Impact of the invasive tree Ligustrum lucidum on arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi communities in Celtis tala forests of Buenos Aires, Argentina

Abstract

The presence of invasive plants has been identified as a soil disturbance factor, often conditioning the structure and function of soil microorganisms. Ligustrum lucidum W.T. Aiton has been reported as an invasive tree in several regions of the world, and despite it has been registered as a mycotrophic specie, the effect produced on the structure of AMF communities has never been assessed. The native dry forest dominated by Celtis tala Gill. ex Planch. and Scutia buxifolia Reiss. constitutes the main woodland community of the eastern plain in Buenos Aires province, Argentina.