Does soil heterogeneity & mycorrhizal symbiosis influence plant competitive interactions?
(for 2010-11) The distribution of nutrients in soil is heterogeneous or ‘patchy’. When plant roots encounter such patches they proliferate roots within them widely believed to be a foraging response to acquire nutrients. We have previously demonstrated that root proliferation can alter plant competitive interactions (Hodge et al. 1999 Plant, Cell & Environ 22:811-820). However proliferation is expensive and when carbon supply is limited both root proliferation and competitive interactions may alter. Most plants also have an additional mechanism to enhance nutrient capture namely mycorrhizal symbiosis. Although the fungi in these associations can also exploit nutrient patches (Hodge et al 2001 Nature 413:297-299), they too rely on a supply of carbon from their host plant. This project will examine the effects upon patch exploitation and competitive interactions among different plant species with and without mycorrhiza when carbon supply is restricted and determine the consequences for p
