Genotype diversity enhances invasion resistance of native plants via soil biotic feedbacks

Abstract

AbstractAlthough native species diversity is frequently reported to enhance invasion resistance, within‐species diversity of native plants can also moderate invasions. While the positive diversity–invasion resistance relationship is often attributed to competition, indirect effects mediated through plant–soil feedbacks can also influence the relationship. We manipulated the genotypic diversity of an endemic species, Scirpus mariqueter, and evaluated the effects of abiotic versus biotic feedbacks on the performance of a global invader, Spartina alterniflora. We found that invader performance on live soils decreased non‐additively with genotypic diversity of the native plant that trained the soils, but this reversed when soils were sterilized to eliminate feedbacks through soil biota. The influence of soil biota on the feedback was primarily associated with increased levels of microbial biomass and fungal diversity in soils trained by multiple‐genotype populations. Our findings highlight the importance of plant–soil feedbacks mediating the positive relationship between genotypic diversity and invasion resistance.