Arbuscular and ectomycorrhizal tree seedling growth is inhibited by competition

The experiments were conducted in southern Quebec, in the northern temperate deciduous forest bioclimatic domain. Tree seedlings (AM and ECM species) were planted on site in tubes set in the ground and i) left intact, ii) allowing hyphal access or iii) allowing roots and hyphal access from neighboring herbaceous vegetation. Seedling performance, root morphological traits and mycorrhizal colonization were compared in relation to presence of neighboring roots and/or fungal hyphae. More information on the experimental design are found in : Parasquive, V., J. Brisson, E. Laliberté, and P.-L. Chagnon. 2024. Arbuscular and ectomycorrhizal tree seedling growth is inhibited by competition from neighboring roots and associated fungal hyphae. Plant and Soil.