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Multiple factors influence the role of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi in soil aggregation—a meta-analysis

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Abstract

Background and aims

Soil aggregation is a crucial aspect of ecosystem functioning in terrestrial ecosystems. Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) play a key role in soil aggregate formation and stabilization. Here we quantitatively analyzed the importance of experimental settings as well as biotic and abiotic factors for the effectiveness of AMF to stabilize soil macroaggregates.

Methods

We gathered 35 studies on AMF and soil aggregation and tested 13 predictor variables for their relevance with a boosted regression tree analysis and performed a meta-analysis, fitting individual random effects models for each variable.

Results and conclusions

The overall mean effect of inoculation with AMF on soil aggregation was positive and predictor variable means were all in the range of beneficial effects. Pot studies and studies with sterilized sandy soil, near neutral soil pH, a pot size smaller than 2.5 kg and a duration between 2.2 and 5 months were more likely to result in stronger effects of AMF on soil aggregation than experiments in the field, with non-sterilized or fine textured soil or an acidic pH. This is the first study to quantitatively show that the effect of AMF inoculation on soil aggregation is positive and context dependent. Our findings can help to improve the use of this important ecosystem process, e.g. for inoculum application in restoration sites.

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Acknowledgments

This work was funded by a grant from the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (German Research Foundation). SDV was supported by an EU Marie Curie fellowship. AL was funded by the Dahlem Center of Plant Science of Freie Universität Berlin.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Institut für Biologie, Plant Ecology, Freie Universität Berlin, Altensteinstr. 6, 14195, Berlin, Germany

    Eva F. Leifheit, Stavros D. Veresoglou, Anika Lehmann, E. Kathryn Morris & Matthias C. Rillig

  2. Berlin-Brandenburg Institute of Advanced Biodiversity Research (BBIB), 14195, Berlin, Germany

    Eva F. Leifheit, Stavros D. Veresoglou, Anika Lehmann & Matthias C. Rillig

  3. Department of Biology, Xavier University, 3800 Victory Parkway, Cincinnati, OH, 45207, USA

    E. Kathryn Morris

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  1. Eva F. Leifheit
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  2. Stavros D. Veresoglou
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  4. E. Kathryn Morris
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  5. Matthias C. Rillig
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Correspondence to Matthias C. Rillig.

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Leifheit, E.F., Veresoglou, S.D., Lehmann, A. et al. Multiple factors influence the role of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi in soil aggregation—a meta-analysis. Plant Soil 374, 523–537 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11104-013-1899-2

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