Comparative analysis of the mycorrhizal associations established by Struthiopteris spicant (L.) Weiss

The present study compares the mycorrhizal communities associated with 36 populations of Struthiopteris spicant L. Weiss across Europe and the United States, following an ITS-focused metabarcoding approach and analyzing geographical and environmental factors. This fern species exhibits a great tolerance to variations in light, nutrient, and pH conditions, and has been observed with and without mycorrhizae. Our study explores in deep for the first time facultative mycorrhization in a single fern species and it was complemented by a previous greenhouse experiment with 80 specimens of S. spicant and three factors (Light, Phosphorus, and Nitrogen).