DOI: 10.5061/dryad.6d3h7
title: Data from: Liverworts to the rescue: an investigation of their efficacy as mycorrhizal inoculum for vascular plants

description: Pezoloma ericae (D.J. Read) Baral, a widespread mycorrhizal fungus of
 plants in the Ericales, is known to form intracellular associations with
 several families of leafy liverworts (Schistochilaceae, Lepidoziaceae,
 Cephaloziaceae, Cephaloziellaceae) in vitro. The ecological significance
 of this link between vascular and non-vascular plants is unknown. Fungal
 symbionts were isolated from rhizoids of the leafy liverworts Cephalozia
 connivens (Dicks.) Lindb. and C. bicuspidata (L.) Dum. (Cephaloziaceae),
 as well as from the hair roots of two dominant ericoid mycorrhiza-forming
 species of European heathlands, Erica tetralix (L.) and Calluna vulgaris
 (L.). Using pure cultures of P. ericae, we resynthesized liverwort–fungus
 associations to use colonized liverworts as inoculum which was applied to
 substrates supporting the growth of heather seedlings and cuttings.
 Effects were quantified using germination, rooting, plant colonization,
 plant survival under waterlogging stress and growth in height in
 experimental systems with and without liverworts and/or fungi. Fungal
 symbionts growing from liverwort rhizoids readily colonized the hair roots
 of ericaceous plants to form typical ericoid mycorrhizas. The presence of
 inoculum-bearing liverworts led to significant increases in plant growth.
 Erica tetralix was more responsive to inoculation than C. vulgaris.
 Ericaceous cuttings rooted and survived more successfully when they were
 coplanted with previously colonized liverwort stems. We demonstrate, under
 realistic ecological circumstances, that liverworts can deliver
 mycorrhizal inoculum and improve the establishment of vascular plants. We
 propose that by providing sources of mycorrhizal inoculum, symbiotic
 non-vascular plants can contribute to the restoration of plant communities
 dominated by Ericales plants. This research leads to broader knowledge
 about the function of ericoid mycorrhizas in ecosystems.
description: Exp_1A_survival of Erica
 tetralixPlant survival (a or d
 for alive or dead) at 20 weeks, following treatments: control (no
 treatment); fungus (isolate of axenically-grown Pezoloma ericae); or
 liverwort (bearing ericoid inoculum)E1A_surv_dryad.csvsingle stem biomass correlates with heightbiomass and height measurements for a single stem of Erica tetralixss_biomass_ht_dryad.csvmulti-stem biomass correlates with htbiomass (dryweight) and height measurements for multi-stem Erica tetralix plants, approximately 1 year oldms_biomass_ht_dryad.csvE1B_Erica tetralix height, 27wErica height (cm) at 27 weeks, control and inoculated (with liverworts re-synthesized with ericoid mycorrhizal fungus). Maximum height = base to top of lead branch; Total height = maximum height plus length of all branches.E1B_Er_ht_27w_dryad.csvE1B_Calluna vulgaris height, 27wCalluna height (cm) at 27 weeks, control and inoculated (with liverworts re-synthesized with ericoid mycorrhizal fungus). Maximum height = base to top of lead branch; Total height = maximum height plus length of all branches.E1B_Cal_ht_27w_dryad.csvE1C_Erica tetralix height, 11wErica height (cm) at 11 weeks, control and inoculated (liverworts bearing ericoid inoculum). Maximum height = base to top of lead branch; Total height = maximum height plus length of all branches.E1C_Er_ht_11w_dryad.csvE1C_Calluna vulgaris height, 11wCalluna height (cm) at 11 weeks, control and inoculated (liverworts bearing ericoid inoculum). Maximum height = base to top of lead branch; Total height = maximum height plus length of all branches.E1C_Cal_ht_11w_dryad.csvE2_Erica tetralix seedlings, height at 11wErica seedlings measured (mm) at 11 wk, control and treated with liverworts (bearing ericoid inoculum).E2_Er_sdlng_11w_dryad.csvE2_Calluna vulgaris seedling height at 11wCalluna seedlings measured (mm) at 11 wk; control and treated with liverworts (bearing ericoid inoculum).E2_Cal_sdlng_11w_dryad.csv