ABSTRACT: For the first time, hybrids of Spartina alterniflora × foliosa are reported to form mycorrhizal associations. This is important in light of the invasion dynamics within San Francisco Bay—where Spartina hybrids are invading tidal habitats and causing functional changes in the ecosystem. Mycorrhizal associations can positively influence biomass production in invasive Spartina and may contribute to increased invasion success. Of the Spartina hybrids investigated, 83% were mycorrhizal. During hybridization, the ability to be mycorrhizal may be contributed by the native S. foliosa, also found to be mycorrhizal, whereas the introduced S. alterniflora is non-mycorrhizal in its native habitat. Seedlings of Spartina hybrids inoculated with a commercial mycorrhizal mix showed greater above-ground growth and total biomass compared to control plants in the greenhouse. Mycorrhizal associations have the po-tential to influence the invasion trajectory of hybrid Spartina in San Francisco Bay, but additional research is needed.
KEY WORDS: Mycorrhizae · Spartina spp. · Hybrid · Salt marsh · Mycorrhizal inoculation · Invasion
Full text in pdf format ![]() Information about this Feature Article ![]() | Cite this article as: Eberl R
(2011) Mycorrhizal association with native and invasive cordgrass Spartina spp. in San Francisco Bay, California. Aquat Biol 14:1-7. https://doi.org/10.3354/ab00378
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