Abstract

URCELAY, Carlos  and  BATTISTELLA, Romina. Mycorrhizal colonization among different herbaceous plant functional types from central Argentina. Ecol. austral [online]. 2007, vol.17, n.2, pp.179-188. ISSN 1667-782X.

Numerous studies have been held in central Argentina on the relation between plant functional types (PFTs) and vegetative attributes, grazing and ecosystem functioning. In contrast, and despite its relevance to plant community structure, there is no information regarding the relationship between these PFTs and arbuscular mycorrhizal colonization. In the present study we aimed to assess if there were differences in arbuscular mycorrhizal colonization among species grouped in different PFTs based on their vegetative attributes. Specifically, we evaluated total mycorrhizal colonization, colonization by vesicles, and colonization by arbuscules in 18 species belonging to three herbaceous PFTs from mountain shrubland in central Argentina. We investigated whether there were differences in mycorrhizal colonization among annual dicots, perennial dicots and graminoids, and between C₃ and C₄ within the latter. We found differences among PFTs in terms of total mycorrhizal colonization and colonization by arbuscules, but not in colonization by vesicles. In particular, dicots -annuals and perennials- did not differ between them but showed significantly higher values arbuscular and total colonization than graminoids. There were no differences between C₃ and C₄. Overall, our results suggest that the combination of vegetative attributes, probably root architecture and carbon allocation patterns, influence the patterns of arbuscular mycorrhizal colonization in the main herbaceous species of the mountain shrubland of central Argentina.

Keywords : Graminoids; Annual dicots; Perennial dicots; Arbuscular mycorrhizas.

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