Evolutionary and ecological forces shape woody plant-symbiont nutrient strategies across biomes

The associations of arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) or ectomycorrhiza (EcM) fungi with plants have sequentially evolved and played vital roles in enhancing plant nutrition. Nonetheless, how evolutionary and ecological forces drive nutrient acquisition strategies of AM and EcM plants remains poorly understood. Our global analysis of woody species revealed that, over divergence time, AM plants evolved faster nitrogen mineralization rates without changes in nitrogen resorption. However, EcM plants exhibited an increase in nitrogen mineralization but a decrease in nitrogen resorption, indicating a shift towards a more inorganic nutrient economy. Despite this alteration, when considering species under modern climates, AM plants display faster nitrogen mineralization rates and lower nitrogen resorption than EcM plants. This inorganic nutrient economy allows AM plants to thrive in warm environments with a faster litter decomposition rate. Overall, our study suggests that the interplay between phylogeny and climate has shaped nutrient acquisition strategies of AM and EcM plants.