Influences of double aerial CO2 concentration on plant root surface area and viability and infection intensity of vesicular-arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi

Using recently developed methods for root research, an investigation initia ted concerning effects of doubled atmospheric CO2 concentration on root sur face area and infection of vesicular-arbuscular mycorrhizal (VAM) fungi in seedlings of maize, wheat and soybean. Results showed that doubled CO2 conc entration significantly extended root system surface area and promoted VAM fungal infection intensity and viability. However, interspecific variation existed in these responses. It is suggested that plant community succession would be changed due to altered characteristics of roots among species in the future climate.