![]() | Project title | What is the plasticity and constraint in growth and protein mineralization of ectomycorrhizal fungi under simulated nitrogen deposition |
Difficulty Level | High school | |
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Description | ||
Ectomycorrhizal fungi allow their host plants access to organic forms of N through enzymatic mineralization of the substrate and enhanced absorption of amino acids and mineral N. The cost to the plant is carbohydrates that support fungal growth and metabolism. Enrichment of soils with mineral N, as through atmospheric deposition, may affect the growth and function of these fungi by direct effects of increased N availability on fungi and indirect effects through reduced plant C allocation to roots. We tested the potential of N enrichment and altered carbohydrate supply to affect the growth and protein mineralization activity of 10 ectomycorrhizal fungi in sterile liquid media. |