Nitrogen addition overrides the effects of Stellera chamaejasme litter on the growth of Leymus chinensis and its associated mycorrhizal fungi

氮添加掩盖了狼毒凋落物对羊草生长及其菌根真菌的影响 退化草地上迅速蔓延、生长的有毒植物能产生大量的凋落物,而氮输入能促进有毒植物的生长, 并改变其根际微生物特别是丛枝菌根真菌(AMF)的特征。然而,有毒植物的凋落物如何影响可食牧草的生长及其根际AMF,N沉降是否以及如何介导这些影响,目前尚不清楚。本文在中国东北的草甸草原上进行了温室实验以检验添加狼毒(Stellera chamaejasme)凋落物和氮素对优势植物羊草(Leymus chinensis) 的生长、AMF和土壤特征的影响。结果表明,添加凋落物显著增加了羊草分株数、地上生物量和土壤速效磷(AP)浓度,并降低了AMF孢子密度。然而,凋落物与氮素的交互作用并未显著影响羊草和AMF。狼毒凋落物通过提高AP对羊草产生正效应,并结合土壤养分平衡与凋落物诱导的化感成分的变化对AMF产生负效应。另外,高氮添加能缓解土壤的氮限制并抑制凋落物分解,从而减缓凋落物对羊草和AMF的影响。上述结果表明,除了关注有毒植物对家畜的有害作用外,还应客观地、全面地评价有毒植物的生态功能;同时,氮沉降应作为预测退化草地有毒植物与可食植物的种间关系的一项重要指标。     

Mechanistic understanding of interspecific interaction between a C4 grass and a C3 legume via arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi,as influenced by soil phosphorus availability using a 13C and 15N dual-labelled organic patch

Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) can improve plant nutrient acquisition, either by directly supplying nutrients to plants or by promoting soil organic matter mineralization, thereby affecting interspecific plant relationships in natural communities. We examined the mechanism by which the addition of P affects interspecific interactions between a C4 grass (Bothriochloa ischaemum, a dominant species in natural grasslands) and a C3 legume (Lespedeza davurica, a subordinate species in natural grasslands) via AMF and plant growth, by continuous ¹³C and ¹⁵N labelling, combined with soil enzyme analyses. The results of ¹⁵N labelling revealed that P addition affected the shoot uptake of N via AMF by B. ischaemum and L. davurica differently. Specifically, the addition of P significantly increased the shoot uptake of N via AMF by B. ischaemum but significantly decreased that by L. davurica. Interspecific plant interactions via AMF significantly facilitated the plant N uptake via AMF by B. ischaemum but significantly inhibited that by L. davurica under P-limited soil conditions, whereas the opposite effect was observed in the case of excess P. This was consistent with the impact of interspecific plant interaction via AMF on arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) benefit for plant growth. Our data indicate that the capability of plant N uptake via AMF is an important mechanism that influences interspecific relationships between C4 grasses and C3 legumes. Moreover, the effect of AMF on the activities of the soil enzymes responsible for N and P mineralization substantially contributed to the consequence of interspecific plant interaction via AMF for plant growth.     

Severe plant invasions can increase mycorrhizal fungal abundance and diversity

Invasions by non-native plants can alter ecosystem functions and reduce native plant diversity, but relatively little is known about their effect on belowground microbial communities. We show that invasions by knapweed (Centaurea stoebe) and leafy spurge (Euphorbia esula, hereafter spurge)—but not cheatgrass (Bromus tectorum)—support a higher abundance and diversity of symbiotic arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) than multi-species native plant communities. The higher AMF richness associated with knapweed and spurge is unlikely due to a co-invasion by AMF, because a separate sampling showed that individual native forbs hosted a similar AMF abundance and richness as exotic forbs. Native grasses associated with fewer AMF taxa, which could explain the reduced AMF richness in native, grass-dominated communities. The three invasive plant species harbored distinct AMF communities, and analyses of co-occurring native and invasive plants indicate that differences were partly driven by the invasive plants and were not the result of pre-invasion conditions. Our results suggest that invasions by mycotrophic plants that replace poorer hosts can increase AMF abundance and richness. The high AMF richness in monodominant plant invasions also indicates that the proposed positive relationship between above and belowground diversity is not always strong. Finally, the disparate responses among exotic plants and consistent results between grasses and forbs suggest that AMF respond more to plant functional group than plant provenance.     

