The communities of ectomycorrhizal fungal species associated with Betula pendula Roth and Pinus sylvestris L. growing in heavy-metal contaminated soils

Authors:

• Wojciech Bierza,
• Karolina Bierza,
• Artur Trzebny,
• Izabela Greń,
• Mirosława Dabert,
• Ryszard Ciepał,
• Lidia Katarzyna Trocha

Abstract

AbstractAimsPioneer tree species such asBetula pendulaandPinus sylvestrisencroach soils contaminated with heavy metals (HMs). This is facilitated by ectomycorrhizal fungi colonizing tree roots. Thus, we evaluated the ectomycorrhizal fungal (EMF) communities ofB. pendulaandP. sylvestrisgrowing in HM-contaminated soils compared to non-contaminated soils. We also studied the effect of HMs and soil properties on EMF communities and soil fungal biomass.MethodsRoots ofB. pendulaandP. sylvestriswere collected from three HM-contaminated sites and from two non-contaminated sites located in Poland. EMF species were identified using DNA barcoding. Soil fungal biomass was determined by soil ergosterol.ResultsB. pendulaandP. sylvestrisgrowing in HM-contaminated soils had similar EMF communities, whereScleroderma,RhizopogonandRussulaas well as ectomycorrhizae of the long-distance exploration type dominated. Among all of the examined soil factors studied, toxicity index (TITotal) was the most significant factor shaping the composition of EMF communities. Despite significant differences in the structure of the EMF communities of trees growing in HM-contaminated sites compared to control sites, no differences in overall diversity were observed.ConclusionsOnly well-adapted EMF species can survive toxic conditions and form ectomycorrhizal symbiosis with encroaching trees facilitating the forest succession on contaminated soils.