Different response of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungal communities in soil and Elymus nutans roots to long-term warming in alpine meadow

Abstract

Abstract Background and aims Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) are symbiotic with most terrestrial plants and are important microorganisms that sustain the activity of alpine meadow ecosystems, while warming affects plant and microbial activity and soil nutrient cycling. However, the response of AMF to long-term warming is still poorly understood, especially in alpine meadows. Methods We conducted a 7-year field warming experiment to examine the effects of warming (+ 2°C) on the composition of AMF communities in soil and plant roots. Results The results showed that warming significantly affected AMF communities, increasing the α-diversity of soil AMF communities and the relative abundance of Glomeraceae and decreasing the relative abundance of Paralomeraceae, while the relative abundance and diversity of AMF communities within plant roots decreased. Warming increased soil organic carbon and effective phosphorus content and promoted mycorrhizal colonization. In addition, soil AMF communities were strongly influenced by SOC, and intraradical AMF communities were correlated with NH4+-N. Conclusions In conclusion, our results suggest that warming mainly changed the composition of soil AMF communities in alpine meadows and enhanced plant-AMF interactions.