Evolutionary and ecological forces shape nutrient strategies of mycorrhizal woody plants

The associations of arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) or ectomycorrhiza (EcM) fungi with plants have sequentially evolved and significantly contributed to 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 evaluating present-day woody species, AM plants still display faster nitrogen mineralization 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. Our findings indicate that the global pattern of nutrient acquisition strategies in mycorrhizal plants is shaped by the interplay between phylogeny and climate.