15 N and 13 C natural abundance of autotrophic and myco-heterotrophic orchids provides insight into nitrogen and carbon gain from fungal association

•  Whereas mycorrhizal fungi are acknowledged to be the sources of nitrogen (N) and carbon (C) in achlorophyllous (myco-heterotrophic) orchids, the sources of these elements in autotrophic orchids are unknown. We have determined the stable isotope abundance of N and C to quantify their gain from dif...

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Veröffentlicht in:The New phytologist. - 1979. - 160(2003), 1 vom: 20. Okt., Seite 209-223
1. Verfasser: Gebauer, G (VerfasserIn)
Weitere Verfasser: Meyer, M
Format: Online-Aufsatz
Sprache:English
Veröffentlicht: 2003
Zugriff auf das übergeordnete Werk:The New phytologist
Schlagworte:Journal Article forest grassland myco-heterotrophy mycorrhiza orchids stable isotopes δ13C δ15N
Beschreibung
Zusammenfassung:•  Whereas mycorrhizal fungi are acknowledged to be the sources of nitrogen (N) and carbon (C) in achlorophyllous (myco-heterotrophic) orchids, the sources of these elements in autotrophic orchids are unknown. We have determined the stable isotope abundance of N and C to quantify their gain from different sources in these two functional groups and in non-orchids of distinctive mycorrhizal types. •  Leaves of each plant were collected from four forest and four grassland sites in Europe. The N and C isotope abundance, and total N concentrations of their tissues and of associated soils were determined. •  Myco-heterotrophic orchids were significantly more enriched in 15 N (ɛMHO-R = 11.5‰) and 13 C (ɛMHO-R = 8.4‰) than co-occurring non-orchids. δ15 N and δ13 C signatures of autotrophic orchids ranged from values typical of non-orchids to those more representative of myco-heterotrophic orchids. •  Utilization of fungi-derived N and C probably explains the relative 15 N and 13 C enrichment in the myco-heterotrophs. A linear two-source isotopic mixing model was used to estimate N and C gain of autotrophic orchids from their fungal associates. Of the putatively autotrophic species, Cephalanthera damasonium obtained the most N and C by the fungal route, but several other species also fell into the partially myco-heterotrophic category
Beschreibung:Date Revised 20.04.2021
published: Print
Citation Status PubMed-not-MEDLINE
ISSN:1469-8137
DOI:10.1046/j.1469-8137.2003.00872.x