Wood ash application in a managed Norway spruce plantation did not affect ectomycorrhizal diversity or N retention capacity

Carla Cruz-Paredes*, Tobias Guldberg Frøslev, Anders Michelsen, Toke Bang-Andreasen, Mette Hansen, Morten Ingerslev, Simon Skov, Håkan Wallander, Rasmus Kjøller

*Corresponding author

Publikation: Bidrag til tidsskriftTidsskriftartikelForskningpeer review

Abstract

Ectomycorrhizal (ECM) fungi are key players in N cycling in coniferous forests, and forest management such as application of wood ash can affect their functionality. The aim of this study was to determine the effects of wood ash application on ECM fungal mycelial production, capacity to retain N, diversity and community composition. In-growth mesh bags were installed in control and treated plots. After 6 months, 15N labeled ammonium and nitrate were applied into the mesh bags, and 24 h later extramatrical mycelium (EMM) was extracted and analyzed. Wood ash had no effects on EMM in-growth, N retention capacity, diversity or community composition. In contrast, there were significant seasonal differences in the amount of EMM produced. These results demonstrate that applying up to 6 t ha−1 of wood ash in this type of plantation forest is a safe management practice that does not increase N leaching or negatively affect ECM fungi.
OriginalsprogEngelsk
TidsskriftFungal Ecology
Vol/bind39
Sider (fra-til)1-11
Antal sider11
ISSN1754-5048
DOI
StatusUdgivet - jun. 2019
Udgivet eksterntJa

Bibliografisk note

Funding Information:
This work was supported by the “ Center for Bioenergy Recycling- ASHBACK ” project ( www.ashback.dk ), funded by the Danish Council for Strategic Research (grant no 0603-00587B ). We would also like to thank Alberto Maresca for his work on the wood ash composition analysis, and all in the ASHBACK team for establishing and maintaining the plots. Also, the forest owners, Steen Blicher A/S, for allowing us to establish the plots. Finally, we wish to thank Gosha Sylvester, Waleed Abu Al-Soud and Luma George Odish for their help with the laboratory work.

Emneord

  • Community composition
  • Ectomycorrhizal fungi
  • Extramatrical mycelium
  • Nitrogen leaching
  • Nitrogen retention
  • Wood ash

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