Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungal communities differ in neighboring vineyards of different ages

Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) are key organisms in viticultural ecosystems as they provide many ecosystem services to soils and plants. Data about AMF community dynamics over time are relatively scarce and at short time scales. Many factors such as the soil, climate, and agricultural practices could modify the dynamics and functions of microbial communities. However, the effects on microbial communities of plant phenology and changes in plant physiology over time largely have been overlooked. We analyzed the diversity of AMF in three geographically close vineyards with similar soil parameters for 2 years. The plots differed in grapevine age (11, 36, and 110 years), but had the same soil management practice (horse tillage). Diversity analyses revealed a difference in the composition of AMF communities between the soil and grapevine roots and among roots of grapevines of different ages. This underlines AMF adaptation to physiological changes in the host which can explain the development of different AMF communities. The dynamics of AMF communities can highlight their resilience to environmental changes and agricultural practices.

Automated summary

Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) play a crucial role in viticultural ecosystems by providing various ecosystem services to soils and plants. However, there is a lack of data on AMF community dynamics over time, particularly at short time scales. This study analyzed the diversity of AMF in three vineyards over 2 years and found differences in AMF communities between soil and grapevine roots, as well as among roots of different ages. These findings highlight the adaptation of AMF to physiological changes in the host and their resilience to environmental changes and agricultural practices.