Fungal Interactions with Host Trees and Forest Sustainability

A special issue of Forests (ISSN 1999-4907). This special issue belongs to the section "Forest Ecophysiology and Biology".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (31 March 2024) | Viewed by 3486

Special Issue Editors

Kunming Institute of Botany Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming, China
Interests: edible mushroom; ectomycorrhiza; mycobiome; fungi-plant interaction

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Guest Editor
Department of Soil Science Microbiology, Colegio de Postgraduados, Texcoco, Mexico
Interests: fungal taxonomy; edible mushroom; ectomycorrhiza; ethnomycology

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Guest Editor
College of Forestry, Guizhou University, Guiyang, China
Interests: tree physiology; organic carbon; microbiome; rocky desertification

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Plant–fungal interactions are evidenced to have paramount importance regulating ecosystem stability and services. Forest sustainability has been shown to be influenced strongly by fungal interactions with their host trees either beneficial or pathogenic. Additionally, ancient cultures have shown to contribute to sustainable forest management through the conservation of mycological resources. How do environmental factors affect plant–fungal interactions? What fungal factors contribute to the establishment and maintenance of interactions with their host trees? How does the understanding of the symbiosis mechanisms and genes or pathways involved in the colonization processes during plant growth contribute to forest sustainability? How does ethnomycological knowledge relate to sustainable forest management? Understanding the interactions between plants with soil fungal communities involved in nutrient mobilization and cycling and their underlying mechanisms. Preventing the loss of ancestral knowledge of mycological knowledge around the world. Any contribution dealing with tree-fungi interactions which provide original insights to the scientific community, ranging from ecosystem to lab research. Papers covering the taxonomy, phylogeny, ecology, physiology, ethnomycology of fungi are also welcome.

Dr. Fuqiang Yu
Prof. Dr. Jesús Pérez-Moreno
Prof. Dr. Yunchao Zhou
Guest Editors

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Keywords

  • plant–fungal interactions
  • fungal ecology and taxonomy
  • mycorrhizal fungi
  • ethnomycology
  • common mycorrizal networks
  • nutrient cycling
  • biofertilizers
  • mushroom cultivation
  • afforestation
  • sustainable forestry

Published Papers (4 papers)

