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Deposition of nitrogen in ectomycorrhizae of Norway spruce (Picea abies (L.) Karst.) on NH4 +- fertilized sites in the Black Forest, Germany

TALK Session 3 "Mycorrhizae in Stressed Ecosystems"
BECKMANN, SUSANNE & INGRID KOTTKE
Eberhard-Karls-Universität, Tübingen, Botanisches Institut, Spezielle Botanik und Mykologie, Auf der Morgenstelle 1, 72076 Tübingen, Germany

ICOM1 Abstract
A nitrogen-fertilization experiment has been carried out on two plots of the ARINUS-Projekt, Schluchsee and Villingen and the Nitrogen-deposition in ectomycorrhizae of Norway spruce was studied. The survey indended to prove wether accumulation of nitrogen containing granules takes place in field material as was shown as in vitro. Different mycorrhizal types and observation sites were compared. Proof and relative quantification of N-accumulation was aided by EELS, Electron Energy Loss Spectroscopy. Compared to the vacuole, the N- content was up to 53 times increased in the granules. All of the investigated types of mycorrhizae were able to form the granules, though to a different extend. The number of granules per mm2 of hyphal mantle increased after fertilization. The increase depended on the mycorrhizal type and more marked on the Schluchsee plot. Xerocomus badius mycorrhizae and Cenococcum geophilum showed already high amounts of granules on the control plot. The N-content of the granules of Xerocomus badius was always high. In contrast, Tylospora fibrillosa contained a higher number of granules and higher N-contents of the granules only after the fertilization. Only Tylospora fibrillosa showed clear differences among the soil horizons. In conclusion mycorrhizal types reacted differently. Apart from mediating the N-nutrition of the host trees, ectomycorrhizae are shown to play a role in the regulation of the nitrogen household of forest soils because of their capacity of N-accumulation.