XVI International Botanical Congess

Microcosm experiments focused on the interaction of different plant species under simulated acid rain (SAR) showed that grasses Calamagrostis villosa and Deschampsia flexuosa can interact via extraradical mycelium of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF). Fungal mycelium proliferating to the soil from the roots of one plant reached root zone of another plant growing about 8 cm apart. The existence of links between both rhizospheres influenced the growth of both plants and outcome of the below-ground interaction. Mycelial links increased total amounts of 32P transported between both species, while mechanical disturbance of the mycelium resulted in reduction of radioisotope transfer. The SAR significantly reduced AMF development and symbiosis function. The role of mycorrhizal mycelium in interaction of plants in a plant community with respect to edaphic conditions is discussed. Research was financed by the Grant Agency of the Academy of Sciences, grant A 6005705.