Effects of liming on ectomycorrhizal community structure in relation to soil horizons and tree hosts

Liming is a forestry practice used to correct tree cation deficiency induced by soil acidity. Ectomycorrhizal (ECM) community structure and functioning is closely linked to soil nutrient availability, which is strongly affected by liming. The aim of this study was to assess the impact of liming on ECM community structure depending on soil horizon and tree host. Acidophilic species occurring in untreated plots, such as Russula ochroleuca, were absent from limed plots and were replaced by more generalist morphtoypes. The abundance of ECM root tips in the untreated plots was higher in topsoil layers, whereas most of the ECM root tips in the limed plots were in the organomineral layer, whatever the tree host. Liming was the major determinant of fungal community structure, then tree host.