We found a match
Your institution may have access to this item. Find your institution then sign in to continue.
- Title
Ectomycorrhizal weathering of the soil minerals muscovite and hornblende.
- Authors
van Schöll, Laura; Smits, Mark M; Hoffland, Ellis
- Abstract
Ectomycorrhizal fungi are hypothesized to enhance mineral weathering in forest soils. Several studies have shown an increased uptake of mineral-derived nutrients by trees when in symbiosis with ectomycorrhizal fungi. However, it is difficult to determine from these studies if the improved nutrient uptake is the result of increased weathering or better exploitation of the substrate by the ectomycorrhizal fungi. In a pot experiment, Pinus sylvestris (Scots pine) seedlings were grown with or without ectomycorrhizal fungi, and with or without the mineral muscovite as the only potassium (K) source or the mineral hornblende as the only magnesium (Mg) source. After 27 wk, all pools of non-mineral-bound K or Mg were determined. The ectomycorrhizal fungus Paxillus involutus increased weathering of muscovite but not hornblende. The other ectomycorrhizal fungi tested, Piloderma croceum and Suillus bovinus, did not increase weathering of either muscovite or hornblende compared with the nonmycorrhizal trees. The P. involutus-mediated mobilization of K from muscovite resulted in increased K content of root plus adhering hyphae, but not of shoots. In conclusion, ectomycorrhizal fungi may increase weathering of minerals in response to nutrient deficiencies, but this response is species specific.
- Publication
The New phytologist, 2006, Vol 171, Issue 4, p805
- ISSN
0028-646X
- Publication type
Journal Article
- DOI
10.1111/j.1469-8137.2006.01790.x