丛枝菌根真菌（AMF）对外来植物入侵反馈机制的研究进展

丛枝菌根真菌（AMF）在植物群落竞争演替、物种多样性的形成及群落空间分布格局、植物群落对全球变化的响应中均起着重要的调节作用;同样也能影响外来植物与本地植物的互作,影响外来植物入侵过程中植物群落演替进程,甚至决定入侵的成败。因此,AMF与外来植物共生及其对外来植物入侵的反馈已成为国际上外来植物入侵机制研究的一个热点。本文基于外来植物的入侵过程,从AMF对外来植物生长、外来植物与本地植物竞争关系的影响,以及外来植物入侵对AMF的影响及AMF对入侵的反馈3个方面综述了AMF对外来植物入侵的反馈机制。外来植物可以通过多种途径改变土著AMF的群落结构和功能,而土著AMF也能直接或间接地改变甚至逆转外来植物与入侵地植物的互作关系。未来的研究不仅需要考虑AMF与外来植物共生的菌根特性和对竞争关系的影响,还需要通过大尺度条件下的野外试验及室内补充试验深入探究影响AMF在外来植物与本地植物竞争演替中的作用的生物和非生物因子,以全面解释AMF影响外来植物入侵的反馈机制。     

Genetic variability in a population of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi causes variation in plant growth

Different species of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) alter plant growth and affect plant coexistence and diversity. Effects of within-AMF species or within-population variation on plant growth have received less attention. High genetic variation exists within AMF populations. However, it is unknown whether genetic variation contributes to differences in plant growth. In our study, a population of AMF was cultivated under identical conditions for several generations prior to the experiments thus avoiding environmental maternal effects. We show that genetically different Glomus intraradices isolates from one AMF population significantly alter plant growth in an axenic system and in greenhouse experiments. Isolates increased or reduced plant growth meaning that plants potentially receive benefits or are subject to costs by forming associations with different individuals in the AMF population. This shows that genetic variability in AMF populations could affect host-plant fitness and should be considered in future research to understand these important soil organisms.     

Mycorrhizal fungi reduce the negative effects of nitrogen enrichment on plant community structure in dune grassland

Nitrogen (N) inputs to ecosystems have increased worldwide, often leading to large changes in plant community structure and reducing plant diversity. Yet, the interaction of increased N availability with other factors that determine plant community composition, are still poorly understood. Here, we test whether the impact of N addition on plant communities depends on the presence of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF). AMF are widespread plant symbionts that facilitate growth of many plant species. We hypothesize that AM fungi reduce the negative impact of N addition on plant communities by supporting growth of species that are sensitive to N enrichment.We established experimental grassland microcosms consisting of 18 plant species. These microcosms were subjected to high and low N supply and were inoculated with AMF or remained nonmycorrhizal. Both N addition and AMF had a big impact on plant community composition, but with opposite effects. N addition induced a 2.8‐fold increase in grass biomass and reduced legume biomass. Grasses dominated the microcosms at high N supply, especially when AMF were absent. In contrast, AMF enhanced biomass of all legumes species (on average 6.8‐fold) and reduced the relative abundance of grasses. The proportion of legume biomass out of total shoot biomass at high N supply was 19% with AMF and only 3% without AMF. Our results show that responses of plant communities to N enrichment depend on AMF and that AMF can reduce the negative impact of increased N availability on plant community structure by reducing grass dominance.     

Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi affect plant community structure under various nutrient conditions and stabilize the community productivity

Soil biota could have a significant impact on plant productivity and diversity through benefiting plants and mediating plant–plant interaction. However, it is poorly understood how soil biotic factors interaction with abiotic environments affect plant community diversity and composition. Here, we investigate the community‐level consequences of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) interactions with multiple nutrients and their ecological stoichiometry. We conducted a greenhouse experiment manipulating nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) to create soil nutrient availability and N:P gradients for microcosm communities with and without AMF. We found that AMF suppressed plant diversity at low P levels, whereas it did not alter the diversity at high P levels because of trade‐offs in the abundance of the dominant and subordinate species. AMF reduced plant diversity at the intermediate N:P ratios, while AMF did not affect the diversity at low and high N:P ratios. P addition decreased the mycorrhizal contribution to community productivity, whereas N addition reduced the negative effects of AMF on productivity at high P levels. AMF decreased community productivity at low N:P ratios but increased it at high N:P ratios. AMF increased the stoichiometric homoeostasis of plant communities, which was positively correlated with the stability of productivity under variations in soil N:P ratios. Our study demonstrates that both resource availability and stoichiometry influence the effect of AMF on plant community productivity and diversity and suggests that AMF may increase the stability of plant communities under variations in the soil nutrients by increasing the stoichiometric homoeostasis of the plant community.     

