Slow recovery of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi and plant community after fungicide application: An eight-year experiment

AimIn our previous study, we found strong effects of fungicide application on diversity and composition of grassland plant community. Here, we evaluated the recovery of the plant community and arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) infectivity after fungicide application and the effects of grazing management on the recovery. LocationNorthern Bohemia, Czech Republic. MethodsWe recorded plant species composition and AMF infectivity in permanent plots in dry grassland over a period of 5years after termination of fungicide application and grazing introduction. ResultsThe negative effect of fungicide on plant species composition, diversity, AMF infectivity and cover of forbs still persisted 5years after the last fungicide application. The cover of graminoids decreased, and their cover reached the level before fungicide application. While grazing had no effect on plant species recovery, it led to recovery of AMF infectivity. ConclusionAlthough graminoids lost their dominance after termination of fungicide application and grazing led to the recovery of AMF infectivity, the dry grassland plant community was not completely restored. The forbs were not able to recolonize the site. Their absence might be caused by dispersal limitation or changes in restored AMF community composition. Direct seed sowing may thus be used to support the plant recovery.