Inoculum source dependent effects of ericoid, mycorrhizal fungi on flowering and reproductive success in highbush blueberry (Vaccinium corymbosum)

Most terrestrial angiosperms form mutualisms with both mycorrhizal fungi and animal pollinators. Yet, the effects of mycorrhizae on pollinator behavior and plant reproduction are unknown for most species, and whether the source or type of mycorrhizal fungi affects reproductive success has rarely been examined. We examined whether inoculating highbush blueberry (Vaccinium corymbosum; Ericaceae) with ericoid mycorrhizal fungi enhanced investment in flowering and attractiveness to pollinators, and thus reduced their levels of pollen limitation over that of non-inoculated plants. We also examined the degree to which pollen limitation was dependent on inoculation source and the surrounding pollinator community context. Three-year-old saplings of Vaccinium corymbosum 'Bluecrop' or highbush blueberry (Ericaceae) were inoculated with a) ericoid mycorrhizal fungi within soil of the rhizosphere of plants growing at a local blueberry farm, b) a commercially available ericoid inoculant, c) both the local soils and commercial inoculum, or d) were not inoculated and served as controls. They were grown for one year in pots in a common garden and, in the following year, were moved to six farms in central Vermont that were known from prior studies to differ in pollinator abundance and diversity. We conducted a hand pollination experiment at each farm to examine if inoculation or pollinator abundance (i.e., farm context) affected reproductive success. Plants treated with all types of inoculums were more likely to flower, and produced more inflorescence buds than non-inoculated plants in 2018. However, in 2019, plants in the combination inoculum treatment, alone, produced more inflorescence buds than those in the other treatments. Neither the source of inoculum nor hand pollination affected fruit set (the proportion of flowers setting fruit), or fruit sugar content. Hand pollination, but not inoculation, increased berry mass and the average number of seeds produced/berry. Our results add to the growing body of evidence that mycorrhizal fungi can affect reproductive traits of their hosts but that the effects of mycorrhizal fungi depend on the mycorrhizal symbionts.

Automated summary

Most terrestrial angiosperms form mutualistic relationships with mycorrhizal fungi and animal pollinators, but the effects of mycorrhizae on pollinator behavior and plant reproduction are not well understood. This study examined the effects of inoculating highbush blueberry plants with ericoid mycorrhizal fungi on flowering investment and attractiveness to pollinators. The results showed that plants treated with inoculums were more likely to flower and produced more inflorescence buds than non-inoculated plants.