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Differences in growth and nutrient uptake from a coarse-soil substrate by ectomycorrhizal- and fungicide-treated Picea abies seedlings

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Abstract

In order to quantify the importance of ectomycorrhizal fungi on nutrient uptake from the coarse-soil fraction of a haplic Cambisol (alumic), a microcosm study that allowed for nutrient budgets was designed. Ectomycorrhizal- and fungicide-treated spruce seedlings were grown on isolated and cleaned gneiss fragments (6.3 mm > Ø > 2 mm) from 90 cm soil depth. The substrate was the only source of Ca, K and Mg. Ectomycorrhizal seedlings showed no signs of nutrient deficiencies and biomass increased significantly compared to initial seedling biomass. Ectomycorrhizal seedlings seemed well adapted to survive on the coarse-soil substrate and acquired Ca, K and Mg from the coarse-soil substrate. Gneiss fragments of the ectomycorrhizal treatment were covered by fine roots and ectomycorrhizal hyphae, as observed microscopically. Fungicide-treated seedlings’ root development was retarded, and shoot biomass only increased from stored nutrient reserves of the seedlings. The suppression of EcM colonization by the fungicide Topas® apparently caused a root growth inhibiting effect. Furthermore, the extinction of mycorrhiza initiated an increased nitrification and acidification and a consequent nutrient cation release triggered by nitrate in the drainage.

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Acknowledgments

We thank the German Research Foundation (Deutsch Forschungsgemeinschaft) for funding this project, P. Wiedemer and B. Pöschl for laboratory analyses and tending the experiment, and Dr. M. Al abed Al kader from the Institute of Forest Botany—Universität Freiburg for providing the binocular microscope with camera.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Institute of Soil Science and Forest Nutrition, Albert-Ludwigs University Freiburg, Bertoldstrasse 17, 79085, Freiburg, Germany

    Nina Koele & Ernst E. Hildebrand

  2. Landcare Research, Ecosystem Processes, Box 40, Lincoln, 7640, New Zealand

    Nina Koele

Authors
  1. Nina Koele
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  2. Ernst E. Hildebrand
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Correspondence to Nina Koele.

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Communicated by K. Puettmann.

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Koele, N., Hildebrand, E.E. Differences in growth and nutrient uptake from a coarse-soil substrate by ectomycorrhizal- and fungicide-treated Picea abies seedlings. Eur J Forest Res 130, 317–324 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10342-010-0435-7

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10342-010-0435-7

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