ABSTRACT
In a study of the effects of different arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi on the growth of the clonal plant Prunella vulgaris, Streitwolf-Engel et al. (2001) showed that the number of ramets produced by the plant was significantly related to the mycorrhizal species (Fig. 5.5). They also showed, however, that stolon length and spacing between daughter plantlets was determined by host genotype, not directly under the influence of the mycorrhizal partner. As was the case in the study of McHugh (unpublished) on Spartina spp., we can see that both the presence of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi and the species composition of the mycorrhizal community influence the ability of clonal plants to colonize new areas by the production of stolons. This attribute provides the plant with greater competitive abilities, which could be used to enhance site restoration.