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Research

12 pages, 3437 KiB  
Article
Mycorrhizal Associations between Helvella bachu and Its Host Plants
by Caihong Wei, Mengqian Liu, Jianwei Hu, Lili Zhang and Caihong Dong
Forests 2024, 15(4), 721; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/f15040721 - 19 Apr 2024
Viewed by 458
Abstract
Helvella bachu, a prized edible and medicinal fungus, is primarily found in the forests of Populus euphratica, an ancient and endangered species crucial to desert riparian ecosystems. Despite extensive efforts, the isolation of pure cultures and cultivation of fruiting bodies of [...] Read more.
Helvella bachu, a prized edible and medicinal fungus, is primarily found in the forests of Populus euphratica, an ancient and endangered species crucial to desert riparian ecosystems. Despite extensive efforts, the isolation of pure cultures and cultivation of fruiting bodies of H. bachu have remained elusive. While some species within the Helvella genus have been confirmed as ectomycorrhizal fungi, others have been considered either saprotrophic or mycorrhizal. By integrating field observations of H. bachu habitat, macro- and micro-anatomical examination of plant root tips, and molecular data from fruiting bodies, mycorrhizae, and host plants, it has been confirmed that H. bachu forms ectomycorrhizal associations with Populus trees. The mycorrhiza of H. bachu displays a light earth color with a curved smooth cylindrical shape. It features a thick mantle and the presence of a Hartig net, accompanied by a small amount of epitaxy mycelia. Morphological observation of the root tips requires meticulous handling, and the paraffin section technique has yielded noteworthy results. Host plants encompass four Populus species, including P. euphratica, P. pruinosa, P. nigra, and P. alba var. pyramidalis (synonym Populus bolleana). A conservation area was established within the young P. euphratica forest at Tarim University, resulting in a 14.75% increase in the quantity of fruiting bodies during the second year. Establishing a conservation area and in situ propagation of H. bachu holds economic and ecological implications. This study will contribute to the conservation of resources related to H. bachu and P. euphratica. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Fungal Interactions with Host Trees and Forest Sustainability)
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18 pages, 18681 KiB  
Article
Establishment of Pinus massonianaLactarius hatsudake Symbiosis
by Zhineng Wei, Lin Liu, Yidan Lei, Sisi Xie, Jiangming Ma, Yibo Tan, Nianwu Tang, Zhangqi Yang and Chenbing Ai
Forests 2024, 15(4), 578; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/f15040578 - 22 Mar 2024
Viewed by 739
Abstract
Lactarius hatsudake is a common ectomycorrhizal edible mushroom in Pinus massoniana forests, and has important ecological and potential economic values. However, there are only a few reports on the establishment of Pinus massonianaLactarius hatsudake symbiosis. Here, we isolated a new strain [...] Read more.
Lactarius hatsudake is a common ectomycorrhizal edible mushroom in Pinus massoniana forests, and has important ecological and potential economic values. However, there are only a few reports on the establishment of Pinus massonianaLactarius hatsudake symbiosis. Here, we isolated a new strain of L. Lactarius hatsudake (GX01) from a local masson pine forest and established its ectomycorrhizal symbiosis with the P. massoniana. Potato dextrose agar (PDA) medium was optimal for the growth of L. hatsudake GX01. The saffron-to-brown ectomycorrhiza formed by L. hatsudake GX01 are usually bifurcated or coralloid shape, with a rod and a smooth surface, without emanating hyphae. The characteristic mantle and Hartig net structures of ectomycorrhizae were confirmed by microscope and scanning electron microscope (SEM). L. hatsudake GX01 can significantly promote the formation and development of lateral roots of P. massoniana seedlings during the early interaction. This study thus lays the foundation for subsequent study of the symbiotic molecular mechanism and application of P. massonianaL. hatsudake symbiosis. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Fungal Interactions with Host Trees and Forest Sustainability)
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13 pages, 2994 KiB  
Article
Effect of the Moso Bamboo Pyllostachys edulis (Carrière) J.Houz. on Soil Phosphorus Bioavailability in a Broadleaf Forest (Jiangxi Province, China)
by Dou Yang, Fuxi Shi, Xiangmin Fang, Ruoling Zhang, Jianmin Shi and Yang Zhang
Forests 2024, 15(2), 328; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/f15020328 - 8 Feb 2024
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Abstract
Moso bamboo (Phyllostachys edulis (Carrière) J.Houz.) is a fast-growing species that commonly invades neighboring broadleaf forests and has been widely reported in subtropical forest ecosystems. However, little is known about the effect on soil phosphorus (P) bioavailability and its potential influence factor [...] Read more.
Moso bamboo (Phyllostachys edulis (Carrière) J.Houz.) is a fast-growing species that commonly invades neighboring broadleaf forests and has been widely reported in subtropical forest ecosystems. However, little is known about the effect on soil phosphorus (P) bioavailability and its potential influence factor during the P. edulis expansion. Here, the four soil P bioavailable fractions (i.e., CaCl2-P, Citrate-P, Enzyme-P, and HCl-P), acid phosphatase activity, iron and aluminum oxides (Fed and Ald), and soil total P pool at depths of 0–10 cm, 10–20 cm, and 20–40 cm were measured in three expanding interfaces (a broadleaf forest, a mixed bamboo–broadleaf forest, and a pure P. edulis forest) in subtropical forests of southern China. Regardless of soil depths, the CaCl2-P content was significantly lower in the mixed bamboo–broadleaf forest than the other two forest types, with contents ranging from 0.09 to 0.16 mg/kg, whereas the HCl-P content was significantly lower in the broadleaf forest, with contents ranging from 3.42 to 14.33 mg/kg, and the Enzyme-P content and acid phosphatase activity were notably lower in P. edulis forest with contents of 0.17–0.52 mg/kg and 68.66–74.80 μmol MUF released g−1 min−1, respectively. Moreover, the soil total P pool was enhanced in the mixed bamboo–broadleaf forest in 0–10 cm depth compared to broadleaf and P. edulis forests, with increases of 27.40% and 31.02%, respectively. The redundancy analysis showed that soil pH plays an important role in regulating soil P bioavailability during the P. edulis expansion (p < 0.01). From the above results, the invasion of P. edulis into broadleaf forests has resulted in soil P bioavailability and storage capacity. The results of this study suggest that when P. edulis invades broadleaf forests, it could affect the soil P bioavailability by elevating soil pH, which in turn drives and facilitates the completion of the expansion. This is important for understanding P cycling during the P. edulis forest expansion in subtropical regions. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Fungal Interactions with Host Trees and Forest Sustainability)
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12 pages, 2518 KiB  
Article
Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi Adjusts Root Architecture to Promote Leaf Nitrogen Accumulation and Reduce Leaf Carbon–Nitrogen Ratio of Mulberry Seedlings
by Huirong Zhang, Hongguang Cheng, Gratien Twagirayezu, Fang Zhang, Yanjin Shi, Chaobin Luo, Fan Yan, Zhenhong Wang and Dan Xing
Forests 2023, 14(12), 2448; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/f14122448 - 15 Dec 2023
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1027
Abstract
In the initial stages of restoring rocky desertification, the proliferation of nutrients strongly influences plant survival. The carbon–nitrogen doctrine in plants argues that a lower leaf carbon–nitrogen (C:N) ratio enhances the growth of plant nutrients. However, the mechanisms by which inoculation with arbuscular [...] Read more.
In the initial stages of restoring rocky desertification, the proliferation of nutrients strongly influences plant survival. The carbon–nitrogen doctrine in plants argues that a lower leaf carbon–nitrogen (C:N) ratio enhances the growth of plant nutrients. However, the mechanisms by which inoculation with arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) can influence plants during the restoration of rocky desertification are not thoroughly understood. This study used mulberry as a suitable example of a mycorrhizal plant in desertification areas to examine changes in growth, leaf carbon, nitrogen accumulation, and the carbon–nitrogen ratio post inoculation using AMF. The correlation between leaf carbon–nitrogen ratio and root morphology following AMF inoculation was also examined. The results demonstrated that inoculating mulberry with the dominant strains Funneliformis mosseae (Fm) and Rhizophagus intraradices (Ri) not only enhanced above-ground growth and improved carbon and nitrogen nutrient absorption but also had a more pronounced effect on leaf nitrogen accumulation than on carbon accumulation, resulting in a potential decrease in the leaf C:N ratio by 42.13%. It also significantly improved root morphology by exponentially increasing the number of connections and crossings by 120.5% and 109.8%, respectively. Further analysis revealed a negative correlation between leaf C:N ratio and root morphology, as well as between root length and the number of connections. Plants with more developed root systems exhibited greater competitiveness for nitrogen, resulting in a lower leaf C:N ratio. This study suggests that the inoculation of AMF could enhance leaf nitrogen accumulation and reduce the leaf C:N ratio by expanding the spatial absorption range of the root through positive changes in root morphology, thereby promoting plant nutrient growth. This study forms a fundamental scientific basis for the successful management of desertification. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Fungal Interactions with Host Trees and Forest Sustainability)
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