The community of root fungi is associated with the growth rate of Norway spruce (Picea abies)

Our study delved into the relationship between root‐associated fungi, gene expression and plant morphology in Norway spruce cuttings derived from both slow‐and fast‐growing trees. We found no clear link between the gene expression patterns of adventitious roots and the growth phenotype, suggesting n...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Environmental microbiology 2024-06, Vol.26 (6), p.e16662-n/a
Main Authors: Hamberg, Leena, Vanhatalo, Jarno, Velmala, Sannakajsa, Taylor, Andy F. S., MacKay, John, Caron, Sébastien, Asiegbu, Fred O., Sievänen, Risto, Raumonen, Pasi, Hytönen, Tuija, Pennanen, Taina
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Branches
Ectomycorrhizas
Fungi
Gene expression
Growth rate
Phenotypes
Phenotypic variation
Phenotypic variations
Picea abies
Pine trees
Plant morphology
Roots
Stems
Symbionts
Trees
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Summary:Our study delved into the relationship between root‐associated fungi, gene expression and plant morphology in Norway spruce cuttings derived from both slow‐and fast‐growing trees. We found no clear link between the gene expression patterns of adventitious roots and the growth phenotype, suggesting no fundamental differences in the receptiveness to fungal symbionts between the phenotypes. Interestingly, saplings from slow‐growing parental trees exhibited a higher richness of ectomycorrhizal species and larger roots. Some ectomycorrhizal species, typically found on mature spruces, were more prevalent on saplings from slow‐growing spruces. The ericoid mycorrhizal fungus, Hyaloscypha hepaticola, showed a stronger association with saplings from fast‐growing spruces. Moreover, saplings from slow‐growing spruces had a greater number of Ascomycete taxa and free‐living saprotrophic fungi. Aboveground sapling stems displayed some phenotypic variation; saplings from fast‐growing phenotypes had longer branches but fewer whorls in their stems compared to those from the slow‐growing group. In conclusion, the observed root‐associated fungi and phenotypic characteristics in young Norway spruces may play a role in their long‐term growth rate. This suggests that the early interactions between spruces and fungi could potentially influence their growth trajectory. The long‐term growth rate of Norway spruces was found to be associated with root‐associated fungi. Fast‐growing spruces had shorter roots and hosted fewer resource‐demanding ectomycorrhizal fungi, saprotrophic fungal species, and taxa with no clear life strategy compared to slow‐growing spruces. However, they appeared to include beneficial root symbionts.
ISSN:1462-2912
1462-2920
DOI:10.1111/1462-2920.16662