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@article{Kowal:2015:10.1111/1365-2435.12580,
author = {Kowal, J and Pressel, S and Duckett, JG and Bidartondo, MI},
doi = {10.1111/1365-2435.12580},
journal = {Functional Ecology},
pages = {1014--1023},
title = {Liverworts to the rescue: an investigation of their efficacy as mycorrhizal inoculum for vascular plants},
url = {http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/1365-2435.12580},
volume = {30},
year = {2015}
}
TY - JOUR
AB - 1. Pezoloma ericae (D.J. Read) Baral, a widespread mycorrhizal fungus of plants in the Ericales,is known to form intracellular associations with several families of leafy liverworts(Schistochilaceae, Lepidoziaceae, Cephaloziaceae, Cephaloziellaceae) in vitro. The ecologicalsignificance of this link between vascular and non-vascular plants is unknown.2. Fungal symbionts were isolated from rhizoids of the leafy liverworts Cephalozia connivens(Dicks.) Lindb. and C. bicuspidata (L.) Dum. (Cephaloziaceae), as well as from the hair rootsof two dominant ericoid mycorrhiza-forming species of European heathlands, Erica tetralix(L.) and Calluna vulgaris (L.).3. Using pure cultures of P. ericae, we resynthesized liverwort–fungus associations to use colonizedliverworts as inoculum which was applied to substrates supporting the growth of heatherseedlings and cuttings. Effects were quantified using germination, rooting, plant colonization,plant survival under waterlogging stress and growth in height in experimental systems withand without liverworts and/or fungi.4. Fungal symbionts growing from liverwort rhizoids readily colonized the hair roots of ericaceousplants to form typical ericoid mycorrhizas.5. The presence of inoculum-bearing liverworts led to significant increases in plant growth.Erica tetralix was more responsive to inoculation than C. vulgaris.6. Ericaceous cuttings rooted and survived more successfully when they were coplanted withpreviously colonized liverwort stems.7. We demonstrate, under realistic ecological circumstances, that liverworts can deliver mycorrhizalinoculum and improve the establishment of vascular plants. We propose that by providingsources of mycorrhizal inoculum, symbiotic non-vascular plants can contribute to therestoration of plant communities dominated by Ericales plants. This research leads to broaderknowledge about the function of ericoid mycorrhizas in ecosystems.
AU - Kowal,J
AU - Pressel,S
AU - Duckett,JG
AU - Bidartondo,MI
DO - 10.1111/1365-2435.12580
EP - 1023
PY - 2015///
SN - 1365-2435
SP - 1014
TI - Liverworts to the rescue: an investigation of their efficacy as mycorrhizal inoculum for vascular plants
T2 - Functional Ecology
UR - http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/1365-2435.12580
VL - 30
ER -
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