Fungal necromass decomposition dynamics is driven by fungal physiological state at death
(2024) In Student thesis series INES NGEM01 20241Dept of Physical Geography and Ecosystem Science
- Abstract
- This study investigated how the physiological state at death affects the decomposition of Neurospora crassa necromass. The results showed that fungal necromass decomposition follows an asymptotic model, with initial rapid mass loss followed by a plateau phase. The study found that N. crassa physiological age at death significantly influences decomposition dynamics, with intermediate-aged necromass exhibiting greater resistance likely due to higher polysaccharide content. These findings support that fungal physiological state at death is likely a key driver in soil C cycling with some fungal necromass ages more likely to contribute to the formation of soil organic carbon than others.
The discussion of the study highlights the significance... (More) - This study investigated how the physiological state at death affects the decomposition of Neurospora crassa necromass. The results showed that fungal necromass decomposition follows an asymptotic model, with initial rapid mass loss followed by a plateau phase. The study found that N. crassa physiological age at death significantly influences decomposition dynamics, with intermediate-aged necromass exhibiting greater resistance likely due to higher polysaccharide content. These findings support that fungal physiological state at death is likely a key driver in soil C cycling with some fungal necromass ages more likely to contribute to the formation of soil organic carbon than others.
The discussion of the study highlights the significance of the findings in understanding soil C cycling and the formation of soil organic carbon. The study found that fungal physiological state at death is a critical factor in decay dynamics, with younger necromass decomposing faster and intermediate-aged necromass persisting longer in the soil. The results showed that polysaccharide content was a significant predictor of resistance to decomposition, suggesting that fungal necromass with higher polysaccharide content may contribute more to the formation of soil organic carbon. However, the study also notes that further research is needed to fully understand the long-term decomposition patterns of fungal necromass and to incorporate these findings into soil carbon models. The study concludes that considering fungal physiological state at death is essential for accurately predicting soil C cycling and developing effective soil management practices. (Less) - Popular Abstract
- We investigated how the age of a specific type of mushroom, Neurospora crassa, impacted the decomposition of its dead matter. Soil health and carbon storage are crucial for fighting climate change, and mushroom remains are a big part of the carbon found in soil. By understanding what factors impacted the decomposition of mushroom remains, we could better predict how carbon cycles through soil. This research aimed to shed light on the processes behind the breakdown of mushroom remains and their contribution to carbon storage in soil.
We used both lab and field experiments to explore how the age of the mushroom affected the breakdown of its dead matter in soil. In the lab, mushroom samples were grown under controlled conditions and... (More) - We investigated how the age of a specific type of mushroom, Neurospora crassa, impacted the decomposition of its dead matter. Soil health and carbon storage are crucial for fighting climate change, and mushroom remains are a big part of the carbon found in soil. By understanding what factors impacted the decomposition of mushroom remains, we could better predict how carbon cycles through soil. This research aimed to shed light on the processes behind the breakdown of mushroom remains and their contribution to carbon storage in soil.
We used both lab and field experiments to explore how the age of the mushroom affected the breakdown of its dead matter in soil. In the lab, mushroom samples were grown under controlled conditions and collected at different ages to obtain dead matter with varying qualities. In the field, bags containing the dead matter were buried in soil and dug up at different times to check how quickly it was breaking down in natural conditions. Chemical tests were also done to see what the dead matter was made of and how it changed during decomposition.
We found that the age of the mushroom affected how quickly its remains break down in soil. Younger mushroom remains decomposed faster, while older mushroom remains took longer to break down. This was due to the fact that older mushroom remains had higher levels of a specific type of carbohydrate, which made them more resistant to decomposition. The study also found that the decomposition of mushroom remains followed a specific pattern, with a rapid initial breakdown followed by a slower, steady rate of decomposition. These findings suggest that the age of fungi at death plays an important role in the cycling of carbon in soil and can impact carbon storage. (Less)
Please use this url to cite or link to this publication:
http://lup.lub.lu.se/student-papers/record/9172151
- author
- Lopes Ramos, Danny LU
- supervisor
- organization
- alternative title
- Do old fungi decompose fast?
- course
- NGEM01 20241
- year
- 2024
- type
- H2 - Master's Degree (Two Years)
- subject
- keywords
- Keywords: Physical Geography and Ecosystem analysis, Fungal necromass, Physiological state, soil organic carbon, Asymptotic model
- publication/series
- Student thesis series INES
- report number
- 670
- language
- English
- id
- 9172151
- date added to LUP
- 2024-08-26 12:31:04
- date last changed
- 2024-08-26 12:31:04
@misc{9172151, abstract = {{This study investigated how the physiological state at death affects the decomposition of Neurospora crassa necromass. The results showed that fungal necromass decomposition follows an asymptotic model, with initial rapid mass loss followed by a plateau phase. The study found that N. crassa physiological age at death significantly influences decomposition dynamics, with intermediate-aged necromass exhibiting greater resistance likely due to higher polysaccharide content. These findings support that fungal physiological state at death is likely a key driver in soil C cycling with some fungal necromass ages more likely to contribute to the formation of soil organic carbon than others. The discussion of the study highlights the significance of the findings in understanding soil C cycling and the formation of soil organic carbon. The study found that fungal physiological state at death is a critical factor in decay dynamics, with younger necromass decomposing faster and intermediate-aged necromass persisting longer in the soil. The results showed that polysaccharide content was a significant predictor of resistance to decomposition, suggesting that fungal necromass with higher polysaccharide content may contribute more to the formation of soil organic carbon. However, the study also notes that further research is needed to fully understand the long-term decomposition patterns of fungal necromass and to incorporate these findings into soil carbon models. The study concludes that considering fungal physiological state at death is essential for accurately predicting soil C cycling and developing effective soil management practices.}}, author = {{Lopes Ramos, Danny}}, language = {{eng}}, note = {{Student Paper}}, series = {{Student thesis series INES}}, title = {{Fungal necromass decomposition dynamics is driven by fungal physiological state at death}}, year = {{2024}}, }