Mycorrhizal fungi-mediated uptake of tree-derived nitrogen by maize in smallholder farms

Trees within farmers’ fields can enhance systems’ longer-term productivity, for example, via nutrient amelioration, which is indispensable to attain sustainable agroecosystems. While arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) are known improve plant access soil nutrients, the potential of AMF mediate uptake tree-derived nitrogen (N) by crops from beyond crops’ rooting zones unclear. We hypothesized that quantitatively contribute crop N. set up root- and AMF-exclusion control plots around faidherbia trees (Faidherbia albida) used 15N natural abundance technique determine magnitude AMF-mediated N maize its zone in smallholder fields. further tested whether decreases with distance tree. show one cropping season, obtained approximately 35 kg ha–1 biologically fixed faidherbia. One-third leaves was attributed two-thirds tree leaf litter, regardless As hypothesized, grown close (1 m) significantly more than at farther distances (4 5 m). Thus, faidherbia–AMF association agroecosystem functioning. Soil form beneficial associations roots. This study finds increase derived common African fields, sustainably enhancing these