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Abstract
Colorado pinyon pine (Pinus edulis) forms mutualistic associations with root-associated ectomycorrhizal (EM) fungi which confer improved fitness under stressful conditions and thus may be critical to the success of this species in response to global climate change. We review studies of the EM fungal associations of P. edulis with an emphasis on the literature focused on drought and associated P. edulis mortality. We also describe the importance of other soil microbes including nonmycorrhizal fungi and bacteria, and present data describing dominant soil microbial taxa associated with P. edulis. Finally, we discuss the relevance of the patterns observed in these studies to the management of pinyon-juniper (Pinus spp.-Juniperus spp.) ecosystems. We conclude that P. edulis reestablishment or restoration following drought-induced mortality may be limited in some areas because of reduced availability of EM fungal inoculum. Genetically based differences in P. edulis drought tolerance are also associated with differences in EM fungal species composition. Given that the diversity of mycorrhizal fungi can be directly tied to host plant performance, loss of EM fungal diversity after differential P. edulis mortality may negatively affect recruitment in natural populations or in restoration efforts. Yet drought-tolerant P. edulis genotypes and their associated EM fungi may be critical to survival of both host and fungus during ongoing drought.
Parent Publication
Citation
Andrews, Lela V.; Gehring, Catherine. 2020. Root-associated microbes in pinyon pine: Implications for management. In: Malcolm, Karl; Dykstra, Brian; Johnson, Kristine; Lightfoot, David; Muldavin, Esteban; Ramsey, Marikay. Symposium Proceedings on Pinon-Juniper Habitats: Status and Management for Wildlife - 2016. Proceedings RMRS-P-77. Fort Collins, CO: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station. p. 6-19.
