Role of trees and herbaceous vegetation beneath trees in maintaining arbuscular mycorrhizal communities in temperate alley cropping systems
Résumé
Better understanding of belowground interactions in agroforestry systems is crucial for the success of plant co-existence. Beyond root competition, associated arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi can also be involved in plant to plant interactions. Thus far, the contribution of each agroforestry component (trees, herbaceous vegetation beneath trees -HVbT- and crops) in the establishment and maintenance of AM communities is poorly documented, particularly in temperate areas. This study investigates the spatio-temporal dynamics of both roots and AM fungi in two alley-cropping sites located in southwestern France.