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Contrasting arbuscular mycorrhizal responses of vascular and non-vascular plants to a simulated Palaeozoic CO2 decline

Author

Listed:
  • Katie J. Field

    (University of Sheffield)

  • Duncan D. Cameron

    (University of Sheffield)

  • Jonathan R. Leake

    (University of Sheffield)

  • Stefanie Tille

    (University of Sheffield)

  • Martin I. Bidartondo

    (Imperial College London
    Jodrell Laboratory, Royal Botanic Gardens)

  • David J. Beerling

    (University of Sheffield)

Abstract

The arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungal symbiosis is widely hypothesized to have promoted the evolution of land plants from rootless gametophytes to rooted sporophytes during the mid-Palaeozoic (480–360 Myr, ago), at a time coincident with a 90% fall in the atmospheric CO2 concentration ([CO2]a). Here we show using standardized dual isotopic tracers (14C and 33P) that AM symbiosis efficiency (defined as plant P gain per unit of C invested into fungi) of liverwort gametophytes declines, but increases in the sporophytes of vascular plants (ferns and angiosperms), at 440 p.p.m. compared with 1,500 p.p.m. [CO2]a. These contrasting responses are associated with larger AM hyphal networks, and structural advances in vascular plant water-conducting systems, promoting P transport that enhances AM efficiency at 440 p.p.m. [CO2]a. Our results suggest that non-vascular land plants not only faced intense competition for light, as vascular land floras grew taller in the Palaeozoic, but also markedly reduced efficiency and total capture of P as [CO2]a fell.

Suggested Citation

  • Katie J. Field & Duncan D. Cameron & Jonathan R. Leake & Stefanie Tille & Martin I. Bidartondo & David J. Beerling, 2012. "Contrasting arbuscular mycorrhizal responses of vascular and non-vascular plants to a simulated Palaeozoic CO2 decline," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 3(1), pages 1-8, January.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:3:y:2012:i:1:d:10.1038_ncomms1831
    DOI: 10.1038/ncomms1831
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