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Transfer of fixed-N from N2-fixing cyanobacteria associated with the moss Sphagnum riparium results in enhanced growth of the moss

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Abstract

Background

Despite the general assumption that nitrogen fixed by associated cyanobacteria will be readily utilised for growth by the Sphagnum, no empirical evidence is available in the literature. Therefore the effects of nitrogen transfer from cyanobacteria associated with S. riparium were investigated.

Methods

Cultivation of S. riparium with and without cyanobacteria was performed under laboratory conditions for 57 days.

Results

We show that nitrogen fixation by cyanobacteria associated with Sphagnum mosses, influences moss growth by transfer of fixed nitrogen to the moss. More than 35 % of the nitrogen fixed by cyanobacteria was transferred to the newly formed moss biomass and resulted in an increase in the growth of Sphagnum biomass compared to the controls. The variation in the increase of nitrogen content explained 76 % of the biomass increment.

Conclusion

Hence, nitrogen fixation will have immediate effect on the carbon fixation by Sphagnum. This shows that factors regulating nitrogen fixation will have a direct effect on the role of Sphagnum dominated ecosystems with respect to carbon cycling.

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Acknowledgments

We thank J. Johansson for help with analysis of carbon and nitrogen content as well as phosphorus analysis. We also thank Abisko Scientific Research Station for accommodation and assistance. Invaluable language editing was performed by Sees Editing Ltd. This work was financed by the Swedish National Research Council.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Thematic Studies - Water and Environmental Studies, Linkoping University, SE- 58183, Linköping, Sweden

    Andreas Berg, Åsa Danielsson & Bo H. Svensson

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  1. Andreas Berg
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  2. Åsa Danielsson
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  3. Bo H. Svensson
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Correspondence to Andreas Berg.

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Responsible Editor: Hans Lambers.

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Berg, A., Danielsson, Å. & Svensson, B.H. Transfer of fixed-N from N2-fixing cyanobacteria associated with the moss Sphagnum riparium results in enhanced growth of the moss. Plant Soil 362, 271–278 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11104-012-1278-4

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