Experimental assessment of forest floor geophyte and hemicryptophyte impact on arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi communities

Abstract Purpose Herbaceous plants are important components of temperate forest structure and its functioning, however, their impacts on arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) remain largely unexplored. We studied the influence herbaceous plant species AMF abundance, morphospecies richness, community composition in soil. Methods tested identity an outdoor mesocosm experiment, using two soils, differing physicochemical properties, planted with four contrasting traits related to morphology, phenology, reproduction, ecology; hemicryptophyte, summer-green Aegopodium podagraria , spring ephemeral geophytes comprising Allium ursinum Anemone nemorosa Ficaria verna . The were grown both soils monocultures, a combination A. mixture all species. Results promoted abundance diversity most. Higher root colonization and/or soil concentrations structural storage markers 16:1ω5 PLFA NLFA, as well higher spore numbers found monocultures mixture. short period photosynthetic activity due rapid leaf decay does not negatively affect symbiosis AMF. Although F. mycorrhizal, effect was weak. Conclusions impact may be differences coverage character interactions can form niches diversity.