Plant-soil feedbacks between invasive shrubs and native forest understory species lead to shifts in the abundance of mycorrhizal fungi

Aims

Non-native shrubs are important invaders of the Eastern Deciduous Forest, dramatically altering forest structure and functioning. Study of invasion mechanisms in this system has emphasized aboveground processes, and plant-soil feedbacks are relatively unexplored as a mechanism of shrub dominance. We tested whether plant-soil feedback in this habitat is affected by competition and whether arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) are involved in plant-soil feedback.

Methods

We used a standard two-phase plant-soil feedback experiment run concurrently for each of three invasive shrub species, measuring feedback effects on AMF colonization, aboveground biomass, and the responses of native plant species in greenhouse mesocosms.

Results

Lonicera maackii and Ligustrum vulgare reduced AMF colonization of native roots, both with legacy effects (prior growth in soil) and direct effects (current growth in soil). Elaeagnus umbellata grown with natives left a legacy of increased AMF colonization of native communities.

Conclusions

Our results suggest that woody invasive species can alter the AMF associations of native plants even after the invasive is no longer present. Such consequences merit study with other native species and where environmental factors, such as light availability, might be expected to compound the effects of changes in AMF.     

广州地区7种菊科入侵植物丛枝菌根侵染和根际土壤孢子密度的生境差异性分析

为了解广州地区7种菊科(Compositae)入侵植物与丛枝菌根真菌(Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi,AMF)的互作共生关系,调查了这7种菊科入侵植物在4种生境中的AMF侵染和根际土壤孢子密度,并分析土壤因子对AMF的影响。结果表明,7种入侵植物根内均受到AMF侵染,根际土壤中均检测到AMF孢子;AMF侵染在宿主间差异显著,生境间的差异不显著;孢子密度在生境和宿主间的差异均显著,人工绿地、农田果园的AMF孢子密度均显著高于森林周边和滨海地带。相关性分析表明,农田果园生境的根际土壤孢子密度与土壤有机质含量呈显著负相关关系;森林周边生境的AMF总侵染率与土壤全氮呈极显著正相关关系;人工绿地的AMF总侵染率与土壤速效氮含量呈显著负相关关系;滨海地带的AMF总侵染率与土壤有效磷含量呈显著负相关关系。这些对理解菊科植物入侵机理具有非常重要的作用。     

Long-term legacies and partial recovery of mycorrhizal communities after invasive plant removal

Invasive plants can have strong impacts on native communities, which have prompted intense efforts at invasive removal. However, relatively little is known about how native communities will reassemble after a dominant invader has been removed from the system. Legacy effects of invasive plants on soil microbial communities may alter native plant community reassembly long after the invader is gone. Here we found that arbuscular mycorrhizal fungal (AMF) communities have shown some recovery in experimental plots following 6 years of removal of the invasive Alliaria petiolata (garlic mustard, a species known to degrade AMF communities) in terms of taxonomic richness and community composition. However, despite this recovery, the density of A. petiolata at the beginning of the experiment (in 2004) still correlated with lower AMF richness and altered community composition after 6 years of annual weeding, suggesting long-term legacies of dense A. petiolata infestations. Because native plant and mycorrhizal fungal communities may show interdependence, reassembly of one community may be limited by the reassembly of the other. Restoration may be more effective if practices address both communities simultaneously.     

