Speaker
Description
Climate change poses a significant threat to agroecosystems by altering the environmental conditions that shape key soil microbial communities, including arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF). These fungi form vital symbiotic relationships with the roots of most terrestrial plants, enhancing nutrient uptake and influencing carbon cycling. Currently, little is known about how climate change affects the seasonal dynamics of AMF in perennial crops.
To address this, we investigate temporal shifts in AMF communities in pear orchards exposed to two climate scenarios – current (2013-2018) and simulated future (2042-2046) – using state-of-the-art Ecotron facilities. Fine roots and rhizosphere soil were sampled at three time points linked to distinct phenophases (mid-summer, early autumn, and late autumn) to assess both intraradical and extraradical AMF components. Community composition was analyzed using metabarcoding, complemented by spore-based assessments of abundance and functional guild distribution.
Preliminary results reveal flattened and delayed sporulation trends in rhizophilic AMF under future climate conditions, with the typical mid-summer sporulation peak absent and increased activity in early autumn. In contrast, edaphophilic and ancestral AMF displayed stable patterns across timepoints and climates. These shifts suggest that future climate conditions may alter AMF reproductive timing and carbon allocation, potentially reducing soil carbon storage and modifying plant-fungal carbon exchange.
This study provides novel insights into how AMF functional groups respond to climate-driven phenological changes, improving our understanding of belowground carbon cycling and resilience in perennial agroecosystems.
| If accepted by the Scientific Board, I agree to have my presentation/poster and abstract published on the Belgian Climate Centre websites and social media. | Yes |
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