Clonal integration in Vallisneria natans alters growth and the rhizosphere microbial community of neighboring plants under heterogeneous conditions

Background Resource translocation among interconnected ramets can improve the growth performance of the recipient ramets and influence soil properties and microbial communities in the rooting zone. However, scanty attention has been paid to the effect of this clonal integration on soil biotic and abiotic characteristics of neighboring species around the recipient ramets. Methods We conducted a soil heterogeneous experiment in which the mother ramet of the ramet pair for Vallisneria natans was planted in a high-nutrient patch, and the daughter ramet was planted in a low-nutrient patch with conspecific neighbors V. natans or heterospecific neighbors Myriophyllum spicatum. The stolons between ramet pairs were severed or left intact. Results Our results showed that effects of clonal integration on growth of the daughter ramet depend on the identity of neighboring species. Overall growth of neighbors V. natans was not affected by clonal integration, while growth of neighbors M. spicatum was greatly reduced. Soil properties and microbial community composition (especially bacteria) in the rhizosphere of neighboring plants were significantly influenced by clonal integration, and these effects were more obvious in the rhizosphere of neighbor V. natans than those in the rhizosphere of neighbors M. spicatum. Conclusion Our study suggests that clonal integration may play a vital role in facilitating nutrient cycling, modifying habitat heterogeneity and affecting interspecific interactions and even the community structure.

Automated summary

This study found that the effects of clonal integration on neighboring species depend on their identity and can significantly influence soil properties and microbial community composition. These findings suggest that clonal integration may play a vital role in nutrient cycling, habitat heterogeneity, and interspecific interactions.