Progress 08/15/11 to 09/13/13
Outputs
Target Audience: The information we provide will be valuable in guiding future research efforts. Effort: Work has been presented at regional and national conferences (see products). In addition, Franklin Diggs has involved undergraduates at ESF during the academic year (in analysis of soil samples) and from other institutions during the summer field season (in a project comparing EM and AM colonization of ash roots). Changes/Problems: We originally intended to characterize fungal communities using molecular genetic techniques. It proved to be difficult to amplify DNA from the samples we collected, and this objective was not attained. We also expected to collect samples after fertilization commenced in these stands. We have not done so; we are waiting to be confident that a treatment response will be detectable. What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided? One graduate student, Franklin Diggs, has nearly completed a masters thesis and the preparation of a manuscript for Mycology. Several other students were partially supported on this project; all of them worked together in the field in New Hampshire and participate in lab group discussions in Syracuse. One undergraduate worked in the soils lab in Syracuse, and another took on a project in the field site in New Hampshire, under Franklin’s direction. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest? Franklin made presentations at various meetings and worked with undergraduate students, as described above. This work has led to new collaborations, including an NSF pre-proposal in 2013 involving Mark Green and Michele Pruyn at Plymouth State University, along with Yanai and Horton. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?
Nothing Reported
Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals?
1. Major activities completed: Roots from two soil depths in two forest stands were characterized for colonization by ectomychorrizal (EM) and arbuscular mychorrizal (AM) fungi. 2. Specific objectives met: We characterized the depth distribution of EM and AM mycorrhizal roots in these stands. 3. Significant results achieved, including major findings, developments, or conclusions (both positive and negative): We found that the rates of colonization decline with depth, as expected. Surprisingly, the ratio of EM to AM colonization did not decline with depth. 4. Key outcomes or other accomplishments realized: One graduate student has nearly completed a masters thesis on this topic and several other students gained skills in field work, laboratory techniques, and communicating research results. 5. Stated goals not yet met: We originally intended to characterize fungal communities using molecular genetic techniques. It proved to be difficult to amplify DNA from the samples we collected, and this objective was not attained. We also expected to collect samples after fertilization commenced in these stands. We have not done so; we are waiting to be confident that a treatment response will be detectable. We have collected leaves each year and analyzed them for N and P. There is no sign, yet, of a foliar nutrient response.
Publications
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Other
Year Published:
2013
Citation:
Diggs, F.D. 2013. Mychorrizal distribution in depth. West Thornton, NHHubbard Brook Ecosystem Study Annual Cooperators Meeting, July 11, 2013. Oral presentation. Slides available, http://www.esf.edu/melnhe/News/HB%20Meeting%202013.htm
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Other
Year Published:
2013
Citation:
Diggs, F.D., R.D.Yanai, T.R. Horton. Variance in mycorrhizal colonization in stands of mixed hosts. Rochester, NYRochester Academy of Science, November 10, 2012. Poster.
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Other
Year Published:
2013
Citation:
Diggs, Franklin, R.D. Yanai, and Thomas Horton. Mycorrhizal guilds decline similarly with depth in two northern hardwood forests. Minneapolis, MN-Ecological Society of America Annual Meeting, August 8, 2013.COS 89-5
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Progress 10/01/11 to 09/30/12
Outputs
OUTPUTS: In the second year of the project, we processed 44 additional root samples (for a total of 106) collected from two soil depths in two forest stands in New Hampshire. Roots were separated from soil and sorted into those with ectomychorrizal (EM) and arbuscular mychorrizal (AM) features. We obtained 90 new cores for root samples from 5 calcium fertilized plots during fall 2012. The soil has been saved for analysis and the roots were preserved for genetic analysis. PARTICIPANTS: Craig See remained responsible for overall coordination of the field effort. Franklin Diggs remained responsible for the lab work, which will be the basis of his MS thesis. Zak Krug (departmental work-study) and Pilar Lyons (volunteer) helped to sort roots from soil, at no cost to this project. Environmental Studies major Stephanie Anos helped with microscopy and root sorting aspects of this study to fulfill her Environmental Scholar research experience. Christina Kim, a high school senior, learned to assess VA colonization under an NSF RAHSS supplement. She is wheelchair bound, Asian-American, and female. Kikang Bae helped develop the protocol for separating roots from soil, and trained others in the procedure. Yi Dong helped prepare samples for analysis. TARGET AUDIENCES: The information we provide will be valuable in guiding future research efforts. Mark Green, Michele Pryn, and Tom Horton have a pending preliminary NSF proposal that will build on this study. PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: Nothing significant to report during this reporting period.
Impacts
Both AM and EM showed greater colonization in shallow soils (64 and 67%, respectively ) than in deep soils (24 and 28%, respectively) (p<0.05). Colonization rates are similar between EM and AM roots across soil depths (p=0.43) and in the length of root colonized (p=0.21).
Publications
- Diggs, F.D. 2012. Mycorrhizal patterns in depth. West Thornton, NH --Hubbard Brook Ecosystem Study Annual Cooperators Meeting, July 11, 2012. Oral presentation.
- Diggs, F.D., R.D.Yanai, T.R. Horton. Variance in mycorrhizal colonization in stands of mixed hosts. Rochester, NY--Rochester Academy of Science, November 10, 2012. Poster.
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Progress 10/01/10 to 09/30/11
Outputs
OUTPUTS: In the first year of the project, we processed 62 samples of roots collected from different soil depths in forest stands of different ages in field sites in New Hampshire the previous year. The roots have been separated from soil and sorted into those with EM and AM features. Initially, we hoped to identify EM fungi using molecular genetic techniques, but this proved impossible; the DNA had evidently degraded during processing and storage (the roots at depth were collected in 2010 and frozen). We are hoping to develop a genetic sequencing method to identify AM fungi. PARTICIPANTS: Craig See and Franklin Diggs are graduate students who were supported by this project. Craig is responsible for overall coordination of the field effort, and Franklin is responsible for the lab work. Franklin is using this project as the basis of his MS thesis. Zak Krug (departmental work-study) and Pilar Lyons (volunteer) helped to sort roots from soil, at no cost to this project. Environmental Studies major Stephanie Anos is helping with microscopy and root sorting aspects of this study to fulfill her Environmental Scholar research experience. Christina Kim, a high school senior, volunteered in the lab and learned to assess VA colonization. We are requesting an RAHSS supplement from NSF to support her participation; she is wheelchair bound, Asian-American, and female. TARGET AUDIENCES: The information we provide will be valuable in guiding future research efforts. Tom Horton and Melany Fisk (Miami University) intend to prepare a proposal for NSF based on the preliminary results of this study. PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: We are testing methods of characterizing VA fungi, as our attempts to characterize DNA from the EM fungi have not been successful. This will not change our ability to produce useful results, but the nature of the results is different from what we expected.
Impacts
Colonization of root length declined with soil depth, from an average of 61 (s.e. 5)% in the surface soil samples to an average of 33 (3) % at 30-50 cm depth. The colonization rate did not differ between EM and AM roots with soil depth or with soil age.
Publications
- Diggs, F., R. Yanai, and T. Horton 2011. Mycorrhizae distributions by depth in northern hardwood ecosystems. Rochester, NY - Rochester Academy of Science Meeting, October 29, 2011.
- Diggs, F., R. Yanai, and T. Horton 2011. Mycorrhizae distributions by depth in northern hardwood ecosystems. East Syracuse, NY - New York Society of American Foresters Winter Meeting, January 26, 2012.
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