AMF colonization and community of a temperate invader and co-occurring natives grown under different CO2 concentrations for 3 years

连续3年不同CO₂浓度下一种温带外来入侵植物和两种共存本地植物丛枝菌根真菌群落及侵染率 大气CO₂浓度升高等全球变化过程不仅能促进外来植物入侵,也能改变土壤丛枝菌根真菌(AMF)的群落结构,但我们并不清楚大气CO₂浓度升高促进外来植物入侵是否与其对外来入侵植物和 本地植物AMF共生的影响有关。为回答这一问题,我们在环境和倍增CO₂浓度下连续3年栽培一年生外来入侵植物瘤突苍耳(Xanthium strumarium)与两种共存的一年生本地近缘植物,比较了AMF侵染率、土 壤养分和土壤AMF群落组成的差异。研究结果表明,大气CO₂浓度升高只在少数情况下提高根系AMF侵染率,并且瘤突苍耳AMF侵染率的提高并不比本地种多。在环境CO₂浓度下,栽培第一年瘤突苍耳的AMF侵染侵染率显著高于两种本地植物;而栽培第二年和第三年与两种本地植物的差异不显著,因为两种本地植物的AMF侵染率随种植时间的增加而增加,而瘤突苍耳AMF侵染率受种植时间的影响较小。物种、CO₂浓度和种植时间对AMF侵染率的影响与它们对土壤养分和AMF群落的影响有关,土壤养分对AMF侵染率的影响可能比AMF群落组成的影响更大,因为后者也受土壤养分的影响。上述结果表明,与本地植物相比,入侵植物能更快地与AMF形成共生关系,有利于其适应和入侵新生境;在探究全球变化如大气CO₂浓度升高等对外来植物入侵的影响时,需要考虑AMF的影响和时间效应。     

The effects of insects,nutrients, and plant invasion on community structure and function above‐ and belowground

Soil nutrient availability, invasive plants, and insect presence can directly alter ecosystem structure and function, but less is known about how these factors may interact. In this 6‐year study in an old‐field ecosystem, we manipulated insect abundance (reduced and control), the propagule pressure of an invasive nitrogen‐fixing plant (propagules added and control), and soil nutrient availability (nitrogen added, nitrogen reduced and control) in a fully crossed, completely randomized plot design. We found that nutrient amendment and, occasionally, insect abundance interacted with the propagule pressure of an invasive plant to alter above‐ and belowground structure and function at our site. Not surprisingly, nutrient amendment had a direct effect on aboveground biomass and soil nutrient mineralization. The introduction of invasive nitrogen‐fixing plant propagules interacted with nutrient amendment and insect presence to alter soil bacterial abundance and the activity of the microbial community. While the larger‐scale, longer‐term bulk measurements such as biomass production and nutrient mineralization responded to the direct effects of our treatments, the shorter‐term and dynamic microbial communities tended to respond to interactions among our treatments. Our results indicate that soil nutrients, invasive plants, and insect herbivores determine both above‐ and belowground responses, but whether such effects are independent versus interdependent varies with scale.     

AM真菌物种多样性:生态功能、影响因素及维持机制

AM真菌物种多样性是土壤生态系统生物多样性的重要组分之一。尽管对AM真菌多样性已有多年研究,但是,已有研究绝大多数仅停留在对AM真菌群落种属解析层面上,对AM真菌物种多样性生态功能及维持机制方面的认识较浅。从生态功能、影响因素及维持机制3个方面系统地综述了近年来AM真菌多样性领域的研究进展。认为AM真菌多样性对植物群落生产力的调控机制及结合理论与实践解析AM真菌多样性维持机制是该领域未来的重点研究方向。     

An Invasive Plant Promotes Its Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Symbioses and Competitiveness through Its Secondary Metabolites: Indirect Evidence from Activated Carbon

Secondary metabolites released by invasive plants can increase their competitive ability by affecting native plants, herbivores, and pathogens at the invaded land. Whether these secondary metabolites affect the invasive plant itself, directly or indirectly through microorganisms, however, has not been well documented. Here we tested whether activated carbon (AC), a well-known absorbent for secondary metabolites, affect arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) symbioses and competitive ability in an invasive plant. We conducted three experiments (experiments 1–3) with the invasive forb Solidago canadensis and the native Kummerowia striata. Experiment 1 determined whether AC altered soil properties, levels of the main secondary metabolites in the soil, plant growth, and AMF communities associated with S. canadensis and K. striata. Experiment 2 determined whether AC affected colonization of S. canadensis by five AMF, which were added to sterilized soil. Experiment 3 determined the competitive ability of S. canadensis in the presence and absence of AMF and AC. In experiment 1, AC greatly decreased the concentrations of the main secondary metabolites in soil, and the changes in concentrations were closely related with the changes of AMF in S. canadensis roots. In experiment 2, AC inhibited the AMF Glomus versiforme and G. geosporum but promoted G. mosseae and G. diaphanum in the soil and also in S. canadensis roots. In experiment 3, AC reduced S. canadensis competitive ability in the presence but not in the absence of AMF. Our results provided indirect evidence that the secondary metabolites (which can be absorbed by AC) of the invasive plant S. canadensis may promote S. canadensis competitiveness by enhancing its own AMF symbionts.     

