Mycorrhizal colonization and root diameter of native and invasive plants of eastern North America

Arbuscular mycorrhizal colonization (total and arbuscules) were measured in roots of 10 species of eastern North American woody plants. Five were non-native invasive and 5 were native species. Roots were collected from ingrowth cores over three harvests during a single season, from a common garden. Diameter was estimated from published root density and specific root length values for each species.

Methods
Arbuscular mycorrhizal colonization (total and arbuscules) were measured in roots of 10 species of eastern North American woody plants. Five were non-native invasive and 5 were native species. Roots were collected from ingrowth cores over three harvests during a single season, from a common garden. Diameter was estimated from existing data on root density and specific root length. The aim of the study was to investigate the relationship between species nativity and mycorrhizal colonization, and to correlate mycorrhizal colonization with plant traits.