| dc.description.abstract | The Calabrian trees (Pinus brutia) are negatively affected by climate change due to prolonged
and intense fires, as well as extended drought, especially in the summer. One main problem
that may arise, is the under-development of the species and its time of maturity until the next
fire incident. While research on the effects of climate change on the Calabrian trees continues
to expand, as well as some methods to mitigate these effects, there has been very limited
research on the mitigation of these effects using ectomycorrhiza in the earliest stages of trees’
development, while they are seedlings. This experiment could provide knowledge about the
impact of early inoculation on seedlings’ development and consequently mature trees’
development. Overall, this study aimed to investigate the effect of ectomycorrhizal (ECM)
spores’ inoculation, on four-months-old Pinus brutia seedlings, focusing on aboveground
development as well as the water and nutrient uptake of the seedling. Sixty large pots were
prepared and four treatment groups were created, regarding the irrigation and the inoculation
status – Inoculation: Yes/No, Water: 300ml/1000ml. During the experimental period, from April
to July, once a month, seedlings’ height, soil humidity, soil nitrate, ammonium, and phosphate
concentrations were measured. ECM inoculation as well as its interaction with the water
treatment significantly affected the percentage growth of shoot height. The inoculated
seedlings showed less increase than the non-inoculated seedlings. ECM inoculation didn’t
significantly affect the percentage change in stem height. Nitrate concentration in soil showed
a higher plant uptake in the final month. In non-inoculated pots, a significant increase occurred
possibly due to higher nitrification rates and lower plant uptake. Ammonium concentration was
affected by the inoculation and its interaction with the water treatment. One of the inoculated
groups contained much higher ammonium content than any other treatment group. Probably
because of the ability of ECM to stabilise ammonium and prevent it from being converted to
nitrate quickly. Additionally, regarding phosphates, the inoculation caused a larger uptake by
the seedlings, especially during May-June. Soil humidity was only significantly affected by water
treatment, and not by inoculation. As expected, there was a gradual reduction of soil humidity,
due to high temperatures. ECM infection rates were much higher in inoculated seedlings
(100%) compared to non-inoculated seedlings (16.7%). Overall, the results suggest that early
ECM inoculation allows for greater nutrient absorption by seedlings, higher resilience for
abiotic stresses (e.g., high temperature), and less investment in aboveground development. | |
