Mycorrhizal diversity of urban roadside trees and planting pits
Abstract
Urban trees’ vitality and viability in Vienna, and cities world-wide, is reduced due to severe stresses; trees need to be replaced frequently, causing a reduction in esthetical and ecological values and substantial costs. Major cause impairing tree growth in urban environments is the excess concentrations of salt in the rooting zone. So far no cost-efficient and sustainable solution has been found to reduce or avoid the induced salt-stress on urban trees. Most tree species develop symbioses with mycorrhizal fungi, leading to an enhanced tolerance to abiotic and biotic stresses. However, the mycorrhizal diversity and the frequency of symbioses are thought to be reduced in urban soils. Unfortunately, studies on mycorrhizal diversity in urban environments are scarce. In this study we will examine the mycorrhizal diversity in urban environments, studying the two frequent, salt-sensitive species Acer platanoides L. and Tilia cordata. Both species can form symbioses with both endomycorrhiza (AM) and ectomycorrhiza (EM) fungi. Tree individuals in forest stand close to the city will serve as control. Mycorrhiza diversity on roots and in soil (AM spores), and mycelia production will be assessed and related to soil and environmental parameters such as soil compaction, nutrient and water availability, salt and heavy metal accumulation during bud break. The study thus aims to evaluate if urban soils and thus tree root have a low diversity and frequency of mycorrhizal symbionts. This information will provide a cornerstone for further studies, testing if increased infection rates with beneficial mycorrhizal species will increase nutrient supply, osmotic adjustment and growth of stressed urban trees, and if additional inoculation with both AM and EM spores could increase the vitality of urban trees
Publikationen
Effect of stress on root morphology, mycorrhiza colonization rate and diversity in Acer platanoides and Tilia cordata street trees
Autoren: Goff, D; Mayr, V; Sandén, H; Rewald, B Jahr: 2017
Conference & Workshop proceedings, paper, abstract
Project staff
Hans Sanden
Priv.-Doz. Dr. Hans Sanden
hans.sanden@boku.ac.at
Tel: +43 1 47654-91240
Project Leader
01.01.2017 - 31.12.2017
Boris Rewald
Assoc. Prof. Dipl.-Biol. Dr.rer.nat. Boris Rewald
boris.rewald@boku.ac.at
Project Staff
01.01.2017 - 31.12.2017