Effects of exotic plant invasion on soil nitrogen availability

外来植物入侵对土壤氮循环和氮有效性的影响是入侵成功或进一步加剧的重要原因。通过对比相同研究地点入侵区域和无入侵区域的土壤原位氮状态差异, 探讨了外来植物入侵对土壤氮有效性的影响程度和生理生态学机制。基于107篇相关研究文献数据的整合, 发现植物入侵区域相对于无入侵区域土壤总氮、铵态氮、硝态氮、无机氮、微生物生物量氮含量显著增加, 增幅分别为(50 ± 14)%、(60 ± 24)%、(470 ± 115)%、(69 ± 25)%、(54 ± 20)%。土壤硝态氮含量增幅较大反映硝化作用增强, 这可能增加入侵植物硝态氮利用以及喜硝植物的共存。温带地区植物入侵后土壤的硝态氮含量增幅显著高于亚热带地区。固氮植物入侵后土壤的总氮和无机氮含量增幅均显著高于非固氮植物入侵。木本和常绿植物入侵后土壤的总氮含量增幅分别高于草本和落叶植物入侵; 而土壤铵态氮含量的增幅没有显著差异且与固氮入侵植物占比无明显关系; 然而硝态氮含量的增幅普遍较高且与固氮入侵植物占比显著正相关。外来入侵植物固氮功能以及凋落物质量和数量是影响土壤氮矿化和硝化过程的关键因素。该研究为理解外来植物入侵成功和加剧的机制以及入侵植物功能性状与土壤氮动态之间的关系提供了新的见解。     

Responses of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi to multiple coinciding global change drivers

A significant challenge for understanding how fungal communities may change in the Anthropocene are the multiple aspects of simultaneous environmental change. To address this challenge, we used a seven-year multi-factorial field experiment in southern California to examine how root-associated fungi respond to aridity, nitrogen deposition, and plant invasions. We hypothesized that all three global change drivers reduce the abundance of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi responsible for nutrient uptake (edaphophilic AMF), while increasing the abundance of AMF that colonize roots at high rates (rhizophilic AMF). We found that invasive grasses hosted lower abundances of edaphophilic AMF, and higher abundances of rhizophilic AMF and opportunistically parasitic fungi. Aridity reduced overall AMF abundance while N addition altered the allocation of AMF biomass, increasing root colonization while reducing the density of extraradical hyphae. Overall, these results imply that ongoing global change will alter both the composition of AMF and how these fungi interact with plants.     

外来植物入侵对土壤氮有效性的影响

外来植物入侵对土壤氮循环和氮有效性的影响是入侵成功或进一步加剧的重要原因。通过对比相同研究地点入侵区域和无入侵区域的土壤原位氮状态差异, 探讨了外来植物入侵对土壤氮有效性的影响程度和生理生态学机制。基于107篇相关研究文献数据的整合, 发现植物入侵区域相对于无入侵区域土壤总氮、铵态氮、硝态氮、无机氮、微生物生物量氮含量显著增加, 增幅分别为(50 ± 14)%、(60 ± 24)%、(470 ± 115)%、(69 ± 25)%、(54 ± 20)%。土壤硝态氮含量增幅较大反映硝化作用增强, 这可能增加入侵植物硝态氮利用以及喜硝植物的共存。温带地区植物入侵后土壤的硝态氮含量增幅显著高于亚热带地区。固氮植物入侵后土壤的总氮和无机氮含量增幅均显著高于非固氮植物入侵。木本和常绿植物入侵后土壤的总氮含量增幅分别高于草本和落叶植物入侵; 而土壤铵态氮含量的增幅没有显著差异且与固氮入侵植物占比无明显关系; 然而硝态氮含量的增幅普遍较高且与固氮入侵植物占比显著正相关。外来入侵植物固氮功能以及凋落物质量和数量是影响土壤氮矿化和硝化过程的关键因素。该研究为理解外来植物入侵成功和加剧的机制以及入侵植物功能性状与土壤氮动态之间的关系提供了新的见解。     

