Exploratory studies on mycobiota around the roots of invasive plants - case study Ailanthus altissima

It is known that specific and common fungal species can synthesize hydrolytic enzymes (amylases, proteases, cellulases, lipases, pectinases, xylanases) and organic acids, thus causing changes in soil pH and reducing the rate of decomposition processes in the soil. Ailanthus altissima is an aggressive invasive tree in Romania. We aim to analyse if fungal communities from soil are altered by the presence of A. altissima; thus we conducted a field soil sampling in microhabitats with different Ailanthus individuals’ density and age. Mycological analysis assessed the fungal load of the samples and the species with the highest frequency. In the field, we also measured the Ailanthus tree DBH in all stands, recording trees’ life stages, and their connection with the mycobiota`s species diversity. Results showed mycobiota`s biodiversity and its capacity to synthesize metabolites involved in soil decomposition. Analysis of the mycobiota around the roots of adults and root sprouts of A. altissima showed that the composition of the soil fungal community and the fungal activity require a longer invasion time to be affected.