Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi-Mediated Reconfiguration of Poplar Leaf C-N-P Metabolic Networks: Environment-Dependent Synergies and Nutrient Interactions

TL;DR

This study shows how arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) help poplar trees manage carbon, nitrogen, and phosphorus in leaves, depending on soil nutrients.

Contribution

The study reveals AMF as a central hub that reconfigures leaf C-N-P metabolic networks in an environment-dependent manner.

Findings

AMF improves P storage and photosynthesis under low Pi conditions.

AMF enhances carbon assimilation efficiency under high Pi conditions.

AMF reprograms N assimilation pathways based on NO3− availability.

Abstract

The regulatory mechanisms by which AMF modulate the integrated carbon (C)-nitrogen (N)-phosphorus (P) metabolic network in woody plant leaves remain unclear. We investigated how varying nitrate (NO3−) and phosphate (Pi) supply, with or without AMF inoculation, reshapes the leaf metabolic network in poplar seedlings. Key findings reveal that AMF acts as a central metabolic hub, optimizing C-N-P coordination in an environment-dependent manner. Under low Pi, NO3− supply enhanced P remobilization and photosynthetic efficiency, boosting growth. AMF further optimized low-Pi adaptation by promoting P storage and buffering, significantly improving photosynthesis and biomass. Under high Pi, NO3− supply shifted focus towards enhancing Rubisco-mediated carbon assimilation. AMF synergistically improved carbon assimilation efficiency and suppressed non-essential P recycling. N metabolism effects of Pi were contingent on NO3− availability, and AMF reprogrammed N assimilation pathways accordingly, balancing uptake and utilization under different N regimes. Critically, AMF orchestrated environment-specific metabolic adjustments, reinforcing P buffering and photosynthetic gain under Pi limitation, and enhancing C assimilation efficiency while minimizing P waste under Pi sufficiency. This study demonstrates that poplar leaf C-N-P networks are reconfigured through N-P synergisms modulated by AMF, positioning AMF as a pivotal integrator of nutrient acquisition and allocation. These insights provide a physiological foundation for developing efficient forestry nutrient management and mycorrhizal application strategies.

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