Michael Amaranthus (Mycorrhizal Applications) for providing mycorrhizal inoculum, and two anonymous reviewers for their helpful suggestions.

Funding

This study was funded by a National Science Foundation Doctoral Dissertation Improvement Grant (DEB-1401677).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Biology, University of Miami, P.O. Box 249118, Coral Gables, FL, 33124-0421, USA

    Joanna Weremijewicz, Leonel da Silveira Lobo O’Reilly Sternberg & David P. Janos

  2. Department of Biology, North Central College, 30 North Brainard St., Naperville, IL, 60540, USA

    Joanna Weremijewicz

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  1. Joanna Weremijewicz
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  2. Leonel da Silveira Lobo O’Reilly Sternberg
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  3. David P. Janos
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Correspondence to Joanna Weremijewicz.

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All data are presented in the manuscript as tables and figures. Data are available from Open Science Framework DOI 10.17605/OSF.IO/FAPJN.

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Weremijewicz, J., da Silveira Lobo O’Reilly Sternberg, L. & Janos, D.P. Arbuscular common mycorrhizal networks mediate intra- and interspecific interactions of two prairie grasses. Mycorrhiza 28, 71–83 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00572-017-0801-0

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