Date of Award
2019
Publisher
North Dakota State University
Document Type
Thesis
Degree Awarded
Master of Science (MS)
Program
Environmental and Conservation Science
Department
Biological Sciences
College
Graduate and Interdisciplinary Studies
Faculty Advisor
Aldrich-Wolfe, Laura
Description
Belowground fungi interact with plants directly as pathogens and mutualists, and indirectly as nutrient cyclers, yet the factors governing fungal community composition are poorly understood. Here I examined root and soil fungi of coffee (Coffea arabica) and eight native species in the coffee family to determine 1.) whether coffee management affects guild structure of fungal communities in coffee roots and 2.) relative importance of microclimate and plant host relatedness in structuring belowground fungal communities of coffee and forest Rubiaceae. Coffee management resulted in differences in the soil environment that were associated with the richness and abundance of several fungal guilds. Soil environment differed between coffee field and forest habitats. Light availability differed by tree species, and the effect of light niche on fungal community composition was indifferentiable from a host effect. These studies elucidate patterns of belowground fungal community composition related to environment and host and could guide coffee management.
Recommended Citation
Sternhagen, Elizabeth Christine, "Influences on Fungal Community Composition in Roots and Soil of Coffee and Other Rubiaceae in Costa Rica" (2019). Environmental and Conservation Sciences. 22.
https://digitalcommons.ndsu.edu/env-conservation-sci/22
Rights
NDSU Policy 190.6.2
Author ORCID Identifier
0000-0002-4599-1448
Handle Identifier
https://hdl.handle.net/10365/29307