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The role of ectomycorrhizal fungi in alleviating pine decline in semiarid sandy soil of northern China: an experimental approach

Le rôle des champignons ectomycorrhiziens dans la réduction du dépérissement du pin sur sols sableux semi-arides du nord de la Chine: une approche expérimentale

Annals of Forest Science volume 65, page 304 (2008)Cite this article

Abstract

The decline of Mongolian pine (Pinus sylvestris var. mongolica) trees on sandy land in northern China has caused serious ecological concerns. Mongolian pine is an ectomycorrhizal fungus (ECM)-dependent species. Three ECM species (Boletus sp., Lactarius deliciosus and L.sp.) were collected from Mongolian pine plantation stands to test their beneficial effects on Mongolian pine seedlings and their responses to environmental factors such as pH, drought stress and temperature. The results indicated that ECM inoculation significantly increased the rate of ECM colonization and the length of seedling shoots. The three ECM could grow in a pH range from 4 to 7, but did not grow under heavy drought stress (−1.53 MPa). High temperatures (over 37 °C) caused death of ECM. When related to soil pH, soil water content and temperature in the Mongolian pine plantations, water conditions and temperature were unfavorable for ECM growth in surface soil, but suitable in deeper soil. Therefore, it was concluded that the failure of natural regeneration in Mongolian pine plantations might be influenced by the lack of ECM in the surface soil because of high temperatures causing ECM death. Moreover, the majority of the root area is distributed in deeper soil, which alleviates the stresses on ECM development and arrests pine decline; this is beneficial for tree growth.

Résumé

Le dépérissement du Pin de Mongolie (Pinus sylvestris var. mongolica) sur les terres sableuses du nord de la Chine a causé de graves inquiétudes écologiques. Le Pin de Mongolie est une espèce dépendante de champignons ectomycorrhiziens (ECM). Trois espèces de champignons ectomycorrhiziens ont été récoltés (Boletus sp., Lactaria delicious et L. sp.) dans des plantations de Pin de Mongolie pour tester leur effet bénéfique sur des semis de Pin de Mongolie et leur réponse aux facteurs environnementaux tels que pH, stress hydrique et température. Les résultats indiquent que l’inoculation d’ ECM accroît significativement le taux de colonisation d’ ECM et la longueur des pousses des semis. Les trois ECM peuvent croître avec une gamme de pH allant de 4 à 7, mais ne peuvent pas se développer sous un stress hydrique important (−1,53 MPa). Des températures élevées (au dessus de 37 °C) causent la mort de ECM. Relativement au pH du sol, la teneur en eau du sol et la température dans les plantations de Pin de Mongolie, les conditions hydriques et la température étaient défavorables pour la croissance d’ ECM à la surface du sol, mais étaient appropriées dans un sol plus profond. Par conséquent, il a été conclu que l’échec de la régénération naturelle dans les plantations de Pin de Mongolie aurait pu être influencé par un manque d’ ECM en surface du sol car les températures élevées causent la mort des ECM. En outre, la majorité de la surface racinaire est répartie dans la profondeur du sol, ce qui réduit les contraintes au développement des ECM et arrête le dépérissement des pins, et est favorable à la croissance de l’arbre.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Institute of Applied Ecology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 110016, Shenyang, China

    Jiao-jun Zhu, Feng-qin Li, Mei-ling Xu & Hong-zhang Kang

  2. Linyi Entry-Exit Inspection & Quarantine, 276000, Bureau, Linyi, China

    Mei-ling Xu

  3. Graduate School of Chinese Academy of Sciences, 100039, Beijing, China

    Hong-zhang Kang

  4. University of Engineering & Technology, 123000, Liaoning Province, Fuxin, China

    Xiang-yun Wu

  5. College of Agriculture & Biology, Shanghai Jiaotong University, 200240, Shanghai, China

    Hong-zhang Kang

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Correspondence to Jiao-jun Zhu.

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Zhu, Jj., Li, Fq., Xu, Ml. et al. The role of ectomycorrhizal fungi in alleviating pine decline in semiarid sandy soil of northern China: an experimental approach. Ann. For. Sci. 65, 304 (2008). https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.1051/forest:2008007

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Annals of Forest Science

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