Photosynthetic product allocations of Pinus massoniana seedlings inoculated with ectomycorrhizal fungi along a nitrogen addition gradient

Quantifying the allocation of photosynthetic products among different carbon (C) pools is critical for understanding and predicting plant C turnover response to climate change. A field experiment with ectomycorrhizal fungi (EMF) and nitrogen (N) was established to investigate the effects on allocation of photosynthetic products in Pinus massoniana (Lamb.) seedlings given increased N deposition. Seedlings were subjected to N addition and symbiosis with EMF, and the short-term allocation of a C-13 photosynthetic pulse into leaves, branches, stems, roots, and soil was traced. Photosynthetic rate and root respiration were measured. It was found that N addition changed the allocation pattern of photosynthetic products in various organs of P. massoniana. Furthermore, N addition, mycorrhizal symbiosis, and interaction of N and EMF, all increased the amount of C produced by photosynthesis. N application less than 60 kg N hm(-1) a(-1) could promote the transfer and allocation of photosynthetic products in P. massoniana organs, which peaks at 60 kg N hm(-1) a(-1), and the highest N treatment began to decrease at 90 kg N hm(-1) a(-1). EMF inoculation could expand the absorption area of plant roots to obtain more nutrients and synthesize more C and N compounds for promoting the growth of itself and the host plant, improving the net photosynthetic rate and the distribution of C produced by photosynthesis in various organs. This forms a benign C and N cycle, thereby reducing the effect of high N addition on plants. The optimal N addition concentration was 60 kg N hm(-1) a(-1), and the optimal EMF was Pt, which provides a theoretical basis for inoculating EMF during increasing N deposition in the future climate change scenario. This enables plants to distribute more photosynthetic products to their roots, thus affecting their own C distribution for promoting growth.

Automated summary

The allocation of photosynthetic products in Pinus massoniana was affected by nitrogen addition and mycorrhizal symbiosis, with an optimal nitrogen addition concentration of 60 kg N hm(-1) a(-1). Mycorrhizal symbiosis expanded the absorption area of plant roots, promoting growth.