About this Research Topic
In the context of global climate change, there is great attention being given to enhancing the stability of soil organic carbon (SOC) and reducing its loss. In recent years, some studies have shifted their focus towards the role of plant-associated fungi in SOC turnover and have suggested that these fungi can contribute to the input of 60% to 70% of plant photosynthetic carbon into the SOC pool. Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF), as one of the soil microorganisms with close relationships to plants, can form mutualistic symbiotic associations with over 70% of terrestrial plants. It is estimated that the average mycorrhizal dependency for field crops, forage crops, grasses, and woody plants is 44%, 56%, 70%, and 79%, respectively. Perennial plants generally have a higher mycorrhizal dependency than annual plants, and C4 plants have a higher mycorrhizal dependency than C3 plants.
In the mycorrhizal symbiotic system, AMF assist plants in absorbing nutrients and water from the soil, while plants allocate a certain amount of photosynthetic carbon for the growth and development of AMF. Through an extensive network of hyphae, AMF can transport plant photosynthetic carbon to both the rhizosphere and non-rhizosphere soil, serving as an important pathway for plant carbon input into the soil. After acquiring photosynthetic carbon from plants, AMF can directly or indirectly influence the stability of SOC. Direct effects include (1) carbon retention by living mycelium of AMF, (2) molecular structural resistance of mycelium secretions and residues, and (3) adsorption by soil minerals. Indirect effects include (1) increasing the content and quality of plant-derived carbon, (2) stimulation effects of mycelium secretions and residues, and (3) promotion of formation and stability of soil aggregates. However, the mechanisms of SOC stabilization mediated by AMF are still unclear.
Therefore, we would like to explore the inherent relationships between the SOC and the AMF. For this Research Topic, we seek original research articles, review articles, opinions, and perspectives that cover, but are not limited to, the following topics:
1. The mechanisms by which mycorrhizal plants convert photosynthetic carbon into stable SOC.
2. The contribution and influencing factors of AMF on the stability of SOC in different ecosystems.
3. The relationships between the diversity of AMF and the stability of SOC under different management practices.
In the mycorrhizal symbiotic system, AMF assist plants in absorbing nutrients and water from the soil, while plants allocate a certain amount of photosynthetic carbon for the growth and development of AMF. Through an extensive network of hyphae, AMF can transport plant photosynthetic carbon to both the rhizosphere and non-rhizosphere soil, serving as an important pathway for plant carbon input into the soil. After acquiring photosynthetic carbon from plants, AMF can directly or indirectly influence the stability of SOC. Direct effects include (1) carbon retention by living mycelium of AMF, (2) molecular structural resistance of mycelium secretions and residues, and (3) adsorption by soil minerals. Indirect effects include (1) increasing the content and quality of plant-derived carbon, (2) stimulation effects of mycelium secretions and residues, and (3) promotion of formation and stability of soil aggregates. However, the mechanisms of SOC stabilization mediated by AMF are still unclear.
Therefore, we would like to explore the inherent relationships between the SOC and the AMF. For this Research Topic, we seek original research articles, review articles, opinions, and perspectives that cover, but are not limited to, the following topics:
1. The mechanisms by which mycorrhizal plants convert photosynthetic carbon into stable SOC.
2. The contribution and influencing factors of AMF on the stability of SOC in different ecosystems.
3. The relationships between the diversity of AMF and the stability of SOC under different management practices.
Keywords: microbial symbioses, arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi, soil organic carbon, rhizosphere environments, soil aggregates, glomalin-related soil protein
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