Forb species benefit more than grasses from a diverse arbuscular mycorrhizal fungal community in semi-arid grasslands

Shpilkina, Yelyzaveta; Vasar, Martti; Asensio, Sergio; Ochoa, Victoria; Gozalo, Beatriz; Enste, Kolja; Zobel, Martin; de Bello, Francesco; van der Heijden, Marcel; Maestre, Fernando T.; Neuenkamp, Lena

doi:10.5194/we-26-119-2026

Articles | Volume 26, issue 2

https://doi.org/10.5194/we-26-119-2026

© Author(s) 2026. This work is distributed under
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.

https://doi.org/10.5194/we-26-119-2026

© Author(s) 2026. This work is distributed under
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.

Articles | Volume 26, issue 2

Standard article

|

29 Jul 2026

Standard article |

| 29 Jul 2026

Forb species benefit more than grasses from a diverse arbuscular mycorrhizal fungal community in semi-arid grasslands

Yelyzaveta Shpilkina, Martti Vasar, Sergio Asensio, Victoria Ochoa, Beatriz Gozalo, Kolja Enste, Martin Zobel, Francesco de Bello, Marcel van der Heijden, Fernando T. Maestre, and Lena Neuenkamp

Data sets

Dataset for "Effects of mycorrhizal fungi and the functional diversity of plants on ecosystem functioning: an experimental approach" Lena Neuenkamp abd Yelyzaveta Shpilkina https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.18924702

Model code and software

LoopingLena/MYFUN_experiment-paper_growthrate_grassdominance: v.1.2. RCode to MYFUN_experimental_paper1_grassdominance Lena Neuenkamp https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.20957440

Short summary

Our greenhouse study shows arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi drive robust root growth, while grasses boost aboveground yield. Crucially, commercial treatments can reduce fungal diversity, whereas forbs thrive with more diverse fungal communities. This research is vital for sustainable agriculture, proving that simply adding fungi is not enough. We must understand these specific interactions to truly enhance soil biodiversity and ecosystem health.