00671nas a2200205 4500008004100000245012800041210006900169300001400238490000800252100001800260700001800278700001700296700001700313700001900330700001300349700001500362700001300377700001900390856005600409 2019 eng d00aFollowing legume establishment, microbial and chemical associations facilitate improved productivity in degraded grasslands0 aFollowing legume establishment microbial and chemical associatio a273 - 2920 v4431 aZhou, Jiqiong1 aZhang, Fengge1 aHuo, Yunqian1 aWilson, G.T.1 aCobb, Adam, B.1 aXu, Xixi1 aXiong, Xue1 aLiu, Lin1 aZhang, Yingjun uhttp://link.springer.com/10.1007/s11104-019-04169-902177nas a2200241 4500008004100000245014500041210006900186300001200255490000800267520142800275100001701703700001601720700001301736700001901749700001901768700001701787700001401804700001301818700001401831700001801845700001701863856005501880 2018 eng d00aPlant functional group influences arbuscular mycorrhizal fungal abundance and hyphal contribution to soil CO2 efflux in temperate grasslands0 aPlant functional group influences arbuscular mycorrhizal fungal  a157-1700 v4323 a

Background and aims: Arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi are abundant in grassland ecosystem. We assessed AM hyphal contributions to soil CO2 efflux across plant functional groups to better quantify AM fungal influences on soil carbon dynamics.


Methods: We conducted a field experiment using in-growth mesocosms to partition soil CO2 efflux from roots, AM hyphae, and free-living soil microbes associated with C3 grasses, C4 grasses, forbs, and diverse plant communities from May to August in 2017.


Results: AM hyphae contributed <10% to total soil respiration in forb communities and diverse plant communities but accounted for as much as 32% in C3 grasses. Plant functional groups differed in hyphal production efficiencies (the ratio of AM hyphal length to aboveground biomass), with the lowest in C3 grasses (0.47?±?0.15 m g-1) and the greatest in forbs (3.27?±?0.55 m g-1). Mowing reduced hyphal production efficiency of C4 grasses and forbs but did not affect total soil respiration. AM hyphal and microbial respiration peaked at the middle of the growing season, however there was no significant seasonal variation in root respiration.


Conclusion: AM hyphal respiration is an important pathway of carbon flux from plants to atmosphere. Shifts in plant community composition can influence soil carbon processes by regulating hyphal production and respiration.

1 aGui, Weiyang1 aRen, Haiyan1 aLiu, Nan1 aZhang, Yingjun1 aCobb, Adam, B.1 aWilson, G.T.1 aSun, Xiao1 aHu, Jian1 aXiao, Yan1 aZhang, Fengge1 aYang, Gaowen uhttp://link.springer.com/10.1007/s11104-018-3789-002922nas a2200205 4500008004100000245012500041210006900166300000800235490000600243520225200249100001802501700001702519700001902536700001702555700001802572700001702590700001702607700001902624856007302643 2018 eng d00aTrichoderma biofertilizer links to altered soil chemistry, altered microbial communities, and improved grassland biomass0 aTrichoderma biofertilizer links to altered soil chemistry altere a8480 v93 a

In grasslands, forage and livestock production results in soil nutrient deficits as grasslands typically receive no nutrient inputs, leading to a loss of grassland biomass. The application of mature compost has been shown to effectively increase grassland nutrient availability. However, research on fertilization regime influence and potential microbial ecological regulation mechanisms are rarely conducted in grassland soil. We conducted a two-year experiment in meadow steppe grasslands, focusing on above- and belowground consequences of organic or Trichoderma biofertilizer applications and potential soil microbial ecological mechanisms underlying soil chemistry and microbial community responses. Grassland biomass significantly (p = 0.019) increased following amendment with 9,000 kg ha−1 of Trichoderma biofertilizer (composted cattle manure + inoculum) compared with other assessed organic or biofertilizer rates, except for BOF3000 (fertilized with 3,000 kg ha−1 biofertilizer). This rate of Trichoderma biofertilizer treatment increased soil antifungal compounds that may suppress pathogenic fungi, potentially partially responsible for improved grassland biomass. Nonmetric multidimensional scaling (NMDS) revealed soil chemistry and fungal communities were all separated by different fertilization regime. Trichoderma biofertilizer (9,000 kg ha−1) increased relative abundances of Archaeorhizomyces and Trichoderma while decreasing Ophiosphaerella. Trichoderma can improve grassland biomass, while Ophiosphaerella has the opposite effect as it may secrete metabolites causing grass necrosis. Correlations between soil properties and microbial genera showed plant-available phosphorus may influence grassland biomass by increasing Archaeorhizomyces and Trichoderma while reducing Ophiosphaerella. According to our structural equation modeling (SEM), Trichoderma abundance was the primary contributor to aboveground grassland biomass. Our results suggest Trichoderma biofertilizer could be an important tool for management of soils and ultimately grassland plant biomass.

1 aZhang, Fengge1 aHuo, Yunqian1 aCobb, Adam, B.1 aLuo, Gongwen1 aZhou, Jiqiong1 aYang, Gaowen1 aWilson, G.T.1 aZhang, Yingjun uhttp://journal.frontiersin.org/article/10.3389/fmicb.2018.00848/full