Nitrogen-fixing bacteria alleviates competition between arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi and Solidago canadensis for nutrients under nitrogen limitation

丛枝菌根真菌(AMF)能与大多数陆生植物的根系形成共生体, 有助于宿主植物吸收养分。但营养胁迫下, 根系微生物对AMF与宿主植物间关系的影响少见报道。该研究假设: 在营养极度匮乏(如氮胁迫)环境下, AMF与宿主植物可能产生营养竞争, 而固氮菌的介入能够缓解两者对营养的竞争关系。为了验证这一假设, 该文探究了加拿大一枝黄花(Solidago canadensis)生长受限的氮浓度, 并在氮受限条件下检验了AMF、加拿大一枝黄花及固氮菌三者间的关系。结果表明: 低氮处理明显抑制了加拿大一枝黄花的地上生物量和总生物量, 尤其以0.025 mmol·L^-1 N的氨态氮对加拿大一枝黄花的负影响更甚。在此氮浓度下, 单独添加AMF总体上都进一步抑制了加拿大一枝黄花的生长, 而固氮菌的添加在一定程度上提高了氮受限条件下AMF对宿主的根部侵染率及宿主植物生物量。这表明固氮菌能够缓和氮受限条件下AMF和加拿大一枝黄花间的营养竞争关系。研究结果加深了对外来植物在极度营养胁迫环境下与多种微生物互作的入侵机制的理解。     

Colonization of Tanacetum vulgare by aphids is reduced by earthworms

Soil organisms affect plant growth and chemistry and have subsequent effects on aboveground herbivore performance. However, whether herbivores discriminate between plants exposed to different soil organisms when colonizing their host plants is largely unexplored. In a greenhouse study, Tanacetum vulgare L. (Asteraceae) growing in a ruderal plant community in the presence and absence of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) and earthworms [Aporrectodea spp. (Haplotaxida: Lumbricidae)] was colonized by aphids [Myzus persicae Sulzer (Hemiptera: Aphididae)]. The aphids preferred to colonize plants without earthworms in the soil, and the numbers of aphids remained lower on the plants with earthworms, irrespective of the presence of AMF. Although the N, C, and P concentrations of the shoots were not affected by the soil organisms, AMF increased total aboveground biomass, total N, C, and P content, and photosynthetic activity (measured as electron transport rate) in the leaves under high light intensity. These results suggest that earthworms affect chemical cues that are used by aphids to judge host quality prior to feeding. Discrimination between plants with and without exposure to earthworms by aboveground herbivores is a novel aspect of plant‐mediated interactions between below‐ and aboveground organisms.     

Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi enhance P uptake and alter plant morphology in the invasive plant Microstegium vimineum

Invasive plant species can interact with native soil microbes in ways that change how they use nutrients and allocate biomass. To examine whether Microstegium vimineum form symbiotic associations with arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) and whether AMF mediate nutrient acquisition and growth of the plant, we conducted a field survey in Raleigh, NC and Hangzhou, China and two experiments in growth chambers. This is the first report that M. vimineum is mycorrhizal, with colonization rates of 47 and 21 % in its native and invaded range, respectively. In the growth chamber, addition of an AMF inoculum mixture significantly promoted M. vimineum biomass accumulation in both field and sterilized soils, particularly after 64 days of growth. Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi also increased plant phosphorous (P) uptake but did not consistently affect total plant nitrogen (N) acquisition, leading to decreases in plant N:P ratios. More interestingly, AMF significantly altered plant morphology, increasing the number of stolons and aerial roots per individual (59 and 723 %), aerial roots per gram aboveground biomass (374 %) and aerial roots per stolon (404 %). Our results suggest that mycorrhizal enhancement of plant growth by stimulating tillering may serve as another mechanism by which M. vimineum can quickly take over new territory. Future studies on invasive plant-microbial interactions are needed to understand the mechanisms through which microbes contribute to the competitive ability of invasive plants.