70
different soil fungal communities (Ascomycetes, Basidiomycetes and total fungi)
associated with the root system of raulí specimens from populations with different
genetic diversity (i.e. low, intermediate and high). Plants installed in two contrasting
ecosystems were analysed: a natural Nothofagus forest and a Pinus ponderosa plantation. It was clearly observed that Ascomycetes, Basidiomycetes and total fungi
communities were completely different between the natural forest and the pine
plantation, regardless of N. alpina provenance. Based on species richness, it was
determined that Basidiomycetes was the dominating fungal group in the natural forest, as has been previously described (Nouhra et al. 2013; Mestre et al. 2014;
Fernández et al. 2015; Truong et al. 2019; Barroetaveña et al. 2019), and Ascomycetes
in the pine plantation. Indeed, richness of these fungal groups was negatively correlated. The fact that the Basidiomycetes to Ascomycetes richness ratio changed
significantly in the plantation suggests that these fungal groups might be used as
bioindicators of environmental changes reflected in the soil (e.g. forest management, anthropogenic disturbs). Factors such as soil physicochemical characteristics,
quantity and quality of organic matter and the different EcM fungi associated with
each forestry species seemed to be the main factors determining the structure of
these soil fungal communities. Some tendencies relating the intraspecific genetic
diversity of N. alpina to the richness and composition of soil fungal communities
were also noticed. For example, specimens corresponding to a provenance with
intermediate genetic diversity presented higher richness of Basidiomycetes and
total fungi than other provenances with lower and higher genetic diversity, respectively. Consequently, this study provides evidence that the genetic diversity of the
population from which seeds are collected could influence the composition of the
fungal communities in the soil, which in turn could affect the plant performance and
different ecosystem processes.
3.4.3 Concluding Remarks on the Relevance of Fungal
Communities for Conservation
and Domestication Programmes
As described previously, there is a significant intraspecific variation regarding the
fungal communities associated with N. alpina roots, and it depends on different factors, such as cultivation technique, plant age, plant genetic diversity, management
practices and changes in soil use. This information is relevant for setting down management guidelines that include the employment of EcM fungi for cultivation during domestication processes. It also highlights the potential of applying soil fungi as
bioindicators and contributes to the understanding of how these microorganisms
respond to changes related to land use and anthropogenic disturbances such as the
establishment of exotic plantations. Finally, these considerations are relevant not
only for a better understanding of ecological processes but also for their application
in the production of seedlings ulteriorly used in afforestation for economic or restoration purposes.
P. Marchelli et al.
different soil fungal communities (Ascomycetes, Basidiomycetes and total fungi)
associated with the root system of raulí specimens from populations with different
genetic diversity (i.e. low, intermediate and high). Plants installed in two contrasting
ecosystems were analysed: a natural Nothofagus forest and a Pinus ponderosa plantation. It was clearly observed that Ascomycetes, Basidiomycetes and total fungi
communities were completely different between the natural forest and the pine
plantation, regardless of N. alpina provenance. Based on species richness, it was
determined that Basidiomycetes was the dominating fungal group in the natural forest, as has been previously described (Nouhra et al. 2013; Mestre et al. 2014;
Fernández et al. 2015; Truong et al. 2019; Barroetaveña et al. 2019), and Ascomycetes
in the pine plantation. Indeed, richness of these fungal groups was negatively correlated. The fact that the Basidiomycetes to Ascomycetes richness ratio changed
significantly in the plantation suggests that these fungal groups might be used as
bioindicators of environmental changes reflected in the soil (e.g. forest management, anthropogenic disturbs). Factors such as soil physicochemical characteristics,
quantity and quality of organic matter and the different EcM fungi associated with
each forestry species seemed to be the main factors determining the structure of
these soil fungal communities. Some tendencies relating the intraspecific genetic
diversity of N. alpina to the richness and composition of soil fungal communities
were also noticed. For example, specimens corresponding to a provenance with
intermediate genetic diversity presented higher richness of Basidiomycetes and
total fungi than other provenances with lower and higher genetic diversity, respectively. Consequently, this study provides evidence that the genetic diversity of the
population from which seeds are collected could influence the composition of the
fungal communities in the soil, which in turn could affect the plant performance and
different ecosystem processes.
3.4.3 Concluding Remarks on the Relevance of Fungal
Communities for Conservation
and Domestication Programmes
As described previously, there is a significant intraspecific variation regarding the
fungal communities associated with N. alpina roots, and it depends on different factors, such as cultivation technique, plant age, plant genetic diversity, management
practices and changes in soil use. This information is relevant for setting down management guidelines that include the employment of EcM fungi for cultivation during domestication processes. It also highlights the potential of applying soil fungi as
bioindicators and contributes to the understanding of how these microorganisms
respond to changes related to land use and anthropogenic disturbances such as the
establishment of exotic plantations. Finally, these considerations are relevant not
only for a better understanding of ecological processes but also for their application
in the production of seedlings ulteriorly used in afforestation for economic or restoration purposes.
P. Marchelli et al.