Arbuscular-mycorrhizal
fungi (AMF) are fungal-root symbionts that help
plants acquire mineral nutrients in exchange for sugars (i.e. carbon).
In spite of the worldwide distribution of AMF,
our understanding of how AMF species and community composition
influence nutrient cycling, plant growth, and plant community
composition remains unclear. My research
investigates the effects of nutrient availability and nutrient
limitation on AMF community
composition. I am also interested in how the specific nutritional
demands of plants influence AMF species
composition. Distinguishing between plant vs. AMF control over
AMF community composition is often difficult because plants and fungi
occupy the same soil profile, contend with
similar
availabilties of nutrients, and are potentially limited by the same
nutrients. By producing a difference in nutrient limitation
between plants and AMF with the use of foliar fertilizer, I hope to
tease apart their separate influences.
I am
also interested
in the role AMF can play in restorating tropical forest. One of my reasons for studying the
effects
of nutrient limitation on AMF species composition is to discover
combinations of AMF species that afford the greatest benefit to host
plants. The discovery of such combinations can be applied toward
restoration projects where nutrient limitation is a barrier to seedling
establishment and growth. For
a more complete look at my ideas and methods, click thelink.