Fungal symbiont diversity drives growth of Holcus lanatus depending on soil nutrient availability

Arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi frequently colonise plant roots and can affect plant morphology and physiology through their contribution to plant nutrition. However, the functional role of AM fungi in the presence of other microbial symbionts, including widespread Mucoromycotina ‘fine root endophytes’ (MFRE) fungi, remains largely unknown.
While both AM fungi and MFRE transfer nutrients, including nitrogen, from inorganic and organic sources to host plants, their combined effects on co-colonised plants have only been investigated in liverworts. Here, we compare the morphology and physiology of the grass Holcus lanatus grown with an AM fungal community versus a more diverse symbiotic fungal community containing both AM fungi and MFRE. 

Holcus lanatus plants were grown in the presence of either a diverse MFRE+AM fungi soil inoculum or a multi-species AM fungal inoculum. Plant traits associated with growth were quantified, along with fungal transfer of 15N tracer to plants from a vari..., The dataset was collected from a single pot experiment using measurements taken by hand/through observation or using specialist equipment. A detailed account is provided: 

Fungal colonisation data – harvested root material was mounted on microscope slides and fungal structures were quantified manually under a compound microscope through observation.
Hyphal length data – isolated fungal hyphae from soil were mounted on microscope slides and fungal structures were quantified manually under a compound microscope through observation.
Biomasses – harvested material was weighed on electronic scales.
Number of Tillers – plant tillers were quantified weekly through counting by hand.
Number of Leaves – plant leaves were quantified weekly through counting by hand.
Maximum Canopy Height & RGR – the height of the tallest leaf was measured weekly using hand-held callipers. From this data, the relative growth rate per pot was determined (see equations within Excel sheet).
Chlorophyll content (SP..., , # Fungal symbiont diversity drives growth of Holcus lanatus depending on soil nutrient availability

The dataset contains data collected periodically during the pot experiment (Number of Tillers, Number of Leaves, Maximum Canopy Height & RGR, Chlorophyll content (SPAD)), and at the endpoint of the experiment (Fungal colonisation data, Hyphal length data, Biomasses, 15N and N in shoots, 15N and N in roots). Raw and processed data are included.

## Description of the data and file structure

The dataset was collected from a single pot experiment using measurements taken by hand/through observation or using specialist equipment. A detailed account of each Excel sheet contained within the data file is provided: 

### Sheet 1: Fungal colonisation.

Number of samples analysed = 48

* Pot ID: pot number identifier
* Core with isotope tracer: the status (rotated or static) of the plastic core containing labelled nutrients that were only accessible to fungi.
* 15N-labelled source: t...