The effect of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi on carbon dioxide (CO2) emission from turfgrass soil under different irrigation intervals

Abstract

Increased nutrient and/or water uptake by arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) symbiosis can affect soil biochemical properties and emission of the greenhouse gas carbon dioxide (CO2). Therefore, an experiment was designed to investigate the effect of AM fungi (AMF) on CO2 emissions from turfgrass. Three different AMF species (Funneliformis mosseae, Claroideoglomus etunicatum, and Rhizophagus irregularis) were used in this experiment. Turfgrass plants were cultivated in pots containing both mycorrhizal and non-mycorrhizal soils over a 10-week period. To mimic real-world conditions, the plants underwent irrigation cycles at intervals of 1, 2, and 3 days, replicating common irrigation practices in turfgrass fields. The research aimed to comprehensively understand the effects of AMF and varying irrigation intervals on CO2 emissions, soil characteristics, plant growth, and AMF parameters. It was observed that the changing irrigation intervals affected the AM symbiosis and this effect increased as the irrigation interval increased. It was determined that this AM symbiosis created with the plant significantly reduced CO2 emissions. In addition, it was determined that it regulates the soil structure and increases plant growth. In conclusion, it can be said that AMF species reduce CO2 emissions by reducing the need for water in the turfgrass.