Interactive effects of elevated atmospheric CO2 and arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi on biomass production
and N2 fixation were investigated using black locust (Robinia pseudoacacia). Seedlings were grown in growth
chambers maintained at either 350 μmol mol−1 or
710 μmol mol−1 CO2. Seedlings were inoculated with Rhizobium
spp. and were grown with or without AM fungi. The 15N isotope dilution method was used to determine N source
partitioning between N2 fixation and inorganic fertilizer uptake. Elevated atmospheric CO2 significantly increased
the percentage of fine roots that were colonized by AM fungi. Mycorrhizal seedlings grown under elevated CO2
had the greatest overall plant biomass production, nodulation, N and P content, and root N absorption.
Additionally, elevated CO2 levels enhanced nodule and root mass production, as well as N2 fixation rates, of non-
mycorrhizal seedlings. However, the relative response of biomass production to CO2 enrichment was greater in
non-mycorrhizal seedlings than in mycorrhizal seedlings. This study provides strong evidence that arbuscular
mycorrhizal fungi play an important role in the extent to which plant nutrition of symbiotic N2-fixing tree species
is affected by enriched atmospheric CO2.